Our Responsibility in the
Present State of the Church
– G. A. Rainbow

Many Christians read the Bible only in the light of what they see around them in Christendom. They do not apply the penetrating light of the Scriptures to the present outward state of the church.

There is an almost universal acceptance of, and apathy as to, the prevailing public state of the church with its –

• rampant denominationalism,
• artificial and mischievous division into clergy and laity,
• set forms of worship,
• edifice-complex,
• secular style seminary training,
• business style organization.

These and other unscriptural aberrations are accepted, virtually without question or investigation, as the divinely ordained pattern of the church.

A few enlightened individuals do see the great discrepancy between the present confusion and the inspired description of the early assembly.

• However they usually feel unable to deal with it.

• Unwilling to walk alone in protest, or to accept the reproach of separation, they suppress their conscience and acquiesce.

What then do the Scriptures say as to the present state of the public church and how it came about?

• What is our responsibility in the present day – and what should our pathway be? Let us see.

G.A.R.

• An extract from "Studies: John: Gospel of Recovery".

Careful students of the Scriptures have long recognized the Old Testament's uniform witness to the repeated failure of man under whatever conditions of responsibility he had been placed by God.

The united testimony of the apostles clearly confirms that the church, in its public position of responsibility, is no exception to the uniform failure of man in previous periods of probation.

• Paul warns of those who would come in after his departure not sparing the flock. Some of the Ephesian elders would even distort the truth and divide the saints. Acts 20: 28-31.

• Peter speaks of false teachers already present who were following the example of Balaam in corrupting the people. 2 Peter 2: 1-3, 12-19.

• Jude points out the ungodly men who had slipped in and had taken the place of shepherds although marked by violence (Cain), corruption (Balaam) and refusal of God's sovereignty (Korah). He looks on to the coming of the Lord in judgment. Jude 1-16.

• Again, Paul warns the Corinthians of God's judgment on those who built wrongly on his foundation, thus corrupting the temple of God. 1 Corinthians 3: 10-16.

• Peter confirms that it is time for the judgment to begin at the house of God. 1 Peter 4: 12-19.

• Near the end of his course, Paul no longer refers to the assembly as "the pillar and base of the truth".
  • All in Asia had by then deserted him and false teachers were denying the resurrection.

  • Separation from iniquity in the great house of profession had become a necessity.

  • He warns of terrible times in which only a form of godliness would remain, and calls for individual faithfulness.

  • 1 Timothy 3: 15; 4: 1-3; 2 Timothy 1: 15; 2: 16-26.

• John warns against the many antichrists, giving their existence as proof that it was the last hour. 1 John 2: 18-27; 2 John 7-11.

• Many lived as enemies of the cross of Christ, having given up the heavenly hope and character of the assembly. Every one was looking out for his own interests and Timothy was Paul's lone model of genuine care for the state of the saints. Philippians 2: 19-21; 3: 18-21.

• Our Lord delineates the deterioration of the dispensation in the parables of the darnel, mustard seed, leaven and seine. Matthew 13: 24-52.

• Citing Israel's rejection, Paul warns the Gentiles that they oo would be cut off from the source of blessing if they did not continue in the goodness of God. Romans 11: 11-24.

• The general spiritual and moral decline is chronicled by John in the prophetic history of the assembly, as depicted in the letters to the seven assemblies of Asia.
  • There were still faithful individuals (overcomers) and some faithful assemblies (Smyrna and Philadelphia).

  • The public responsible body however, which claimed to be God's called-out assembly, had lost its moral purity, its spiritual power and its devotion to Christ, by denying in practice the heavenly origin, character and destiny of the assembly.

  • The church was no longer in its pristine state. It had failed as a responsible public witness. It was in ruin. Revelation 1: 1 – 3: 22.

• This then is the unvarying apostolic testimony. The church had not only left its first love but had embraced in its bosom both the teaching and practice of unrighteousness and corruption. Rev. 2: 4, 14-15, 20.

• An extract from "Studies: John: Gospel of Recovery".

Now, nearly 2,000 years after the apostles, the evidences of the breakdown are even more evident on every side.

Before considering these evidences, it should be emphasized that, important as they are, such matters are negative relating, as they do, to what is wrong and opposed to the Scriptures.

• It is not enough, however, simply to recognize and to separate from the evil, imperative as that is.

• As we withdraw from what is dishonouring to the Lord Jesus we will be enabled to be occupied with what is positive, and engaged in, what is pleasing to Him and proper to the assembly.

Let us then consider the major evidences of the public breakdown.

• Clericalism

• by certain persons as distinct from other members of the body of Christ.

It is not based on divine choice and spiritual qualifications but on a secular-style education and human approval.

Clericalism sets aside

• the sovereignty of the Spirit in the assembly,
• the rights of the Lord over His servants,
• the priesthood of believers,
• and the functioning both of the gifts and of the body.

