|
 What
did Christ build when He built the church? (Matt. 16: 18)
The figure is that of constructing a temple (1 Cor. 3: 10-17)
where “lively stones” (1 Pet. 2:5) are put together upon the
“foundation” — the truth that Jesus is the Christ. (When
messengers of Christ are considered the “builders” (1 Cor.
3:) or even the “foundation” (Eph. 2:20-22), the essential
truth is maintained — Christ is building His church; i.e., He
is bringing together people who heed His
call; and as a (convened) assembly or “called—out” body of
people they are, when considered as a whole, LIKENED UNTO A
BUILDING.
What
did Christ buy when he bought the church? (Acts 20:28)
The figure is that of manumission; paying the price for a slave
in order that he may be freed. (1 Cor. 6:20 7: 22-23 Gal. 5:1)
We were slaves of sin until we “obeyed from the heart that
form of doctrine;” a freeing that was made possible by Christ’s
death on our behalf. (Rom. 6: 1-18) So Christ “paid the price”
for your sins, and mine. By His death He “acquired”
(footnote, ASV) people, one by one; saving each from his
sins as that one humbly submits to His will. The figure of
BUYING THE FREEDOM OF A SLAVE may have been taken
from that common practice of the first century, records of which
are preserved to this day. Just remember, Christ bought people
who, considered collectively, are called “the church.”
What
did Christ cleanse when He cleansed the church? (Eph.
5:25-27) He made clean those people who submit to “the
washing of water with the word.” This figure
|
|
is a common one — the removal of sins
being likened to filth, washed from clothes or body. (Acts
22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21) As the application of “the water with the
word” is obviously made to individuals, as each hears and
learns the truth, and obeys it; we are again faced with the fact
that Christ’s cleansing of “the church” is the remission
of sins which He makes possible for people, one by one;
who are called “the church” when considered collectively.
Now
all of these things Christ is said to have done He built
the church, bought the church, cleansed the
church. The foundation has been firmly laid, the purchase price
paid, and the cleansing blood shed. His sacrifice of Himself was
“once for all” (Heb. 10:10), and need never be repeated. But
there is a sense in which the construction work continues and
“lively stones” continue to be placed upon that foundation.
The “price” for freedom from sin is still amply provided for
all who will avail themselves of this marvelous opportunity. The
cleansing power of the blood of Christ is yours and mine for the
using — in coming unto Him, and as we falter in His service.
(Note 1 Jn. 1:7- 2: 1-3.)
Christ
did not build, buy, and cleanse some sort of vehicle into which
you come, be seated, and ride home to heaven. He will build YOU
into His building, buy YOU from your slavery to sin, and cleanse
YOU from your spiritual filth; and then you will be a part of
that body of people who have been saved by His grace, and have
thus become the church of Christ.
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
