1444. The Church, a Systematized Organism
The Church, a Systematized Organism
"In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph_2:22).
There are many organizations, but they differ in a most vital way, from the Church, an organism.
There are fraternal organizations, where men and women are bound together under certain oaths, and grips, and placed under certain ethical conceptions.
There are racial organizations, open exclusively to those of a like birth, or held together by a common flag.
There are social organizations, where "blue blood," education, or wealth is the standard, and where people are held together by social ethics.
There are business organizations, builded upon a basis of financial prestige, where commercialism is the standard of union.
There are military organizations, where people of a like conflict and convictions are banded together in memory of past victories, or in behalf of a united protection.
These organizations, and all others, are operated from without; they are builded into a system which would fall to pieces if it were not for the influences of outside powers.
The Church is distinct from all these organizations, in that it is operated from within.
The Church is a living, vibrating, throbbing organism operated from a living center.
1. The Church is an organism formed by the Spirit of God.
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (1Co_12:13).
2. The Church is an organism indwelt by the Spirit of God.
"In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph_2:22).
3. The Church is an organism, because it is a body.
"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the working of each single part in its measure, maketh increase of the body unto the upbuilding of itself in love" (Eph_4:16, \1911 Bible).
4. The Church is an organism, because it is a body in which its several members are in vital touch with Christ, its living Head.
"We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones" (Eph_5:30).
"Grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" (Eph_4:15).
"And he is the head of the body, the church" (Col_1:18).
None of the four enumerations above can be said of any of the many organizations which men have builded.
To the extent that the Church considers itself an organization, dependent upon a systematized and organized fellowship, energized and conducted by men, it has lost its place and its power with God.
The human "church" will prove its helplessness in things spiritual because it is no more than an organization.
The true Divine Church will prove its power in things spiritual because it is an organism.
When a so-called "local church" is seen to be functioning under a system ordained and operated by men; under a creed that signifies no more than the letter of the law, it demonstrates at once that it is a human organization.
When a local church is a company of true believers, functioning under its living Head, and operating under a creed that is being translated into spiritual life, it demonstrates at once that it is a Divine organism.
Organizations of men are many; there is but one organism of saints. Into this organism, all of the redeemed have been baptized, in one Spirit, and in one Spirit all have been made to drink. This organism is known, Scripturally, as "the Church, which is His Body."
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR