Where Do You Belong?  

It has been said that the word church should be used, because it is a scriptural word.  The scriptural word is, of course, a Greek word, and we should employ, as a translation of that word, the English word which most accurately conveys the meaning of the original.  The scriptural word has reference to those who are called out.  The word church (although derived from a word signifying belonging to the Lord) does not, according to its general usage, convey the meaning of the scriptural word.  

A more suitable translation of the original is the word assembly. 

The Assembly.  The Two Aspects  

Now in Matthew 16 v 18 are recorded the words of our Lord, I will build My assembly.  ONE assembly is here in view.  We may read of the buildings commencement in Acts 2.  As yet the building is not complete.  The Christ, the Son of the living God, is still building HIS assembly.  

Everybody who obeys the gospel is added to that ONE assembly.  

In Matthew 18 v 17 we have the only other record in the gospels of any reference by name to the assembly. In that verse the assembly is a company able to take action in the case of estrangement between two brethren.  Here the assembly has a local aspect.  Each assembly as presented in Matthew 18 should be a small expression of the ONE assembly presented in Matthew 16.  Everybody belonging to the assembly of Matthew 16 should also be identified with an assembly existing in accordance with the truth of Matthew 18.  

The Guidance of the Holy Scriptures  

Where do you belong?  There are many bodies named Christian in this day of confusion.  What will direct you in this important question of membership in a Christian body?  Will you attend the place:  

1.  Where you think that you will be most happy?  

2.  Where your parents have always gone?  

3.  Where your support is apparently most needed?  

4.  Where you can go most conveniently?  

May we all recognise that the only thing we should heed is the Lords direction as found in the Holy Scriptures.  May we be amongst those who tremble at the word of Jehovah (Isaiah 66 v 2 and 5.)  

Seven Pointers  

The following list of Scriptural truths is not exhaustive, but is indicative.   

1.  The Deity of Christ,

For in HIM dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  (Colossians 2 v 9)  He is the true God and eternal life.  (1 John 5 v 20)  Whoever denies the Son has not the Father either; he who confesses the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2 v 23)  In one Person our blessed Lord Jesus Christ is truly God and truly Man. No truth is more fundamental than that.        

2.  The Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures  

Holy men of God were used to write the sacred Scriptures, but the very words they wrote were God-given.  ALL Scripture is God-breathed.  (2 Timothy 3 v l6.)  Being Gods revelation, the Holy Scriptures are accurate, authoritative and sufficient.        

3.  The Gospel  

For I delivered unto you first of all that which 1 also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: and that He was seen. . . (1 Corinthians 15 v 3-5)  

Be it known unto you therefore . . . that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by HIM all that believe are justified from all things. . .  Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold ye despisers, and wonder, and perish. (Acts 13 v 38-41)        

4. Baptism  

. . . and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptised. (Acts 18 v. 8.)  The one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ should be baptised (i.e., be immersed in water in obedience to HIM.  (See Matthew 28 v 19.)        

5. Breaking of Bread  

And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying; This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me.  Likewise also the cup. . .  (Luke 22 v 19 and 20.)  See also 1 Corinthians 11 v 23-34.       

6. The Exercise of Gift  

The whole section 1 Corinthians chapters12, 13 and 14 is relevant.  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  (1 Corinthians 12 v 4.)

The Holy Spirit gives the various gifts (verses 7 and 11 of the same chapter) and leads utterance (verse 3 of the same chapter).  See also 1 Thessalonians 5 v 19 and 20, where there is a connection between the Spirit and prophesyings.  Scope must be given for the Holy Spirit to operate in the exercise of gifts bestowed by Him.   

7. Elders  

The elders which are among you 1 exhort . . . shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising oversight.  (1 Peter 5 v 1 and 2.)  

Each local assembly is directly responsible to Christ, the Chief Shepherd, and in each developed local assembly elders (called also overseers) are to take care of the flock of God.  

The Functioning of a Local Assembly         

The Holy Scriptures would lead us to a company where these seven things at least are held and aught.  In 1 Corinthians 12 v 14-27 the figure of the human body is used in relation to the assembly.  

A local company of saints should function as a healthy human body 

functions.  Each member has a part to perform for the profit of the body.  The whole body does not consist of one member (an eye, for example), but of many members.  The members belong one to another (for they belong to the one body), need one another and should have the same concern one for another.  These three facts indicate MUTUAL 

RELATIONSHIP (verses 14-20), MUTUAL REQUIREMENT (verses 21-25) and MUTUAL RESPONSE (verses 25 and 26).  

Loyalty  

How important it is that the various members faithfully perform their part, as they remember the Lord together, pray together, study the Word together and witness together. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, says the Scripture.  Let us guard against taking up activities (even spiritual ones) which take us from the local family.  (See Psalm 68 v 6.)  

A scripturally constituted local assembly characterised by grace and truth is a spiritual house for the pleasure and glory of God.  (See Haggai 1 v 8.) May we all make a spiritual contribution to such.  

Attitude to Others  

The Holy Scriptures will not guide us to any of the denominations.  

What should the attitude be to those fellow-saints found in the denominations?  There must be a clear distinction between these saints and the religious systems in which they are found.  Opportunities for individual fellowship with those who have been redeemed with the same precious blood, are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit and await the same consummation of salvation should be valued.  On the other hand, just as it is incumbent upon us to maintain and build up that which is scriptural, it is incumbent upon us not to maintain and build up that which is unscriptural.  Let us not be involved in the sin of sectarianism.  

Finally, may grace be given to us all to seek out and to tread the path which God in His Word has marked out for our feet.  

May our gracious God be pleased to use this little booklet to establish some in an important aspect of His truth.