THE KINGDOM OR CHURCH OF CHRIST.

      (1). Prophecies concerning it. (a) Isaiah and Micah predicted that the law should go forth out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isa., 2:1-3; Mic., 4:1-3); (b) Jeremiah predicted that the Lord would establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, that it should not be like unto the covenant that He made with their fathers when he brought them out of Egypt, that He would put His laws in their minds and write them in their hearts, that they would know the Lord and that their sins and iniquities should be remembered against them no more (Jer., 31:31-34; Heb., 8:7-13); (c) and Daniel predicted that the God of heaven would set up a kingdom that should never be destroyed and that it should consume and break in pieces all other kingdoms, and stand forever (Dan., 2:44).

      (2). Foundation. Isaiah predicted that a foundation stone should be laid in Zion (Isa., 28:16), and that stone is Christ (Matt., 16:13-20; Rom., 9:32, 33; I. Cor., 3:10, 11; Eph., 2:19-22; I. Pet., 1:6-8). [214]

      (3). Head. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church (Col., 1:18; Eph., 5:23).

      (4). The beginning. In contemplating this subject, we should note the general drift of the Bible teaching prior to the death of Christ: (a) It was in the future when God made promises to Abraham (Gen., 12:1-3), to Isaac (Gen., 26:1-5), and to Jacob (Gen., 28:10-14); it was in the future when Jacob prophesied of the coming of Shiloh (Gen., 49:1, 8-10; Heb., 2:14; Rev., 1:1-5); it was in the future when Moses predicted the coming of One whose authority should be supreme (Deut., 18:15-18); it was in the future when Isaiah predicted the bringing in of the Gentiles (Isa., 54:1-3; 62:1-4); it was in the future when John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea (Matt., 13:1-13); it was in the future when Jesus announced to His disciples that some of them would live to see it come with power (Mark, 9:1); it was in the future when Jesus visited Caesarea Philippi (Matt., 16:13-17); it was in the future, near the close of the earthly life of Jesus, for the disciples were expecting it to immediately appear (Luke, 19:11-27); it was in the future when Jesus was on the cross (Luke, 23:42, 43); it was in the future after the death of Jesus on the cross (Mark, 15:43); it was in the future, just preceding the ascension (Acts, 1:6, 7). (b) Previous to Pentecost the Church or Kingdom is spoken of as in the future, but after that day it is spoken of as having an actual existence (Acts, 2:41; 5:11; 8:1; Heb., 12:28). It was necessary to abolish the first institution in order to [215] establish the second (Heb., 10:9): but the first was not removed during the life of Jesus, for He commanded His disciples to follow the teaching of the law as expounded by the Scribes and Pharisees (Matt., 23:1-3), and the vail of the temple was not rent in twain until He expired (Matt., 27:51; Eph., 2:13-16). (c) The new institution was to be characterized by the absolute blotting out of sins (Jer., 31:31-34), and as the blood of animal sacrifices could never take away sin it was indispensably necessary for Christ to die before the work could be done (Matt., 26:28; Rom., 5:9; Heb., 9:14-22; 10:4; I. Pet., 1:18, 19). (d) The church was purchased by Jesus and was not His until He paid the price (Matt., 20:28; I. Cor., 6:19, 20). (e) The body could not exist without the spirit (I. Cor., 6:19, 20; Jas., 2:26) and the Spirit was not given until the glorification of the Lord (John, 7:38, 39; Acts, 1:5). (f) The prophets, Jesus Christ and His apostles agree in placing the beginning at Jerusalem (Ps., 110:1-4; Isa., 2:1-3; 62:1, 2; Joel, 2:28-32; Mic., 4:1, 2; Luke, 24:45-53; Acts, 1:5-8; 2:1-47; 8:1; Gal., 4:21-31). The work was inaugurated on the first Pentecost after the ascension of Christ. This day is distinguished from all others in the world's history: (a) The disciples received their first message from Jesus after His departure (Luke, 24:50-53; Acts, 2:36); (b) the Holy Spirit came into the world and began through the apostles the evangelization of the world (John, 14:16-18; 16:7-11; Acts, 2:1-4); (c) the prophecies were fulfilled on that day [216] (Isa., 2:1-3; Ps., 110:1-4; Joel, 2:28-32; Mic., 4:1, 2; Acts, 2:1-47); (d) Peter and the other apostles began to bind and loose in the name of Jesus (Matt., 16:18; 18:18; Acts, 2:37, 38); (e) the apostles proclaimed a law of remission in the name of Jesus (Matt., 28:18-20; Acts, 2:37); (f) the apostles did their first preaching under the last and great commission (Mark, 16:15, 16; Acts, 2:14-36).

