FOUR CHURCHES
Robert E. Patenaude, Th.D.

INTRODUCTION

The word "Church" refers to people who are called out on some definite principle, and come together for some definite purpose. The particular people, principle, and purpose with which you are dealing must be determined from the context of the passage you are studying. The mistake made by many Baptists (as I identify with Baptist peoples) in our day is that of applying the same grand usage of the word to every context where the word "church" is found. This kind of failure to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), and failure to compare spiritual things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13) has led to Baptist "Bride-ism," Romanism, Campbellism ("Church of Christ," American style) and many other cults and factions. Failure to distinguish between usage according to context is also the cause of the general weakness in our times in Scripture knowledge and application. Pastors and others spiritualize and devotionalize the Scriptures away to hold either to a modern evangelical use for the word "church," (sometimes called the "Universal Church") or to a century-old hyper-local church position ("Carrollism") which denies the fullness of Christ. Both extremes come preconceived to the Scriptures, based on motive - that of the given adherents.

Pagan worshippers are called "churches" (Acts 19:37), because they are people called out and assembled; and that to worship a false deity. They were meeting the basic definition of the word "church" - they were called out and assembled. Is the King James Bible mistaken by using the word "churches" in this context? Certainly not! The Holy Spirit gave us these references so that we would know better than to believe that "church" always fits the Baptist Brider's or Vatican's definitions (there are similarities between the two).

It is interesting to note the New Testament books where the word "church" is never used. They are Mark, Luke, John, 2 Timothy, Titus, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John and Jude. The books containing the most frequent usage are Acts, Revelation, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians and Ephesians. The reasons will yield fruitful study, and so we give this listing. We don't have space here, however, to follow this line out. You may want to do that yourself.

James Christopher Smith was correct when he wrote that the word church "is never applied to a building or edifice, but always to people; never to the place of assembly, but to those assembled; not to the place of worship, but to the worshippers."

The following will be a study from the exact words of the King James Bible, Authorized Version of 1611. It will disregard tradition and the Baptist handbooks. I encourage all readers to examine the Scripture references as you come across them.

Now on to visit the Four Churches. First we meet……..


THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS - Acts 17:38

The first "church" in the Bible consisted of the Children of Israel; an assembly which was called out of Egypt into the wilderness for definite purposes. This is the church in the wilderness, led by God's servant Moses (Acts 7:38). Israel was corporately God's firstborn son (Ex. 4:22) and God called that son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1). Yes, Hosea prophesied of God's only begotten Son, Jesus (Matthew 2:15), because Israel as a corporate Nation was an O.T. type of Christ. The fact that Hosea 11 refers to the Nation of Israel coming out from under Pharaoh's bondage, however, is in no way negated. This church consisted of a single chosen and assembled Nation, not relying on its individual members all being regenerated.

Some of the Israelites were mere specks of the "dust of the earth" (Genesis 13:14-17), enjoying in their earthly lives God's blessings and protection upon the physical Nation through which He would bring forth His Savior and King Son. Those were mere earthly seed. Others, though, followed the faith of Abraham, and are typified by the untellable stars of heaven (Genesis 15:5,6). Those will, in the resurrection of Israel, ascend to be more than a mere earthly people, along with receiving the land and Kingdom promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Christ. This, though, is not the New Testament Church (the Body of Christ).

Israel was a "congregation," and thus a church. See Exodus 16:2; 29:44; 33:7; Lev. 10:17; 16:33; Psalm 22:22; Isaiah 14:13; Joel 2:16. Just take your concordance and start looking up all of the Old Testament references to "congregation," and you will see that this word describes Israel.

Israel was an "assembly," again meeting the definition of a church. As with "congregation" use your concordance and run the words "assembly" and "solemn assembly(ies)" and "assemble." Examples include Isa. 11:12; 48:14; Jer. 4:5; Eze. 11:17; Deut. 9:10; 10:4; 18:16; Ps. 107:32; 111:1; Lev. 23:36; Num. 29:35; Neh. 8:18.

Treat what we are writing here with this caution: Israel, as an Old Testament Church should never be mistaken with any New Testament Church, the local churches of the New Testament era, or the "church" of Covenant Theology. We are allowing contexts to determine the usage of a term. We are not mixing distinct bodies of people.

The members of this Old Testament Church, Israel, were those physically born in the seed line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with the promises and privileges thereof. Members could be added from among Gentiles - "strangers," under the God-ordained conditions, including circumcision (Ex. 12:48; 33:34; Josh. 5:2-5; many other passages). Membership could be stripped (Ex. 12:19; Lev. 17:8; Num. 15:30; 1 Corinthians 10:5; many other passages).


