THE CHURCH OF CHRIST-ITS ESTABLISHMENT
Matt. 16: 13-20
Introduction: Practically all Bible students are agreed that the
Lord has a church in the world today, but there is widespread
disagreement as to the time of the church's establishment. To some
people the time element is a matter of little consequence, but the
error of that contention will become evident as we proceed with
this study. In fact, it is impossible to understand the teaching of
the Bible regarding the church without some knowledge of the time
of its establishment. Therefore, in considering this lesson, let
us notice :
I. THE DEFINITIONS OF SOME: RELATED TERMS
1. The institution or organization known as the church is also
known by other names, and a correct conception of their meanings
is necessary to an understanding of the subject now before us.
2. In addition to the word "church," we shal!, in this study,
consider two other terms which are applied to that institution-
viz.: "Idngdom" and "body."
(1) If the institution is viewed from the standpoint of its
government, it is very properly spoken of as a kingdom. It is
not, however, a representative democracy, but is an absolute mon-
archy. All the departments of government-legislative, judicial,
and executive-are vested in Jesus Christ as absolute king.
(2) If the institution is spoken of from the standpoint of its
organization, it is called a body, the figure being based upon the
likeness of the human body in which we dwell. (Cf. I Cor. 12:
12ff.) The body, of course, must have a head, from which all the
members get their authority, and to which every faithful member
must be in strict obedience and accord. By the use of the term
"body," the unity of the organization is emphasized.
(3) If the institution is considered from the standpoint of its
relation to the world, it is referred to as a church, which means
the called out, the separated, or those who are distinct from the
world, having been called out of it by the gospel. (Cf. John 15:
19; 17: 15, 16; 2 Thess. 2: 13, 14.)
3. It depends, therefore, upon what angle one wants to view the
institution, or from what consideration he wants to study it, as to
what it should be called.
II. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TIME ELEMENT
1. Some people thinks that it is not necessary to know when
the church was established, but in this they are mistaken, for if
one is wrong as to the beginning of the church, he is likelv to be in
error as to the conditions of membership in it.
2. Then, too, erroneous theories as to the time of the church's
establishment have resulted in some unscriptural doctrines regard-
ing salvation. And if it can be shown that these theories are in-
correct, it will, of course, be evident that the doctrines which
grew-out of them are likewise false. Some of these theories are:
(1) That the church was an eternal covenant between the
Father and the Son, and that it was established long before
time as we know it began, having its membership definitely fixed,
so much so that, from that hour unto this, it has neither been in-
creased nor diminished by a single soul. Growing out of this
theory is the doctrine popularly known as Calz4nism, or the doc-
trine of election and probation. But if the theory that gave rise to
the doctrine is false, then the doctrine itself must also be false.
(2) That the church was established in the days of Abraham,
and, since there were infants in the Abmhatnic institution, the doc-
trine of infant church membership has grown out of this theory.
But if the theory is false, so also must be the doctrine growing out
of it.
(3) That the church was established in the days of John
the Baptist, and, hence, it is perfectly proper for the church to wear
his name. However, the doctrine growing out of the theory can-
not be true, unless it can be shown that the theory itself is correct.*
III. THE TESTIMONY OF THE SCRIPTURES
1. Dan. 2: 1-45. "In the days of those kings" (verse 44), that
is, the Caesars and Herods.
2. Matt. 16: 13-20. The prediction here is future. It cannot
refer to enlargement or edification, as some claim, for Jesus speaks
of building the church from the foundation.
3. Mark 9: 1. (Cf. Luke 24: 46-49; Acts 1: 8; 2: 1-4.)
IV. THE CHURCH WAS ESTABLISHED ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST
1. Prior to the day of Pentecost of Acts 2: 1, the church or
kingdom is always spoken of as being in the future. (Cf. Matt.
3: 2; 4: 17; 10: 5-7.)
2. The events of Pentecost are plainly a fulfillment of the
predictions made concerning the coming church or kingdom. (Cf.
Matt. 16: 19 and Peter's work as recorded in Acts 2.)
3. After Pentecost the inspired writers always speak of the
church as being in existence. (Cf. Acts 8: 1; 9: 31; 11: 15.
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