Questions Concerning The Church
(Editor's note: After living well past the century milestone, Mark Collis died only five or six years ago. For many years as Minister of the Broadway Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky — which he always referred to as the "Broadway Church of Christ" — Collis represented the best and most conservative teaching in that group. In any discussion of "Christian Church baptism" we feel a clear distinction should be made between the teaching and practice of such men as Collis, and the teaching of the ultra liberals of the present day. This article from Collis was published in 1927.)
With most of the answers below, only one Scripture reference is given. It would be well, with the aid of a concordance or a reference Bible, to look up other proof-texts.
On what is the church founded? On Christ, the Son of the living God; the anointed Prophet, Priest and King — the Prophet who makes God's will known to us, the Priest who obtains forgiveness for sinners through the sacrifice that He offers, the King to whom all authority in the church is given. (Matt. 16:13-20) This is the only foundation. The church can not be built on human creeds or systems of theology, for "other foundation can no man lay than is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 3:11)
Where and when was the church established? In Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection of our Saviour. Then the Holy Spirit was bestowed on the apostles; then the gospel, the glad tidings of salvation through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, was preached for the first time (1 Cor. 15:1-4); then for the first time the Spirit through the preached Word convicted men of the sin of unbelief; of the righteousness of Christ, who had been put to death, and of the judgment that had been passed upon Satan and his servants, who had condemned Christ. (John 16:7-11) Before Pentecost the church was spoken of as not yet existing (Matt. 16:18); after that day it was spoken of as an existing institution. (Acts 5:11; 8:1,3)
What is the church called in the New Testament? The church (Eph. 1:22); the church of Christ (Matt. 16:18); the church of God (Gal. 1:13); the body of Christ (Col. 1:24); the kingdom (Matt. 16:19); the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:23)
Who are members of the church? All who are born again, born of water and the Spirit (John 3:3,5), and are walking, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom. 8:5, 10)
What if one sins after becoming a member of the church? Does that sin put him out of the church? If he sins continually and willfully, and does not repent, he has no part in the kingdom of God. (1 John 3:8) But, if one repents and confesses his sin, he has an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and God, who is just and righteous, will forgive his sins (1 John 1:9) There is no place in the church for an impenitent sinner; but God's grace is sufficient for every one, no matter how weak he may be, if he repents and seeks divine mercy.
Is there any great, visible organization in the world that is identical with the church? No. God alone adds to the church (Acts 2:47); for He alone knows who is a really penitent believer, and He alone knows who is worthy of a place in His spiritual kingdom and who should be removed as a dead branch. (Heb. 12:23) But every individual may know whether or not he is a member of the church; for if he, as a baptized believer, is honestly seeking to do the Lord's will, the Spirit of God bears witness with his spirit that he is a child of God. (Rom. 8:16)
Is there any other sense in which the term "church" is Scripturally used? Yes. The local church is spoken of as a church. We read of the church of God in Corinth. (1 Cor. 1:2); the church of the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 1:1); the church at Antioch. (Acts 13:1) So we may speak of the church in such and such a place.
How did persons become members of these local churches? By faith in Jesus Christ, by repentance, by confession, by baptism. (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:12; 8:26-39; 16:27-34)
What are members of the church called in the New Testament? Believers (1 Tim. 4:12); children of God (1 John 3:10); brethren (Rom. 12:1); saints (1 Cor. 1:2); the elect (Rom. 8:33); Christians. (1 Pet. 4:16) These names are all used in letters contained in the New Testament, which were written by inspired men to churches and individual Christians for their guidance. When the church reached the Gentile world at Antioch the name "Christians" appeared, and it embraces all the other names for members of the church. (Acts 11:26)
For the furtherance of the kingdom of God, may we organize religious denominations and give them distinguishing names, names taken from some form of church government, or from a distinguished religious leader, or from a church ordinance? No. Such a practice is unscriptural. Paul declares it to be carnal (1 Cor. 3:1-4; 1 Cor. 11:19), and classes it with works of the flesh. (Gal. 5:20)
If we use Scriptural names to distinguish religious bodies — for example, the saints church, the church of the elect, the disciples church — would would be wrong? It certainly would, for such a practice involves the making of divisions or sects; we are forbidden even the use of the name "Christ" in a divisive manner in the church. (1 Cor. 1:12)
May we speak of one body or one branch of the church as the saints? the elect? the disciples? No; that is practically the same as saying "the saints church," "the disciples church," etc. The definite article "the" is exclusive with regard to all others. Would it not be presumption for any class to say "we are the elect," "we are the disciples," etc.? Let us be careful how we use the terms "branches" and "bodies" in connection with the church of God. There is only "one body," the church itself; of that Christ is the head (Eph, 4:4,15); believers, not sects are "branches" of the true vine. (John 15:5)
NOTE — The term "disciple," used so frequently today, is not found once in the New Testament Epistles. Surely the Holy Spirit had a purpose in dropping that term, which had been used during the earthly ministry of our Saviour and in the early days of the church. Let us not be wiser than the Spirit of truth.
Should the church do missionary work? Yes, the great commission is given to the church. (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16) Philip, the deacon, went to Samaria preaching (Acts 8:5); scattered disciples preached in Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch to unbelieving Jews (Acts 11:19); brethren from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and preached the Lord Jesus to the Greeks (Acts 11:20); Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the church at Antioch to preach Christ to the Gentile world (Acts 13:2-4), and when they had completed their first missionary journey they made their report to the church that sent them out. (Acts 14:26, 27)
Who supported these missionaries? Paul largely supported himself by working at his trade as a tentmaker (Acts 20:34; Acts 18:3), but he also received contributions to aid him in his work. (Phil. 4:16) Paul taught that ministers and missionaries are entitled to a support (1 Cor. 9:14); in most cases this is necessary that they may give themselves wholly to the work. (1 Tim. 4:15)
Should the poor be cared for? Yes, by their own kindred (1 Tim. 5:8); by their brethren individually (Jas. 2:15,16); by the church (Acts 2:5); by churches cooperating. (Rom. 15:25, 26)
May churches co-operate in missionary work? Certainly. If the Philippian brethren sent to aid Paul in Thessalonica, the Philippians and the Thessalonians might help him in Berea.
Has any human organization authority over a local church? No; the elders are the rulers of the church (1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:7,17); but they should rule only as they carry out the authority of Christ, the head of the church. (Eph. 1:22), as it is made known in the New Testament.
Are there any churches conforming to the principles presented in the above answers, churches that are free from all human authority in matters of religious faith and practice recognizing only the authority of Christ 'as expressed in the New Testament? Yes, there are many in Japan, in Mexico, in Africa and in other countries. May their number be greatly increased.