THE CHURCH BUILT UPON THE ROCK - Matthew 16:18

This church is the extension of Israel - redeemed Israel under her King and His Kingdom principles (Matthew chs. 5-7), and potentially under the New Covenant (Matthew 16:16-19; Hebrews 8; Jeremiah 31:31). There is no Scriptural warrant to suppose that Jesus' disciples understood anything more in Matthew 16 than the fulfillment of the Kingdom promises made to Israel - "keys of the kingdom of heaven" (16:19). The earthly ministry of Jesus Christ before His sufferings on Calvary was specifically to Israel - the circumcision (Matthew 15:24; Romans 15:8), "for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers." The subject of a New Testament church or churches as we have known them since Acts 15 have no place in the promises made unto the fathers of Israel. The New Testament Church and churches are not subjects of Old Testament prophecy. Neither John the Baptist or Jesus Christ came to establish any New Testament Church, at least not during Messiah's earthly ministry. The New Testament Church was established by the resurrected and ascended Head, in His ministry seated in the heavenlies; in His Father's Throne. Nowhere did John, Jesus, or the Disciples declare that anything like the Body of Christ was "at hand" during their earthly ministries. Many mistake "the kingdom" for Christendom - Bible believers know better. Matthew chapter two gives the "ecclesiastical" scope of the first coming and earthly ministry of our Lord and Savior.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Harod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (Matthew 2:1,2)

Notice that those wise men did not ask, "where is he that is born Head of the Church?" Why? Because He was not born Head of the Church, but was born King of the Jews. He was resurrected and ascended to be Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:17-23). The difference between the "days of [Jesus'] flesh" (Hebrews 5:7) and Christ's ministry from the "heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3), disregarded by many, is of vital importance in the eternal purposes of God. We ignore these differences to our own detriment in understanding the things of God.

John came baptizing for the purpose of manifesting Israel's King to the Nation (John 1:31); the recipients of which having some way to identify his baptism with the acts of Elias the forerunner (Malachi 4: Matthew 17:9-13; Mark 9:11-13; and the whole chapter of Matthew 11). John is the only Baptist found in the Bible, and his baptism had no relationship to the New Testament Church or to the churches of God. The Baptism of John was directly related to the washings found in the service of the Tabernacle. Since it had to do with the announcement of the arrival of the Prophet like unto Moses (Deut. 18:15), the people could have referred back to the baptism "in the cloud and in the sea" (1 Corinthians 10:4).

Israel as a nation should have welcomed and received both the forerunner (Matthew 11:14) and the King, Jesus Christ. They did not (John 1:11)! The nation, with rare individual exception, was so entrenched in the traditions of men (the oral traditions later recorded in the Talmud, for example), and so wrapped up in self-righteousness (see Romans 10:1-3), that their leaders went about to destroy Him. Eventually, they turned over their King to be murdered at the hands of Rome. Israel murdered the Lord of Glory (Acts 2:23)!

Israel could have received Him (Matthew 11:28; 23:37). Had they done so, Caesar's thugs, occupying Palestine in that day would have arrested Christ for sedition against the Emperor. Rome would have crucified Christ, and would have borne all the guilt of that murder. Christ would still have shed His precious Blood for the sins of all men, as He did. The perfect sin offering would still have been made, and redemption would still have been accomplished, as it was. The difference? Israel would not have suffered that guilt as a Nation.

Had Israel received their King - Jesus Christ, Rome would have murdered the True King. But three days and three nights later, the prophecies of David (Ps. 16) and Jonah (Matthew 12:40) would still have been fulfilled, as they were. The world would indeed have a Risen Savior! The difference? The believing remnant of Israel, after being protected by God in the wilderness - yes, the extension of the church in the wilderness (Revelation ch. 12 with Psalm 55:6,7; Psalm 57; other) - for the fulfillment of Daniel's 70th week, would have shortly afterward received the Kingdom, as promised by Peter in Acts 3:19-21. The Kingdom which was "at hand" could have been established on this earth by 50 AD. The New Covenant (Hebrews ch. 8) would have been realized without a New Testament Church era (e.g. without a "Church Age" as we have come to know it). Remember that the New Testament Church - the Body of Christ - was never a subject of Old Testament prophecy.

