THE CHURCH.–ITS ORGANIZATION.
We have said that one great hindrance to the apprehension of the Scripture truth as to this subject was its simplicity. Let us bear this in mind, as we seek to place side by side with the mis-conceptions of human reason the simple teachings of God's word.
1. Instead of the Babel of many names, Scripture gives us but the One Name,- a name above every name (Phil. 2:9),-a beautiful name (James 2:7, Gk.), which is put upon all God's people without distinction- the name of Christ. They arc called Believers (Acts 5:14), Disciples (Acts 9:i), Christians (Acts 11:26), and Saints (Eph. 1:i); but never is one of these names used to distinguish one portion of the body of Christ from another:on the contrary, they serve as links to bind them all together. Thus we have the answer as to the name of the Church organization. The names which God has given us in His word are enough:we need no others, and they would but divide and not unite us.
2. Next, in answer to the question to what form of doctrine the Church subscribes, Scripture answers, The word of God. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine." (2 Tim. 3:16.) "Thy word is truth."(John 17:17.) '' Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matt. 24:35.) From these and multitudes of other passages we know that the Scriptures are inspired, that they arc truth, that they are eternal, and that they are all-sufficient. Why, then, should there be a creed? Is it to make the Scripture more plain ? "All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that under-standeth, and right to them that find knowledge." (Prov. 8:8, 9.) Can man's words state truth more plainly than God's ? Is not a creed a slur cast upon the perfect word of God ? If they were used as other writings upon Scripture, for purposes of exposition, this objection could nut be urged against them; but when they tacitly accuse Scripture of being ambiguous, obscure, or not sufficiently definite for doctrinal statements, we must reject them.
3. What does Scripture put in the place of a regularly ordained clergy, taking charge of all ministry and worship ? The Holy Ghost. He it is who dwells in the Church, His temple (i Cor. 3:16.), who teaches (John 14:26; i Cor. 2:9-16), who leads our prayers (Rom. 8:26,27; Jude 20), and praises (i Cor. 14:15). If He use instruments it is never by virtue of any office they may have:He is not confined to any one man. "All these [various gifts] worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will." (i Cor. 12:n.) We will enter more fully upon this when we come to consider the subject of worship. We would here, however, seek to press upon every conscience the immense importance of the presence of the Holy Ghost, the presence personally and immediately of a Divine Person who has absolute authority and control, whose delight it is to minister the things of Christ to His beloved people, to unfold the Scriptures, to quicken the spirit of prayer and praise, to press upon us the importance of doing all things "decently and in order." Baptism ill not be neglected; the Lord's Supper will have a place and a meaning it never had before; discipline will be administered; the graces of liberality to those in need, and fellowship in the gospel will abound if He is unhindered, unquenched.
Does this seem like begging the question? It is God's answer to the needs of His Church. He knew we would fall into utter confusion, that we would multiply machinery, that we would resort to every expedient which the ingenuity of man could suggest-all in vain, save to show our helplessness, so He gave us the Holy Ghost. Rome claims the Pope as Christ's vicar on earth, with absolute power of control and direction. This pretension Protestantism rightly rejects, but fails to see the true vicar of Christ, "whom the Father will send in my name" (John 14:26), and therefore lays itself open to the taunt of Rome for its independency and rationalism. If we grasp this truth of the Spirit's presence we have reached an answer as to what is the teaching of Scripture regarding the organization of the Church; and we might put that answer in the form of a definition:'' The obedient recognition of the immediate presence of the Holy Spirit, gathering believers to the name of the Lord Jesus, subjecting them to the word of God, and taking entire control of worship, ministry, and discipline." In the proper place we will enlarge upon the various features we have pointed out:at present we would call attention to the simplicity and yet sufficiency of this organization. Is anything lacking? Will contingencies arise not provided for? Impossible! The name of Christ; the presence of the Holy Spirit; the word of God to guide:- thus organized a company of believers is ready for any duty or privilege; and no emergency can arise that will call for any new machinery. The Holy Spirit is all-sufficient.
Let us dwell upon this. The distinctive characteristic of the Christian dispensation is the personal and abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Faith is shown by counting on this presence. Human organizations, no matter how wisely effected and administered, are a hindrance to the manifestation of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We know this is not believed by many conscientious Christians, but can only appeal to Scripture for justification, and entreat them to make trial of God's order, reminding them too of their responsibility so to do.
(To be continued.)