The Confession of Faith (27)

We do not believe, as Rome does, in a church which gives salvation, for then salvation would be the work of man. No church is able to save. However, according to God’s Word, the Church will be saved, and for this Jesus Christ is the only and all-sufficient Saviour. This article, which we now consider, speaks about the church and our duty to join ourselves to it. It is a very serious subject, especially for the present days.

With sorrow we must admit that the condition of the church is not at all good. Its walls are cracked and broken down as in the days of Amos. Millions have completely broken with the church, and this number increases alarmingly over the whole world. Is it not the great decay before the end of the world will come, whereof God’s Word speaks?

There are people who no longer ever go to church, but to them the above does not apply. They are a so-called non-ecclesiastical people (in Dutch, onkerkelijken). They say that there is no longer any church and, therefore, read the old fathers at home. Although there are God-fearing people among them, this practice has a great danger in it, for in succeeding generations you see generally a great decay, and little or nothing remains of the religion of the parents. If one felt a little of the great responsibility of bringing up children, he would then confess that this is not the right way. Really, such an attitude is contrary to the Word of God, for He has promised that there will be a Church upon earth until the end of the world. Is this not encouraging in a time when so many things discourage us?

The Lord will continue to build His Church, and for this He uses His Word which is preached or read. You will probably ask, then, why so many people leave the truth. For many the great prosperity which we enjoy is too much; they think they are able to take care of themselves and no longer need the Lord. How foolish! Others are offended by the many shortcomings of the church. Although they are not perfect themselves, they are looking for a perfect church which does not belong to this dispensation.

Some think it is not right that unconverted persons are in the church, and they seek a church of only converted persons. We should remember the Word of the Lord teaches that the church will be here upon earth only in part; think of the parables of the net with good and bad fish and of the field with wheat and tares. In Philippians 3:12, Paul said, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

It is true that the Lord has said that the church should be as the light of the world, but often because of the persecutions of the enemy it is more like a night lodge in a garden of cucumbers. Nevertheless, the church may not be hidden, but should reveal itself. When we see the church and think of the members of it, we must realize that they are not all converted; the Lord only knows who His people are! One day the Lord will purge His floor. This will happen at the end of the world, and then it will be seen who feared the Lord and who did not fear Him.

In church history there is the well-known name of Jean de Labadie. He did not want to hear of a church with converted and unconverted people, but he attempted to have a church of only true believers. He took the fan in his own hand and thoroughly purged his floor, which is the work of Christ Himself. The church of de Labadie became a disaster. We may not judge another’s faith although the Lord has given marks to know true and false faith. The fruit will tell what kind of tree it is! Remember the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. They had no external differences, but internally there was a difference as night and day. Judas was also among the disciples! In the preaching and on house-visitation we must take this in account. Not all the members of the church may be considered as regenerated. Isaiah’s message was woe for the wicked and well for the righteous.

This article also shows very clearly that not all members of the church belong to the Church which is chosen by the Lord from eternity and for which Christ has given Himself as a ransom. They are called by Word and Spirit. This is the essence of the Church, as this article also points out: “We believe, since this holy congregation is an assembly of those who are saved…” These are the people who are drawn by the Lord from darkness to light and who will receive the salvation of the Lord. According to Isaiah 62:12a they are called a holy people: “And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD.” In Psalm 111:1b they are called the upright: “I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”

Outside of this, congregation, there is no salvation as the article so plainly says, “We believe, since this holy congregation is an assembly of those who are saved, and that out of it there is no salvation…” The Lord has made His habitation in His Church, and outside of it He will not show mercy, as we read in Hebrews 12:22a, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God.” All those who will not be saved will be outside, as we read in Revelation 22:15a, “For without are dogs…” These and many other texts show clearly that not all members of the churches are also members of the one Church.

Nevertheless, we are responsible for our deeds and called to join the true Church, for this article says, “That no person of whatsoever state or condition he may be, ought to withdraw himself, to live in a separate state from it.” This we also find in Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” When grace is bestowed upon us, we will seek communion with other believers. When this is not possible, they are sad. “Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me,” as we hear from Heman in Psalm 88. David was also sorrowful when he was not able to go up to the temple, “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God” (Psalm 84:2). Herein we are condemned when we do not join the church.

It is also a condemnation of the sects who exalt themselves above all churches. Everyone who does not want to bow under the yoke of King Jesus withdraws from the church. This is in force for members and ministers. We find this through all ages, also in our days when new groups are formed. Often it is a desire for power and the lust of selfishness, but above all it is rebellion against the yoke of Christ.

Sorrow should fill our heart when we look about us and see that there is so much division in the churches, whereby the body of Christ is rent. We have to be most careful, for the devil goes around as an angel of light, especially when there are schisms. It has always been his aim to make divisions. Not where enmity is but where love is found will the Lord give His blessing. Love and divisions do not go together.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen