|
 The
word “church” is a collective noun, like “herd” or “flock.”
It calls together the saints, it groups them. It may refer to
the group as a whole (Matt. 16:18), or it may refer to the
saints distributively (Acts 5: 11). It may be used of the
universal body of saints (Eph. 1:22),a relationship of
individuals to God in Christ, having no organizational entity,
or, it may refer to a group of saints who function as one,
having overseers and servants, and acting collectively (Phil.
1:1; 4:15). A statement or argument which rests upon the word church
must indicate the use intended, and present proof accordingly;
or remain an ambiguous and useless statement.
We
do not consider church, either universally or locally, as
referring to a society which validates worship or service. We
are acutely aware of the need to avoid any position which places
an “institution” between a saint and his Savior, a servant
and his Master. The “priesthood of believers” — the direct
relationship of individuals and Christ via the word — must be
preserved. But there is still a need to clarify the role of a
local church, and the distinction which exists between it and
the church in a universal sense. It is completely illogical to
treat the local church as the organizational medium by which the
universal church functions.
There
is a sense in which “church” is considered an organism
in the word of God. Webster’s Collegiate defines organism
in two senses: (1) Biologically: “An individual constituted to
carry on the activities of life by means of organs separate in
function but mutually dependent; any living being.”
|
|
Obviously “church” is not literally
an organism; but figuratively, Paul presents saints as being
(like) the members of a body. “For as the body is one, and
hath many members... so also is Christ” (1 Cor. 12:12 - f). By
saying, “so also is Christ” (and by putting apostles,
prophets, etc. in this body- v.28-f) he is referring to the
universal body of Christ, or the universal church. And since
this is a figurative matter, consider the second
definition: (2) Philosophically: “Any highly complex thing or
structure with parts so integrated that their relation to one
another is governed by their relation to the whole.” This
certainly can be said of the universal body of Christ, for we
are thus branches on the Vine (Jn. 15: 6), children in the
family (Eph. 3:15), members of His body. It is an organism
figuratively, and has organized functions only in a figurative
sense.
The
saints who agree to work as a local “team” or church are, of
course related to all saints in the universal organism, and
their desire and obligation to work together grows out of this
basic sphere of fellowship in Christ. But their relationship to
one-another that is distinctively “local” is an additional
relationship, dependent upon the congregational covenant (their
agreement to work as one.) The N. T. has no evidence of a
universal treasury, nor universal decision making “business
meeting” (Acts 15; notwithstanding) — no universal organized
functions. But such things are clearly present on a local scale.
The (local) church may hear and speak (Matt. 18:17), man send
(Phil. 4:15). (continued next page)
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