      (5). The law of admission. In general terms, the law of admission into the Church is the gospel, but conditions are specifically laid down in it by the Lord and His inspired apostles. The gospel may be divided and studied, (a) in promise (Gen., 12:1-3; Gal., 3:16); (b) in prophecy (Gen., 49:10; Isa., 7:14); (c) in preparation (Isa., 40:1-8; Matt., 3:1-12); (d) and in fact (Mark, 4:26-28; I. Cor., 15:1-3). These condition to the alien are: (a) Faith, (b) repentance, (c) confession, (d) and baptism. Faith, (a) its importance (Heb., 11:6); (b) it is taking God at His word (Rom., 4:21); (c) its unity (Eph., 4:5-13); (d) its basis is Jesus Christ (John, 8:24; I. Cor., 3:10, 11); (e) it is produced by hearing the gospel (John, 20:30, 31; Rom., 10:17); (f) it purifies the heart (Acts, 15:9); (g) and its effect on the life (Jas., 2:17-26). Repentance, (a) God is willing for men to repent (Ezek., 18:25-32; II. Pet., 3:9); (b) men can repent, for salvation depends on it (Luke, 13:1-5); (c) the motives that produce it are the goodness of God (Rom., 2:4), and the fear of judgment (Acts, 17:30, 31; II. Cor., 7:10); (d) it is a change of mind resulting in a change or reformation of life (Isa., 55:7; 7:5; Matt., 3:7; Jas., 3:7-10). Confession, [217] (a) men are required to confess Christ (Matt., 10:32, 33); (b) it is done with the mouth unto salvation (Rom., 10:9, 10); (c) and in the presence of witnesses (John, 12:42; Acts, 19:18; I. Tim., 6:12-14). Baptism, (a) the subject--believers in Christ; (b) the action--a burial; (c) the design--for the remission of sins (Matt., 3:14-17; 28:18-20; Mark, 16:15, 16; John, 3:5; Acts, 2:38; Rom., 6:1-3; I. Cor., 12:13; Gal., 3:26, 27; Eph., 4:5; 5:26; Col., 2:12; Heb., 10:22; I. Pet., 3:21).

      (6). The life. Every member of the body of Christ is required to live righteously, soberly and Godly in the present world (Titus, 2:11-14), adding to his faith courage, knowledge, temperance, patient, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity (II. Pet., 1:5-7).

      (7). The assembly. The ancient Christians assembled on the first day of the week to, (a) break bread (Acts, 20:7); (b) and contribute to the Lord's cause as He had prospered them (I. Cor., 16:1, 2).

      (8). Name of the Church. In New Testament times the Church was called the Church of Christ (Rom., 16:16) or the Church of God (I. Cor., 1:1, 2).

      (9). Names of the members. The members of the Church of Christ were called, individually, (a) saints (Rom., 1:7); (b) children of God (Rom., 8:16); (c) heirs of God (Rom., 8:16); (d) brethren (Rom., 12:1); (e) sons of God (I. John, 3:2); (f) disciples; (g) and Christians (Acts, 11:26; I. Pet., 4:16).

      (10). Early history. The early history of the Church is the history of triumph. The apostles began their labors in Jerusalem and in a very short time a very great [218] number of people had yielded to the demands of Christ in Jerusalem and the surrounding country (Acts, 2:37-42; 4:1-4; 5:14; 6:7). Soon Philip, the evangelist, introduced the gospel in the city of Samaria with great success (Acts, 8:1-25), and Peter introduced it among the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius (Acts, 10:1-48; 11:1-26).

[CBC 214-219]