the church, its organization, order chapter 1

"The Church, Its "The Church, Its Organization, Order and Organization, Order and

Discipline"Discipline"ByBy

John N LoughboroughJohn N Loughborough

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The Church

"Upon "Upon this Rockthis Rock I I will build by will build by churchchurch; and the ; and the gates of hell shall gates of hell shall

not prevail against itnot prevail against it." ."

Matt.16:18.Matt.16:18.

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The ChurchIt' FoundationIt' Foundation

The The church of Christ is called a church of Christ is called a buildingbuilding. As it is essential to the . As it is essential to the security and permanence of a building security and permanence of a building that it that it have a firm foundationhave a firm foundation, , so of this so of this spiritual templespiritual temple the Lord says: "Behold, the Lord says: "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundationI lay in Zion for a foundation a a stonestone, a , a tried stonetried stone, a , a precious corner stoneprecious corner stone, a , a sure foundationsure foundation." Isa.28:16. Paul, in his ." Isa.28:16. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, said, "letter to the Corinthians, said, "Other Other foundationfoundation can can no man lay than that is no man lay than that is laidlaid, which is Jesus Christ." 1Cor.3:11., which is Jesus Christ." 1Cor.3:11.


Our Saviour said of the Our Saviour said of the true character true character building in his churchbuilding in his church, "Why call ye me, , "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I do not the things which I saysay? ? Whosoever cometh to meWhosoever cometh to me, and , and heareth heareth my sayingsmy sayings, and , and doeth themdoeth them, , I will show I will show you to whom he is likeyou to whom he is like: : he is like a man he is like a man which built an house on a rockwhich built an house on a rock: and : and when when the flood arosethe flood arose, the , the stream beat stream beat vehemently upon that housevehemently upon that house, and , and could not could not shake itshake it: for : for it was founded upon a rockit was founded upon a rock." ." Luke 6:46-48. Luke 6:46-48.


In the Ephesian letter, Paul writes: In the Ephesian letter, Paul writes: "Now therefore ye are no more "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and citizens with the saints, and of theof the household of Godhousehold of God; and are ; and are built built upon the foundationupon the foundation of the of the apostles apostles and prophetsand prophets, , Jesus Christ himself Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stonebeing the chief corner-stone." ." Eph.2:19, 20Eph.2:19, 20..

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The ChurchChrist the RockChrist the Rock

We will notice a few of the many scriptures We will notice a few of the many scriptures in which in which Christ is spoken as the rockChrist is spoken as the rock: "I will : "I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the rock, his greatness unto our God. He is the rock, his work is perfectwork is perfect: for : for all his ways are all his ways are judgmentjudgment: a : a God of truth and without God of truth and without iniquityiniquity, , just and right is hejust and right is he." Deut.32:3, 4. ." Deut.32:3, 4. "Of the "Of the Rock that begat thee thou art Rock that begat thee thou art unmindfulunmindful, and , and hast forgotten God that hast forgotten God that formed theeformed thee." Verse 18. "." Verse 18. "Their rockTheir rock is is not not as our Rockas our Rock, , even our enemies themselves even our enemies themselves being judgesbeing judges." Verse 31. ." Verse 31.

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The ChurchChrist the RockChrist the Rock

The The inspired words of Hannahinspired words of Hannah, after the , after the birth of Samuel, are of the same import: birth of Samuel, are of the same import: ""There is none holy as the LordThere is none holy as the Lord: for there is : for there is none beside thee: none beside thee: neither is there any rock neither is there any rock like our Godlike our God." 1Sam.2:2. So are the words ." 1Sam.2:2. So are the words of David, when delivered "out of the hand of David, when delivered "out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:" "And he said, Saul:" "And he said, the Lord is my rockthe Lord is my rock, , and and my fortressmy fortress, and , and my deliverermy deliverer." "For ." "For who is God, save the Lord" And who is God, save the Lord" And who is a who is a RockRock, , save our Godsave our God?" 2Sam.2:2, 32. Still ?" 2Sam.2:2, 32. Still further, "he further, "he only is my rock and my only is my rock and my salvationsalvation; he is ; he is my defensemy defense; I ; I shall not be shall not be greatly movedgreatly moved." Ps.62:2.." Ps.62:2.

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The ChurchChrist the Tried StoneChrist the Tried Stone

Christ is not only called the rock, but he is Christ is not only called the rock, but he is also also called thecalled the tried stonetried stone. We read: "I will . We read: "I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvationart become my salvation. The stone which . The stone which the the builders refusedbuilders refused is is become the head-become the head-stone of the cornerstone of the corner. . This is the Lord's doingThis is the Lord's doing; ; it is it is marvelous in our eyesmarvelous in our eyes." Ps.118:21-23. ." Ps.118:21-23. Inspired comment is givenInspired comment is given on this text in on this text in the New Testament in our the New Testament in our Saviour's parable Saviour's parable of the vineyard and the husbandmenof the vineyard and the husbandmen::


"Then said the lord of the vineyard, What "Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I shall I do? I will send my beloved sonwill send my beloved son: it : it may be they will reverence him when they may be they will reverence him when they see himsee him. But when the husbandmen saw . But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill let us kill himhim, that the , that the inheritance may be oursinheritance may be ours. So . So they cast him out of the vineyard, and they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What killed him. What therefore shall the Lord therefore shall the Lord of the vineyard do unto themof the vineyard do unto them??