Literal Gates

"The gates of hell" (Matthew 16:18) are literal gates! There is no cross-reference in Scripture to indicate that the phrase "gates of hell" refers to the influence of demonic forces. Many Baptists want us to believe that "…the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" means that Hell's influence shall not prevail in stopping the perpetuity and succession of local Baptist churches through the church age. This is ballooned thinking, and gross failure to believe the Words of the living God literally. Hell has gates made of bars (Jonah 2:2,6)! Hell has keys (Revelation 20:1)! Believing members of the Church in the Wilderness - Old Testament Israel - were confined there in Hell (in the heart or center of the earth); that part that is called Abraham's Bosom (Luke 16:19-31). Jesus Christ went there upon His death (Ephesians 4:9), preached to the spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:19), led out the believing members of the Church in the Wilderness - the captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8), and resurrected and ascended to His Father (4:9) with the souls of departed members of His church (the only one being built and revealed at that time) following hard on! The resurrection of their bodies (Ezekiel 37) is yet future. Although believers, having the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:12, 16 - that's why they were in Abraham's bosom, or Paradise), their souls could not enter into the presence of God until sin and sins had been dealt with by one eternal Blood offering. "The way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest…" (Hebrews 9:8), and the Forerunner - Christ had to first enter with His own Blood (Heb. 6:20; 9:11,12).

If any still insist that Matthew 16:18 teaches the perpetuity and succession of local Baptist churches through history, then I must ask four questions:

1. )Where is the Bible cross-reference to prove that "gates" means influence?
   
2. )What do the "keys of the kingdom of heaven" have to do with your local church? [Maybe you are confusing the kingdom with individual salvation or with Christendom.]
   
3. )Where is there one local church or succession of churches on earth that the influence of Hell couldn't destroy before next Sunday morning? [Remember that this is Laodicea, and the devil is destroying Baptist and other Bible-believing churches on a daily basis.]
   
4. )What Bible passage teaches that there was any plan for a church age or era? Even Paul, with advanced revelation from the ascended Head of the Church had no idea that this age would last beyond his own lifetime, let alone for the following two millennia! Paul was looking for the Son of God from Heaven (not for local church perpetuity) until they removed his hat rack in Rome.
   

The Church on the Rock is composed of those who would "observe all things whatsoever [Christ] commanded" (Matthew 28:20) during His earthly ministry. Let's see some of those things which He commanded.

1. )Don't go to Gentiles or Samaritans (Matt. 10:5) They did do so, once commanded by their ascended Head (Acts 8, 10);
   
2. )Only go to Israel (10:6);
   
3. )Preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand (10:7). It's strange that the closer we get to the Lord's coming, the less we hear messages on the coming Kingdom of Christ, which IS the kingdom of heaven!;
   
4. )Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils (10:8). Yep, so why do we criticize the faith healers and the Charismatic movement?;
   
5. )Freely ye have received, freely give (10:8). So why are Baptist mission agencies in America collecting free-will offerings from churches and lending it to foreign nationals, and demanding repayment with usury (?) while claiming to be something found in Matthew 16:18 and 28:20!;
   
6. )You can't take any money on your person to do the work of the ministry (10:9);
   
7. )You can't even take carry-on luggage to the mission field (10:10);
   
8. )You can't own a second set of clothes! (10:10);
   
9. )You can't even take a walking stick! (10:10);
   
10. )As you go, God will provide you with food (daily bread - Matthew 6), enough loose change, clothes, should they ever wear out, etc., by people that God will have there to supply your need (loaves and fishes, etc.) The story of the boy with the loaves and fishes is not just for teaching kindergartners! There is kingdom doctrine regarding the daily supply of the King's messengers as they go into all the world during Daniel's 70th week;
    
11. )Go to one city and find a house of believers, and stay, live, and eat in that house until you leave that city. God will bring to you those who will hear the Word (10:11-14; Luke 9:4). This example is given in the Gospels precisely as the method of the Lord Jesus Himself (Mark 2:1-12; Matthew 9:9-13; 12:46-50; Mark 9:33ff ; Luke 19:5-9);
    
12. )No witnessing in the streets (Luke 10:4);
    
13. )No house-to-house visitation (Luke 10:7).
    

The things listed above are not figurative, symbolic, or spiritual. They are literal! They are all commandments of our Lord, and were never withdrawn during His earthly ministry, or during His post-resurrection teachings to His disciples, or during the early Acts period. I recommend that any Baptist preacher who is not obeying the above commandments quit trying to tie his ministry to Matthew 16:18 and 28:20. Be honest - you are not "observing all things whatsoever [Christ has] commanded you." Trying to spiritualize the above to make it fit what you are doing in the ministry won't help you, if your conscience is in tune with the Holy Ghost.

