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 During
my early preaching years I attended many debates, and heard many
quibbles. A common one re. establishment of the church was, “Christ
died to purchase the church; so the church had to exist before
He died or there would have been nothing to purchase.” (Ref.
to Acts 20:28)
Of
course the “church of God” which the overseers are to “feed”
consists of people: and Christ’s death “paid the debt”
“purchased” forgiveness of sins for generations yet unborn
— individuals, who through faith come into Christ (Gal.
3:26-27) and, collectively, constitute the church. The church is
not something apart from the saints. This answer is so
obvious to all who understand God’s scheme of redemption that
I was shocked recently to hear an offspring of the same old
quibble applied to the “cleansing” of the church.
“The
church is corrupt now,” I was told, “but just before
judgement day Christ will take away every spot and wrinkle.”
(Ref. to Eph. 5:25-27) “Some day He will cleanse the church.”
We had better read that text again. This is not some wholesale
cleaning of an institution, viewed as a vehicle. The church is
not a sort of “little red wagon” that rolls along all loaded
with ungodly back-sliders; and just before judgement it goes
through a “Jiffy Car Wash” and comes out well waxed and
polished, ready to bear the riders home to glory.
The
“cleansing” is “by the washing of water with the word”
— a reference to truth and obedience. The cleansing takes
place as Sam, Anna, lone, Newt, Tom and Susie
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— individuals through-out the world
— recognize their lost condition, and come to Christ for
salvation from sins. Independently and severally each one
believes in Christ and is baptized “for remission of sins.”
(Compare Matt. 26:28, Mk. 16:16, and Acts 2: 38) This cleansing
continues throughout the life-time of each faithful individual
— on an individual basis — to the extent that each
individual repents of his or her sins and prays God, through
Christ, for forgiveness. (See Acts 8:13, 18f)
No
one is going to be cleansed because his name is on a “church
roll”; not even if he has a gold star for being faithful in
attendance. It is faithfulness to Christ that counts.
When we sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous. (1 Jn. 1:8 -2:1-6) But we must repent, and
confess our sins; and this is done on an individual basis. This
is the way Christ “gave Himself for the church” and is “saviour
of the body”.
“Church”
is a collective noun, as is “herd”, “flock”, etc. The
word refers to “called out” people, assembled
literally, or figuratively — grouped by virtue of their common
relationship and fellowship with God. If a “flock” of sheep
is cleansed of vermin, it is because the sheep have been
put through the dipping vats. If the “church” is cleansed,
it is because the people who make up that assembly have
had their sins washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ.
When
will we learn that Christ, not the church, is the Saviour!!
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