|
 When
I wrote the heading, “Self-created Churches” for the
historical article on page four, I realized some might think I
was writing about man-based religions. Of course, I refer to the
God-ordained right of saints to form a local church,
without the necessity or sanction and approval by some “historic”
church. This is another of those scriptural principles, lost in
apostasy, regained through much Bible and soul searching, bathed
with the blood of martyrs, and now — poorly understood and
appreciated. But it is a cardinal factor in establishing and
maintaining true congregational independence.
So
called “historic” churches believe God’s grace is
dispensed by an institution — that God gave this institution
and its successors authority to pass out the blessings. So, the
church of England, Lutheran, Reformed and the like, make a great
point of their relation to the “mother” catholic church.
Episcopacy must have an unbroken line of succession, and by this
link with “the church” baptism, the Lord’s Supper, etc.,
are given validity. And brethren are falling into this same
error (unintentionally of course) when they argue that “the
great middle section” of the church makes a thing valid or
right by its approval, and without that approval we are outcasts
— a “sect.”
|
|
Our
“Self-created” article is so condensed we fear its point may
be missed, so we urge you to reread it — carefully. The true
church does not depend upon historic succession, either of the
corporate body or of men appointed to some supposed “office.”
It is the result of a relationship that exists between
God and His people — the product of the processes of
spiritual redemption.
In
keeping with a fairly recent tradition, we say “succession is
in the seed.” I believe this is true (Lu. 8:11 1 Pet.
1:23-25), but we must try to appreciate the consequences of this
principle. An accountable person, with absolutely no connection
or relation to an established or “organized” church, could
read the Bible for himself, learn the truth, obey it, and be an
acceptable saint. He could influence others to do the same. Then
a plurality of these saints could covenant together to worship
and serve the Lord as a “team” (collectively); and this
would constitute a scriptural church, as valid and acceptable as
a congregation of the first century.
This
principle ties man to God in truth, not by “party
affiliation.” It made restoration possible. It must not be
slighted and again ignored.
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