When the Church on the Rock resumes it's ministry after the translation and departure of the Body of Christ (led by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists to the world - Revelation 7 & 14), all of the above will constitute that church's methods once again, except for the avoidance of Gentiles. Daniel's 70th Week will begin. When His Body is gone, There will be a remnant of Israel that will believe on Christ, and the remainder will be destroyed. 144,000 Jewish evangelists will go to the Gentiles, using the same methods as you read in Matthew 10 and Luke 9 and 10. The reason that Gentiles were avoided (except those who submitted to Israel's superior standing) during the Lord's earthly ministry was to give first priority to the Nation of Israel. "To the Jew first" was also literally practiced by the Apostle Paul all through the Acts period (Rom. 1:16; Acts 3:26; 13:26,46). When they didn't listen, Paul also practiced Matthew 10:14 (Acts 13:51) - do you??? No, not once in your ministry!

A GAP

At present, we are in a prophecy gap, which began with Israel's final rejection of their King (Acts chs. 7-28). We are living in a parenthetical period of time between "After threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself" - gap - "and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city…" (Daniel 9:26). It is a gap in time between "the sufferings of Christ" - gap - "and the glory that should follow" (1 Peter 1:11). We are in a gap between "save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns" - gap - and "I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee" (Psalms 22:21,22). It is a gap in prophecy between "To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD" - gap - "and the day of vengeance of our God;…" (Isaiah 61:2; Luke 4:18-21). It is a gap in God's councils regarding Israel between "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things," - gap - "and to enter into his glory?" (Luke 24:26). It is a gap even in Satan's attempts at destroying the work of God between "…and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne." - gap - "and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God,…." (Revelation 12:5,6). This gap or parentheses will end with the removal of the Body of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; Philippians 3:21; Titus 2:13).

AN ETERNAL PROVISION FOR PROPHESY'S INTERIM

But wait! God certainly knew that Israel would falter; rejecting the offer of the King and Kingdom. So there had to be a provision in the purposes of God (Ephesians 3:8-11) for this eventuality. That provision was 'something' hid in God from the foundation of the world (Ephesians 3:1-7; Romans 16:25), but purposed in Christ from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-14;). Christ's Body has to do with God's eternal purpose in Christ; as eternal as the relationship between the Father and the Son (Ephesians 3:11). Neither Israel nor the local churches of the present era are spoken of in this fashion.

The ascended Head of the Body of Christ revealed this "provision" to the Apostle Paul from Heaven. It is altogether a new thing relative to the prophetic purposes of Israel and our Lord's earthly ministry. Paul emphasized that there is advanced revelation to what was given during Christ's earthly sojourn -

"Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh [regarding Christ's earthly ministry]: yeah, though we have known Christ after the flesh [Gospels, early Acts period], yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ ['in Christ' - a concept unrevealed in Matthew, Mark, Luke…], he is a new creature: old things are passed away [kingdom methods and principles, holy days, meats and drinks, new moons and sabbath days, carnal ordinances, &c.]; behold, all things are become new [a completely new thing, previously un-revealed] (2 Corinthians 5:16, 17).

This shows us also that 2 Cor. 5:17 has much more in view than an outwardly cleaned-up church member. We are certain that it includes God's working on the testimony of his children. Some preachers, however, are not aware that 2 Cor. 5:17 means much more than a hair cut, shave, shirt 'n tie, and sitting on the front pew.

And that leads us to the third Church in our study…….


THE CHURCH WHICH IS HIS BODY; THE FULLNESS OF HIM -
Ephesians 1:23; Colossians 1:18, 19

Could any pastor of any local church stand to say the following? "The church I pastor is the fullness of Christ." We know of a handful of churches (no more than that, though there are probably more) which are Philadelphian churches in the Laodicean age. Not one of those pastors would have the gall or intrepidity to declare that the church that he pastors is "the fullness of Christ." No local church in history has ever been the "fullness of Christ." What nonsense then, to declare that the Body of Christ is nothing more than local churches!

The Body of Christ is "the fullness of him that filleth all in all." (Eph. 1:22,23). The Body of Christ is the literal though spiritual unity in Christ which no local church could foster, influence, diminish or imitate - even though typification would be the goal of any local assemblies which understand the purposes of God. It was founded, yea, created by the operation of God (Colossians 2), not by organizational meetings, human ordinations, charters or by-laws.

