The Organized Church by W. N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 6, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 10.

The Organized Church.

By W. N. Glenn

THE most important organization among men is the Christian Church. It is composed of those who have chosen to separate themselves from evil and yield obedience to the Creator, to whom all allegiance is due. It is the most honorable association with which man can be connected, as its members are called the sons of God. It is the only organization upon earth that has a Heaven-given assurance of an existence beyond this life. Its grand Head and High Priest exercises the functions of his office at the right hand of the Majesty of Heaven (Heb. 8:1), whence he is in constant communication with the "body," by means of his Holy Spirit.

But not the least important feature of this organization is its part in the actual work of salvation. The church as a body figures very prominently in the great plan, and has a remarkable degree of power and authority delegated to it. See Matt. 18:17-20. We do not accede to it that exclusive authority upon earth which the papal church arrogates to itself, its pope "exalting himself above all that is called God" (2 Thess. 2:4), even claiming the right to change the times and the laws established by the authority of the Creator (Dan. 7:25). This we hold to be an unscriptural and blasphemous extreme.

But there is another extreme quite as dangerous as to results, though having a less presumptive appearance. This is manifested in the idea held by some that individual Christians are not responsible to any human organization at all for their actions; that if they only believe on Christ, they are at liberty to act perfectly independent of everybody else. There is a degree of self-sufficiency about this position that is unwarranted by the example and teachings of Christ and the apostles.

The Saviour honored his organized church under both the old and new covenants. Led by the Spirit, his parents, when he was an infant, observed the requirements of the church law respecting him. Matt. 2:21-28, 39, 42, 43. We also read that it was his custom to attend the synagogue. Luke 4:16. And when on a certain occasion he healed a leper, he sent him to the priest to "offer the gift that Moses commanded." Jesus also met with his church several times after his resurrection and gave them instruction regarding his future work through their instrumentality, enduing them with the authority he designed them to exercise in his absence. Matt. 28:18-20. He recognized them as a legitimate body after his ascension, by choosing through his Spirit an apostle in place of Judas; and also by sending the spirit upon them on the day of Pentecost; and especially in that he "added to them daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:47.

There are, however, two notable instances which seem to show at a glance the prominent position assigned to the church in the work of redemption. 1. The conversion of Saul. The Lord met him in person, and overcame him physically and spiritually, and convicted him of his great error. But when it came to giving him instruction how to proceed under the circumstances, a most critical period, the Master just turned over the afflicted convert to the church, whose business it was to show him the path of duty. "Rise and enter into the city and it shall be told thee what thou must do." Acts 9:6. He was passed right into the hands of those whom he had come to persecute—by them to have his eyes opened, be baptized, and be inducted into the recognized organization of believers.

2. The conversion of Cornelius is a marked case, being the first record of apostolic labor for the Gentiles. Cornelius was a devout man, and God sent an angel to give him a start in finding salvation. But the angel did not give him the details of duty; he merely referred him to a minister of the gospel, an apostle in the church, for instruction.

God has made the church the channel through which to give light to the world, and the means of succoring those who throw off their allegiance to sin and enlist under his banner. There was no man more intimately connected with the Lord himself, after the resurrection, than Paul. No one could have more reason to think that a personal relationship to the Saviour was all that was necessary. Yet so far as the inspired record informs us, he traveled more and established more churches than all the other apostles combined. And wherever he succeeded in gaining converts, he was careful to have them fully organized, and to have the necessary officers appointed. Acts 14:21-23. Nor did he end his work with this precaution; he continued to watch over them with a father's care. He tells us, Acts 11:28, that he had upon him daily "the care of all the churches;" and he was especially solicitous for unity and harmony in their ranks. To this end the apostle, either personally, or by letter, or by his co-laborers, faithfully exhorted and encouraged them, that their organization and consequent usefulness might be preserved. Only by their organization could he have kept any trace of their progress and spiritual condition. It is the only way in which the church can protect itself from imposture, or make any successful aggressive movement whatever.

The importance which God attaches to his church is manifested in the spiritual gifts, and illustrated by the figure of the "body," in 1 Cor. 12. Here is brought to view the highest type of human organization, without which it would be impossible for the disciples to be "one," as the Master had specially enjoined. In no other affairs of life do men undertake to maintain unity of purpose without organization.

But some who profess a desire to be Christians maintain that they can do so without joining the church and assuming its responsibilities; and others in the ranks of membership, who tire of the restraints of the body, tell us they can be "just as good Christians out of the church as in it." Perhaps they can; but this is the place of safety provided by the Good Shepherd, and those who prefer to remain outside have no assurance of protection from the enemy. The plea so often made, that there are inconsistencies in the body, and hypocrites among the members, will not stand in the Judgment as an excuse for neglect of known individual duty. It is possible that such an excuse is a mere subterfuge to avoid the restraints and shirk the responsibilities of membership; and those who present such pleas prefer to forego the privileges rather than assume the duties of the gospel. But all such attempts to gain an entrance to the everlasting kingdom will be detected by the all-seeing eye of him who has prescribed the way. All attempts, of whatever nature, to improve upon the plan originated by the Spirit and adopted by the apostles, for carrying on the work of salvation under the gospel of Christ, will prove utterly furtile in the end, and disastrous to those who are deceived thereby.

But in the midst of the multitude of churches, all claiming to be right yet greatly differing, how shall we be guided to that which is true? Be guided by the word of God, and be warned by the same word against this Babylon of division and confusion. Rev. 18:4. "Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice," said Jesus to Pilate. John 18:37. His voice spoke the moral law from Sinai. Ex. 20 and Deut 5. And till heaven and earth pass this law will not pass away. Matt. 5:17, 18. He himself commanded his ordinances. Matt. 28:19, 20; Luke 22:19, 20; John 13; 1 Cor. 11:23-26. This law and these ordinances have been perverted or ignored by the Babylon churches. They do not hear his voice. He also spake by his angel to his servant John, and in that Revelation it is shown what organization shall resist the mark of the beast who with his followers "shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God." Chap. 14:12 says it is "they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Another distinctive feature of the church is that they will be waiting and watching for the Lord at his coming, according to his admonition. Matt. 24:32-47; 25:1-13; Rev. 16:15; Isa. 25:8, 9.

These are all plainly marked features; no one can mistake them who earnestly seeks for the right in the light of the Scriptures. Find these combined in one organization, and you have the church of God. With such plain directions as these in the inspired word, he is without excuse who is led by the blind or by the vicious into the ditch.

W. N. GLENN.