• Sectarianism

Sectarianism is the formation of partisan groups on a wider or narrower basis than the body of Christ.

Such groups often identify themselves by various unscriptural names, denying the sufficiency of His Name or arrogate to themselves names which belong to the whole assembly.

• They gather around the teachings of men, various practices as to baptism and church government, or on the basis of nationality.

• dishonours the Name of Christ,
• denies the unity of the one body,
• separates brethren unscripturally,
• fosters ecclesiastical snobbery,
• incites contempt for other believers,
• and causes the world to mock.

• Ritualism

Ritualism is the investing of baptism, the Lord's Supper or the worship of God, with magical or idolatrous qualities

• or the turning of them into hollow ordinances devoid of any spiritual meaning.

• Rationalism

Rationalism is the intrusion of the mind of man into the things of God.

• It ignores both the Person and power of the Spirit of God by asserting the ability of fallible and finite man to judge the Scriptures – and even God Himself.

• Earthliness and Worldliness

Earthliness and Worldliness – the twin roots of the baneful weeds of clericalism, sectarianism, ritualism and rationalism – entered the public church very early

• through the acceptance and adoption of Judaistic and pagan practices.

The heavenly hope and character of the assembly were given up, allowing it to be organized as an earthly institution,

• with its emphasis on buildings and outward observances, and even permitting the celebration of heathen festivals under Christian names.

The patronage of the state and the world is sought and accepted as is political power and influence through lobbying and voting.

• Legal incorporation, acceptance of subsidies and tax exemptions, and acting as agents of the state in performing marriages, are other undeniable evidences of an unholy alliance with the world.

Boards, chairmen, committees, parliamentary procedure instead of dependence on the Spirit, appointments made on the basis of natural or business qualifications, denominational structures and seminaries –

• these all result from adopting the standards and practices of the world rather than abiding by divine principles as set out in the Scriptures.

• An extract from "Studies: John: Gospel of Recovery".

From the divine side, however,

• Christ is building His assembly on the rock and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16: 15-18.

• Christ Jesus Himself is still the corner-stone and the whole building is increasing to a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2: 19-22.

• Those coming to Him as the Living Stone are still being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood. 1 Peter 2: 4-5.

• The grand result will be seen publicly in the bride, the Lamb's wife, as the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Revelation 21: 9-10.

• An extract from a letter to a young believer – Feb. 21, 1986.

There are doubtless believers in many of the denominations and systems – and even in some of the cults. But as painful as it may be to us, or offensive to them,

• faithfulness and obedience to the Lord require that we abstain from fellowship in worship or service with those who promote or support any of the antiscriptural principles and practices noted above. 2 Corinthians 6: 14-18; 2 Timothy 2: 19-22.

At the same time, we are concerned for all our brethren and long and look for personal opportunities to share the truth and our experiences with them.

As to you and H— being lone believers in your countries, we pray daily for your preservation.

• The temptations of the world are more enticing when you lack normal Christian fellowship.

• We all need companionship, but not on the basis of compromise or involvement in anything dishonouring to the Lord.

There are instances in Scripture of believers being isolated which offer help.

• Paul in prison and John exiled on Patmos are examples of how the Lord supported His own in isolation.

• Daniel is also a fine model. He and his companions refused to pollute themselves with food offered to idols.
  • Despite being in captivity, far from his homeland, he maintained his relations with God by prayer three times daily.

It is not easy or normal to be alone. We all crave fellowship. But I, and others, know the spiritual loss in seeking fellowship at the expense of divine principles.

• We should always be looking for those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2: 19-22.

• It may be however that the Lord will direct you and H– to move to where there are those with whom you will be able to share freely in the things of God.

I am sure that the Lord has you in mind for blessing and usefulness in His service.

• We cannot forget how it was your prayers and exhortations, from the other side of the world, that the Lord used to encourage L— and H— to start coming to the Bible readings here again.

• This has resulted in blessing for us, as well as for them.

• Undoubtedly you have discerned in your contacts with them that they have grown spiritually, and have come to a real appreciation of Christ and the assembly.

• Now it is your opportunity to profit from their experiences.

About 1827-28, the Spirit of God moved in a distinctive way. Many godly and conscientious saints became aroused as to the clericalism and sectarianism which permeated and dominated the public church.

• Consequently they withdrew from the religious systems and met together, often in private homes, for the Lord's Supper and for edification by those among them who had various spiritual gifts. This work grew in spiritual quality and spread widely.

Over the next 130 years, the Spirit progressively recovered many (long lost) precious truths through a continuing spiritual ministry, among them:

• Christ's headship to the assembly,
• the pretribulation rapture of the saints,
• the Spirit's operations in the assembly,
• the present enjoyment of eternal life,
• practical salvation in the assembly,
• God's great purposes for man in Christ,
• clarification of Christ's Sonship,
• clarification of Christ's Manhood,
• recognition of the Spirit in prayer and worship,
• intelligent worship to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – known in the divine economy.