There is one, and only one, church in existence by which the manifold wisdom of God is made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places. The God and Father of our Lord and Savior says, in effect, to those principalities and powers, "Do you want to know my manifold wisdom? Then take a good look at My Son's Church. It was hid in Me from the time I created you (see 1 Corinthians 2:4-9) , but now my intent is to show it to you, so that you can see what true wisdom is all about. It involves a perfect and complete union between the sinner and his Savior - a union based on an eternal partnership between the Everlasting Father and His Son - a partnership in which the sinner is not a principle, but a beneficiary by Grace. This wise union, purchased by Righteous Blood, which satisfies My Holiness and Justice, cannot be forfeited by the sinner, as the responsibility for its maintenance has never been his. Satan, you see now that you have no power to destroy this union, nor do any of your principalities and powers." Read Ephesians 3:9,10 carefully and prayerfully. Could you say that God is pointing to your local church as the epitome of His wisdom for exhibition to the principalities and powers in heavenly places? Would you be so foolish? No godly and humble pastor or church member would ever make such a claim.

In earth time, the Father gave Christ to be the head over all things to this Church at the resurrection and ascension (Ephesians 1:20-23), not during His earthly ministry. This Church could not have been revealed while as yet God was giving Israel her opportunity to receive her King, Messiah, and Savior (the subject of the Gospels). Though God may have begun placing members into Christ's Body as early as the day of Pentecost, this Church was not revealed until after the conversion of Saul of Tarsus - the Apostle Paul.

The Body of Christ receives members by a baptism performed by the Holy Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:3-7; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:9-13), not by man. The recipients of this baptism are all those who have trusted Christ, after they heard the word of truth, the gospel of their salvation, and are sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13). There is no water involved in this baptism. The Spirit immerses us into Christ Himself - and leaves us there - yea, seals us there! The reason for such a glorious position is the satisfaction that the Father has taken in the perfect Work of His own Son, "wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1:6). We are not accepted on the basis of any earthly qualifications: water baptism or communion of bread and wine, local church membership, or any other association or act.

The Body of Christ is the "one body" of Ephesians 4:4, absolutely necessary for the context, which is "keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (4:3). All of the visible local churches through the church age, if ever assembled in one place on earth, could not keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. This is something that is Spirit and not flesh - much like John 4:24 - "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

This "one body" has only "one Spirit" that calls us in one hope and calling (Ephesians 4:4). No local church with many spirits of sinners competing could accomplish this. This "one body" has "one Lord," and "one faith." Local churches, even if they all claim to be Baptists (or by any other name given by men among men), do not have "one faith." Local churches have divergent beliefs, creeds, views and methods.

This "one body" has only "one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5) Water baptism is only one of seven baptisms introduced in Scripture. The context, again, is that one baptism which is necessary to put one into Christ, and keep the unity of the Spirit - not the unity of the local churches, or of any Baptist fellowship, or of any missions endeavor, or anything else. Therefore water is nowhere in this picture.

The Body of Christ is the Church in which every soul is regenerated - all are saved. The fact that it is called "the whole family in heaven and earth" (Ephesians 3:15) reveals that every single member of it is a child of God. A local church could operate with a large percentage of lost folks (and most of them do!), especially in our day! Some will say that what I am describing is only called the "family of God." All right then, find all of the cross-references, and teach us what the family of God is! You will discover the Body of Christ.

The Body of Christ is the one and only Church in which "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Although there ought to be a oneness in the local assembly, membership therein does not produce the characteristic "one in Christ Jesus." In local assemblies there could be Jews in fellowship with Gentiles. Servants and masters could worship side by side. Men and women enjoy the preaching of the Word of God together. In Christ, however, Jews are not with Greeks. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek. In Christ servants are not sitting alongside their masters. In Christ there is neither bond nor free. In Christ men are not seated with their wives. In Christ there is neither male nor female. Please see further distinction made in the discussion of women in the local assembly, later on in this work.

The failure by many to see that in Scripture spiritual things can also be literal things will prevent many from fully understanding the phrase "in Christ." If this problem plagues you, you might start with studying God Himself. "God is a Spirit:…" (John 4:24). He never was a physical Being until He was conceived in the womb of a virgin by the creative power of the Holy Spirit. We declare that God was a literal and real Being before that physical conception. Then study the angels. God "maketh his angels spirits…" (Hebrews 1:7). Are they less literal because they are spiritual? So it is with the Body of Christ. This Church, though spiritual, is literal nonetheless. Furthermore, belief in the Body of Christ in no way lessens our respect for the local assembly. To the contrary, this understanding makes us seek a more spiritual nature for the local church; such a spiritual nature that is all too rare in the latter days of the Twentieth Century.