He shall come and destroy these He shall come and destroy these husbandmenhusbandmen, and , and shall give the vineyard shall give the vineyard unto othersunto others. And when they heard it, they . And when they heard it, they said, said, God forbidGod forbid. And he beheld them, and . And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, said, What is this then that is written, The The stone which the builders rejectedstone which the builders rejected, the , the same same is become the head of the corneris become the head of the corner? ? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be brokenbe broken; but on ; but on whomsoever it shall fallwhomsoever it shall fall, , it will grind him to powderit will grind him to powder." Luke 20:13-18.." Luke 20:13-18.

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The Church Christ the Tried StoneChrist the Tried Stone

Should any doubt remain in the mind of Should any doubt remain in the mind of any that this stone refers to Christany that this stone refers to Christ, , assurance is made doubly sure by the assurance is made doubly sure by the words of Peter before the rulerswords of Peter before the rulers, elders, , elders, and priests in Jerusalem: "and priests in Jerusalem: "If we this day If we this day be examined of the good deed to the be examined of the good deed to the impotent manimpotent man, , by what means he is by what means he is made wholemade whole; be it ; be it known unto you allknown unto you all, , and and to all the people of Israelto all the people of Israel, ,


that by the name of Jesus Christ of that by the name of Jesus Christ of NazarethNazareth, , whom ye crucifiedwhom ye crucified, , whom God whom God raised from the dead even by him doth raised from the dead even by him doth this man stand here before you wholethis man stand here before you whole. . This is the This is the stone which was set at naught stone which was set at naught of you buildersof you builders, which is , which is become the head become the head of the cornerof the corner. . Neither is there salvation in Neither is there salvation in any otherany other: for : for there is none other name there is none other name under heaven given among menunder heaven given among men, , whereby whereby we must be savedwe must be saved." Acts 4:9-12.." Acts 4:9-12.

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The ChurchChrist the Foundation of the ChurchChrist the Foundation of the Church

"The "The church is built upon Christ as its church is built upon Christ as its foundationfoundation; it is ; it is to obey Christ as its to obey Christ as its headhead. . It is not to depend upon menIt is not to depend upon men, , nor nor be controlled by menbe controlled by men. . Many claim that a Many claim that a position of trust in the church gives them position of trust in the church gives them authority to dictate what other men shall authority to dictate what other men shall believe and what they shall dobelieve and what they shall do. . This This claim God does not sanctionclaim God does not sanction. The Saviour . The Saviour declares, `declares, `All ye are brethrenAll ye are brethren.' .' All are All are exposed to temptationexposed to temptation, and are , and are liable to liable to errerr. " - "Desire of Ages," page 491.. " - "Desire of Ages," page 491.


""Upon no finite being can we depend for Upon no finite being can we depend for guidanceguidance. . The rock of faith is the living The rock of faith is the living presence of Christ in the churchpresence of Christ in the church. . Upon this Upon this the weakest may dependthe weakest may depend, and , and those who those who think themselves the strongest will prove think themselves the strongest will prove to be the weakestto be the weakest, , unless they make unless they make Christ their efficiencyChrist their efficiency. `. `Cursed be the man Cursed be the man that trusteth in manthat trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his , and maketh flesh his arm.' The Lord is `the Rock, his work is arm.' The Lord is `the Rock, his work is perfect,' `perfect,' `blessed are all they that put blessed are all they that put their trust in himtheir trust in him.' " - "Desire of Ages," .' " - "Desire of Ages," page 491.page 491.


We read in We read in Peter's first epistle of the Peter's first epistle of the foundation stone and the building upon itfoundation stone and the building upon it: : "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile and hypocrisies, and envies, and all guile and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as new-born babes, evil speakings, as new-born babes, desire desire the sincere milk of the Wordthe sincere milk of the Word, that ye may , that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that tasted that the Lord is graciousthe Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as . To whom coming, as unto a living stoneunto a living stone, disallowed indeed of , disallowed indeed of men, but men, but chosen of Godchosen of God, and , and preciousprecious, ye , ye also, as also, as lively stoneslively stones, are , are built up a spiritual built up a spiritual househouse, and , and holy priesthoodholy priesthood, to , to offer up offer up spiritual sacrificesspiritual sacrifices, , acceptable to God by acceptable to God by Jesus ChristJesus Christ..