All these great truths have contributed to the enrichment of the service (worship) of God.

As with every testimony committed to the hands of man, failure and divisions quickly followed. The means were varied:

• the direct attacks of the enemy introducing false teaching and sowing discords among brethren,

• a decline in brotherly love and the development of ecclesiastical pride,

• a failure to live up to the level of divine light granted and to keep the unity of the Spirit.

• All this was accompanied by the exalting of teachers.

Those of us who have shared in the privileges and blessings of the revival must also take our full part in bearing the guilt, and shame before God, for the failure to maintain the recovery of the truth morally.

While seeking grace to walk without pretension and with love to all the saints, in good conscience, there cannot be any recognition of the various parties.

• The clerical and sectarian practices of those who know better are even more odious than those of Christendom generally, and must be repudiated.

There can be no taking common ground

• with those who espouse independency, and who condoned reception of a false teacher's adherents,
  • who now are either rigid and clannish,

  • or almost indistinguishable from the systems –

• nor with those who refused spiritual ministry as heresy and linger on in a fossilized traditionalism.

Nor can there be a return to those who, though blessed with greater light, have been seduced into –

• obscuring the divine standard of manhood in Christ by adulating the ministers,

• debasing the divine standard of truth in the Holy Scriptures by exalting ministry to the same status,

• disregarding both individual and assembly conscience by the legal and harsh enforcement of edicts based on fanciful and irresponsible interpretations of Scripture. Jeremiah 15: 15-21.

What then are we to do? Surely we have not been left on our own to get through the best way we can?

• The Blessed Spirit remains in the assembly to teach and to guide.
  • As we avail ourselves of His service we will find guidance and direction for every contingency. John 14: 15-17; 16: 13-15; Revelation 3: 13.

• The Scriptures remain. The apostles not only foretold the public failure of the professing assembly.
  • They also gave divine instructions for both an individual and a collective path of separation from persons and principles which dishonour the Name of the Lord and hinder the Spirit's free activity in the assembly. 2 Timothy 2: 19-22; 3: 16-17.

• Past Ministry remains, in all its distinctiveness, as an invaluable treasury of Scripture truths – of which we need to take possession.
  • At the same time, the Spirit continues to supply fresh spiritual food for our needs, and to give current applications to our present circumstances of the light previously received. 2 Timothy 1: 13; 2: 2; 4: 13; Hebrews 13: 7.

Divine principles do not change. As ever, recovery in the present day depends on

• suitable moral and spiritual conditions, both separation from evil and holding fast to that which is good –

• along with the practical recognition of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Effete successional positions, with their exclusive claims to the Lord's presence, have no standing before God.

The latest recovery of the truth, however, clearly remains as the final opening up by the Spirit of the apostolic teaching.

• It is therefore the light in which we, and all Christians, are to walk.

John, writing after the public departure had begun, points the way to recovery:

• "If any one love Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him …

• if ye shall keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love …

• This is My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you", John 14: 23; 15: 10-12.

The Lord encourages both collective and individual faithfulness:

• "Behold, I have set before thee an opened door, which no one can shut, because thou hast a little power, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My Name …

• I come quickly: hold fast what thou hast, that no one take thy crown … Revelation 3: 8, 11.

• I rebuke and discipline as many as I love; be zealous therefore and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and am knocking; if any one hear My voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him, and he with Me…

• He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies", Revelation 3: 19-20, 22.

Therefore:

• If we truly believe there is only one body and one fellowship – "the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" –
  • let us refuse to form or join any other special fellowship based on wider or narrower grounds. Ephesians 4: 1-7; 1 Corinthians 1: 9; 10: 16-17; 12: 13.

• Let us commit ourselves afresh to "pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call on the Lord out of a pure heart", 2 Timothy 2: 19-22.

• Let us strive diligently to be morally and practically those whom the Lord can own unashamedly as "My brethren" –
  • refusing to take up or use such a privileged name in any mere historical or ecclesiastical sense. Mark 3: 32-35; Matthew 25: 40; John 20: 17; Hebrews 2: 11-12.

• Let us recognize the supreme importance of an unwavering loyalty to the rejected Christ and
  • a devoted commitment to the continuance of the Lord's Supper and the service (worship) of God, until He come. 1 Corinthians 11: 26; Hebrews 2: 11-12; Ephesians 3: 20-21.

• Let us take up the urgent need of passing on the truth to our younger brethren – and to others whom the Lord may raise up.
  • Let us open our hearts and our homes to such believers and engage them with Christ and His chief interest here, the assembly. Acts 18: 24-28; 2 Timothy 2: 2.

G.A.R.