The members of the Body of Christ saved thus far are already assembled. We believers are "in Christ." We are placed or assembled in one body by the Holy Spirit "fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth…" We are already sitting "together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). Our lives "are hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). The members of this Church are "members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones" (Ephesians 5:30). The act of joining a local church could never make a believer a member of His flesh and of His bones. But this union is described in Ephesians 5 precisely as "the church" (v. 32), the glorious church which He will present to Himself, "not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing;…" (v. 27). No local church could ever be described this way. No local church or conglomerate of churches will ever be presented to Christ in such a fashion.

The Body of Christ will know even as we are known, and be completed, when it's Head descends and we go to receive "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus….Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself." (Philippians 3:14, 21). This is our blessed hope (Titus 2:13). The local church has no such hope, for local churches won't get raptured. There is no "high calling" for any one or for any collective grouping of local assemblies. Only Christ's Body will be translated. All who are "in Christ" will meet him in the air regardless of their affiliation with any local earthly body when Jesus comes. Saved Baptists, Presbyterians, Bible Church members, Plymouth Brethren, or those unaffiliated with any earthly body but who are in Christ will go out. There will not be one moment of hesitation on the Lord's part to take all who are in Him!

The Body of Christ has no earthly head, only One heavenly Head. Christ's Body has no earthly pastor, but only one Bishop of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). This Church has no meeting place on earth, but is assembled "in Christ" in heavenly places, and will meet together in the air one glad day coming very soon. The Lord's Church exercises no earthly ordinances, and such ordinances do not determine standing in this Body in the least.

We move, though, to churches which do have earthly offices, ordinances, and meeting places. The last usage of the word "church" designates..….

THE CHURCHES OF GOD - CHURCHES OF CHRIST - 1 Corinthians 11:16; Romans 16:16; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; and many, many other passages

We are never directly commanded in Scripture to "plant" these. There are no Scriptures to support the concept of "mother" churches. There are no Scriptures that mandate "organizational meetings." There are certainly no Scriptures that require the purchase of properties or the construction of physical church facilities (Please remember that a foreign missionary is writing this). Forgive my sarcasm, but after all, what man could plant or build something that the gates of Hell could not prevail against? Can man plant the "fullness of Christ?" There are no sets of step-by-step instructions in the New Testament for planting churches. Much of the arguments over methods spring from the idea that there is a command and set of instructions. There are no such direct instructions, because this is a great age of the grace of God. Your methods may not work in a communist intern camp, and yet there can be a genuine church of the Lord Jesus in such a place. We may find this true in America before long!

The testimony of local churches, generally speaking, has been lost in Christendom. Even between the writing of 1st Timothy and 2nd Timothy, the churches had apostasized. In 1st Timothy Paul could speak of the local body as "the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Tim. 3:15). By the time he wrote 2nd Timothy, however, the churches were part of "a great house" (like Christendom), but no longer does Paul speak so firmly of the pillar and ground of the truth.

The Waldenses and Albigenses (called by some "Anabaptists"), being chased by Vatican armies through the Alps of Italy and France, were never guilt-ridden for not having planted something with a mailing address, or state recognition, or a membership roll. Think of the persecuted children of God in modern days under communism and other forms of totalitarian government.

We have served inside two communist countries ourselves. It's not long after a handful of Chinese or Russians come to Christ and begin learning the Word of God, that they begin referring to their assembly as "our church." They will begin using the term "church" long before there is any detailed teaching on the subject. It is appropriate at that time for the missionary to begin from the new converts' primal concept, and begin carefully teaching the nature and characteristics of the local assembly from the precepts and examples given in the Scriptures. The offices, the ordinances (with warning against sacramental use), the use of gifts (with warning against mysticism and the modern Charismatic movement[s]), honor and love among the brethren (based on sound doctrine), Biblical respect for those who labor in word and doctrine (with warning against priestcraft), and much more must be taught.

Under communist and other authoritarian regimes, people tend to get scattered much more frequently than in free countries. A church only one-year-old could find itself split from one end of China to the other, all within weeks or months. This has happened to several congregations that we watched the Lord form under our ministry in Northern China. Without the teaching of Christ's Body, these young believers would stay discouraged. When they understand deeper implications of their attachment to Christ (regardless of the immediate availability of a local church), they go forth as missionary-evangelists, no matter where their ruthless government sends them.

Where the testimonies of churches give Christ glory, and exalt His Word, they are the houses of the living God, the pillar and ground of the Truth. Where they only perpetuate a form of Christendom without the power of the Holy Spirit, they are a part of the "great house" of Christendom, and no more, except that there may be members of Christ's Body languishing and groaning within them. This is true, even if they are "Baptist" churches, with supposed credible lines of succession through the Anabaptist history (not a Biblical standard).