Wherefore also it is contained in the Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief chief corner-stonecorner-stone, , electelect, , preciousprecious: and : and he that he that believeth on him shall not be confoundedbelieveth on him shall not be confounded. . Unto you therefore which Unto you therefore which believe he is believe he is preciousprecious: but unto them which be : but unto them which be disobedient, the disobedient, the stone which the builders stone which the builders disalloweddisallowed, the , the same is made the head of same is made the head of the cornerthe corner, and , and a stone of stumblinga stone of stumbling, and a , and a rock of offenserock of offense, even to , even to them which stumble them which stumble at the wordat the word, being disobedient: whereunto , being disobedient: whereunto also also they were appointedthey were appointed." 1Peter 2:1-8.." 1Peter 2:1-8.

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The ChurchTrue Mode of BuildingTrue Mode of Building

In his first epistle to the Corinthians, In his first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul shows us the Paul shows us the proper mode of proper mode of building upon the foundationbuilding upon the foundation: "For : "For we we are laborers together with Godare laborers together with God: : ye are ye are God's husbandryGod's husbandry, , ye are God's buildingye are God's building. . According to the grace of God which is According to the grace of God which is given unto megiven unto me, as a wise master builder, , as a wise master builder, I have I have laid the foundationlaid the foundation, another , another buildeth thereon. buildeth thereon. But let every man take But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereuponheed how he buildeth thereupon..

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The ChurchTrue Mode of BuildingTrue Mode of Building

For For other foundation can no man lay that other foundation can no man lay that that is laidthat is laid, which is Jesus Christ. , which is Jesus Christ. Now if any Now if any man build upon this foundationman build upon this foundation gold, silver, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every every man's work shall be made manifestman's work shall be made manifest: for the : for the day shall declare it, because day shall declare it, because it shall be it shall be revealed by firerevealed by fire; and ; and the fire shall try every the fire shall try every man's work of that sort it isman's work of that sort it is. . If any man's If any man's work abide which he hath built thereuponwork abide which he hath built thereupon, , he he shall receive a rewardshall receive a reward. . If any man's work If any man's work shall be burnedshall be burned, , he shall suffer losshe shall suffer loss: : but he but he himself shall be savedhimself shall be saved; ; yet so as by fireyet so as by fire." ." 1Cor.3:9-15.1Cor.3:9-15.

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The ChurchSaved as by Fire Saved as by Fire

In "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. III, In "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. III, page 165, we have the following reference page 165, we have the following reference to this text: "But to this text: "But God is all-pitifulGod is all-pitiful, , graciousgracious, , and and tendertender, and , and when light come to those when light come to those who have injured their health by sinful who have injured their health by sinful indulgencesindulgences, and , and they are convinced of sinthey are convinced of sin, , and and repent and seek pardonrepent and seek pardon, , he accepts the he accepts the poor offering rendered to himpoor offering rendered to him, and , and receives receives themthem. Oh, . Oh, what tender mercy that he does what tender mercy that he does not refuse the remnant of the abused life of not refuse the remnant of the abused life of the sufferingthe suffering, , repentant sinnerrepentant sinner! !

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The ChurchSaved as by Fire Saved as by Fire

In "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. III, In "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. III, page 165, we have the following page 165, we have the following reference to this text: "reference to this text: "In his gracious In his gracious mercymercy, , he saves these souls as by firehe saves these souls as by fire. . But But what an inferiorwhat an inferior, , pitiful sacrifice at pitiful sacrifice at bestbest, , to offer to a pure and holy Godto offer to a pure and holy God! ! Noble faculties have been paralyzed by Noble faculties have been paralyzed by wrong habits of sinful indulgencewrong habits of sinful indulgence. The . The aspirations are pervertedaspirations are perverted, and , and the soul the soul and body defacedand body defaced."."

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The ChurchThe Wilderness Church The Wilderness Church

Paul in writing of the work accomplished Paul in writing of the work accomplished for the upbuilding of the Israelitish church for the upbuilding of the Israelitish church in the wilderness, said: "All our fathers in the wilderness, said: "All our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for for they drank of that spiritual Rock that they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed themfollowed them: and : and that Rock was Christthat Rock was Christ." ." 1Cor.10:1-4.1Cor.10:1-4.

ChapterChapter 1 1 – The Church – The ChurchThe Wilderness Church The Wilderness Church

Those who accept Christ as the rockThose who accept Christ as the rock, , and and feast upon his Word as the true feast upon his Word as the true meat and drinkmeat and drink, - , - these are building these are building upon a firm foundationupon a firm foundation, and , and can can indeed singindeed sing, -, -

"On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All "On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand."other ground is sinking sand."

the church, its organization, order chapter 1

Documents

church christ

tried stone christ

church thechurch

foundation thechurch

atried stone

aprecious corner stone

jesus christ of nazareth

chief cornerstone