There are, of course, examples of local assemblies - churches - in the New Testament record. There is also the admonition (Hebrews 10:25) to "not [forsake] the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but [to exhort] one another: and so much the more, as [we] see the day [of Christ] approaching." There is an interesting illustration of our need to assemble found even in the Old Testament book of Malachi. Chapter 3:13-15 says that:

1. At a time when the words of the ungodly and unbelieving world are "stout" against the Lord (v. 13); and
   
2. At a time when men do not serve God (v. 14); and
   
3. At a time when the proud are happy and the wicked are set up (v. 15);
   

Then comes that very emphatic word, "THEN they that feared the LORD spake often one to another…" Was there ever a time in history when the conditions described in Malachi 3:13-15 were more prevalent? Then ought we not to be meeting more often than ever before? Is three hours per week and an occasional missions conference enough? No!

And since the examples and admonitions of the New Testament are to meet together on this earth as believers, we ought to observe the New Testament descriptions of gifts (Ephesians 4:11), and offices (1 Timothy ch. 3; Titus 1). We ought to learn how to be Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-21), with all of the implications thereof - a clean and effective testimony (Titus 2:11,12; 1 Corinthians 15:34) not the least among them.

The Lord Christ, through the writings of His Apostle Paul, gave to us characteristics of the earthly meetings of believers that will honor the Head of the Body, so that "unto him [will] be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end." (Ephesians 3:21) This glory is not produced by the church, but by Christ(!) in any church where New Testament principles are cherished and obeyed. The following practical passages, having specific references to behavior in the assembly, might be recommended for first study by any new congregation contemplating the establishment of a local church. In reality, any believers meeting around the name of the Lord Jesus and obeying these principles will discover a local church planted by the Lord, and not by man (see Psalm 127:1).

Romans 12:1 - 16:19
1 Corinthians 11:1-14:40; ch. 16
2 Corinthians 4; 5:14-21; chs. 6-9
Galatians 6:1-5, 10
Ephesians chs. 4 -6
Philippians ch. 4
Colossians 3:12 - 4:6
1 Thessalonians 5:11-26
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
1 Timothy chs. 2 - 6
2 Timothy chs. 2 - 4
Titus chs. 1, 2

Other primary and practical passages in the Epistles for local church order and behavior include:

Hebrews 10:24, 25; ch. 13
James 2:1-13; ch. 5
1 Peter 3:1-17; 4:7-11; 5:1-9

Instructions in the epistles regarding the assembly should be studied, known, and embraced thoroughly before appeals to the Synoptic Gospels are made for church order. Any instruction for the local church from the Gospels must be consistent with the Epistles in order to be accepted as New Testament order. Special precedent in this regard should be given to Paul's Epistles. When you meet instruction in Matthew, Mark and Luke, believed literally, that is inconsistent with Pauline instruction, you must be careful that you will not be adapting (Israel's) Kingdom instruction wrongly to this dispensation. Of course, where not inconsistent with Pauline doctrine, and found useful as the Spirit of God directs the church, then "All scripture is….profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:…" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Succession of Truth, Not of Local Churches

Our position is that there is a historical succession of New Testament truth, not necessarily a historical succession of local churches. Through the last nineteen hundred years, there have been local churches which have rightly divided the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15), held forth the word of life (Philippians 2:16), held fast the faithful word (Titus 1:9), and received the engrafted word with meekness (James 1:21). Many of these churches have been called "Baptist" churches. Many have been called by other names, or no name at all. Some of the greatest evangelists and Bible teachers have been known as "Brethren" or "Plymouth Brethren."

Local churches are where Jews and Gentiles can worship together, servants and masters can learn together, and men and women can pray together. The local church, however, is not where these are all made "one in Christ Jesus." The admonitions themselves in the Scriptures regarding church order, polity, and behavior, is proof enough that the local church is not the Body described in Ephesians chapter 1 as "the fullness of Christ." One outstanding illustration of this deals with the necessity of subjection of the female under the male in the church meetings.

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (1 Timothy 2:11-14)

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. (1 Corinthians 11:10)

Because of any woman's greater vulnerability in the flesh to deception by principalities and powers (angels), when not under the headship of her husband, she is not permitted to teach men, or to exercise authority over men in the church. This means also that the woman can not hold church office (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). Where is one-ness in Christ then? It is just there….in Christ, in His Body, where there is neither male nor female. That kind of one-ness is not the subject of the local church, where you have both male and female, and one is told to be in subjection to the other. In fact, peace, and unity in the local church depends upon the woman recognizing unequal authority while in the flesh. Saved servants are to obey their saved masters, saved children are to obey their saved parents, and saved wives are to obey their saved husbands (Ephesians 5, 6). Inequality is in the flesh, and must be so in the earthy church. What a contrast to the spiritual Body of Christ!

Our Practical Identity

We identify as King James Bible-believing, independent, fundamental Baptists. We don't do so because we can trace our local church lineage back to John the Baptist. We wouldn't even try to do such a thing. We don't even believe it is possible or useful. The Bible, the Word of God is our final authority, and not the history books or genealogical tables. Nevertheless, we are Baptists. We baptize by immersion in deep water those adults (and others old enough to give a clear testimony) who profess Christ under our ministry. Since we don't believe water baptism is a sacrament, or that it affects salvation in the least, we avoid baptizing children (or any people, for that matter) who are not able to clearly testify of Christ. As missionaries, we accept the authority of our sending local Baptist church and pastor over our ministry.

Our standard of separation, is the literal interpretation of the Scriptures themselves. If we preach the King James Bible, rightly divided, and men reject us for it, then that will constitute our ecclesiastical separation. If we preach Christ and His Blood, and salvation by grace through faith, and His Righteousness as the standard, and God's satisfaction with Christ's sufferings as the propitiation for our sins, and if men reject us for it, then that will be our doctrinal separation. If we live with a clean testimony and shun the fashions and trends and entertainments of this world, and people reject us for it, then that will be our personal separation. We are not finding any necessity to make a list of people we will and people we won't fellowship with - which would not be Biblical separation anyway. That would instead be Pharisee-ism. Preaching and acting upon the Truth of the Bible will be our separation.

If a Bible church pastor, for example, ever invites me to preach, I will not refuse just because of the name of his church. He may be just as sound in the faith as any independent Baptist pastor. There are independent Baptist pastors and evangelists in America now who will support Russian Baptists who believe a person can be excommunicated out of Christ. Yet those same American ministers will not fellowship with a Bible church pastor across town who is sound in the area of the believer's security in Christ. The same American preachers will castigate any fundamental church which does not have "Baptist" on the sign. Then they will fellowship with Russian "Baptists" who have only "Dom Melitive" ("House of Prayer") on their sign. But those Americans can't read Russian, so it doesn't matter. Do you see how this thing works nowadays? If a missionary points out the problem to the visiting American pastor, some excuse for continuing fellowship will be created out of thin air.

Think Like a Foreign Missionary for a Moment, Please

We never imply in our preaching that a physical building is necessary to a Bible-believing church. The Bible nowhere implies a building is necessary. I will not criticize the use of buildings, per se, for the use of any church (I may preach for simplicity and utility, and against luxury and elaborateness). I will, though, correct any person who enters in among those to whom we minister and implies that Biblical Christianity cannot function without physical church plants. We have served in communist China where no Bible-believing church can have a building. Bible-believers must meet in homes, abandoned warehouses, and restaurant kitchens in the middle of the night. I don't want introduced to those dear believers any idea that they are somehow missing out on God's blessings because they lack a 40ft. X 80ft auditorium with mauve carpeting, oak pews, raised platforms, fiberglass baptisteries, and gender-sensitive restrooms.

Furthermore, we refuse to criticize any North American house-church movement wherein New Testament doctrine is upheld. One day soon we may all be seeking a house church. One of these days true believers in America may have to meet underground - in hiding. Many are preparing for that eventuality even now, and I don't believe that they are so unwise.

We are not impressed by the hot air of independent Baptist gasbags who have a false separation based on their study of church history. We believe that a study of church history will yield much fruit. Understanding the sufferings and sojourns of saints through the ages puts grit in our souls and courage in our walk. The history books though are not our final authority. We are not told to preach the history books - but "preach the word" (2 Timothy 2:2). The King James Bible shall be our final authority. We will preach the Gospel, pray for souls and help them to Christ. When they are saved by grace, we will baptize them in water as a testimony of their faith in the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ. Then we will endeavor to teach them to meet in local churches benefiting from Biblical uses of gifts and offices, and preaching Christ and Him crucified. We will teach believers to love one another, and to evangelize and win as many other people as they can in their lifetime. We will teach believers to be waiting for Christ's return - the Blessed Hope, which is the greatest encouragement to service found in the New Testament. We will teach believers Bible principles for godly and happy families - the home being the first ordinance or institution in the Bible, long before the local church.

And we ourselves will continue to look for the Son of God from Heaven.


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