SEMESTER 1
304 – The Definition of the Word Church (Continued) and Exposition # 2
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY I LESSON # 4
THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD CHURCH (CONTINUED) AND SCRIPTURAL EXPOSITION
INTRODUCTION:
1. In the previous lesson we were simply studying Scriptures containing the word church.
2. The proposition was that there is no biblical statement or implication of a universal, invisible church.
3. We rather assert that all Scripture relates to the church either in a local or an institutional sense.
4. We have mentioned also the talk of the church in a prospective sense. (Explain)
5. I shall question this: Scriptures are few and interpretation is dubious.
I. CONTINUATION OF EXPOSITION FROM LAST LESSON
(I Tim. 3:15
, Heb. 2:12, Heb. 12:23, III Jn. 3:9-10)
II. CONSIDERATION OF THE “PROSPECTIVE THEORY”
1. It seems to me that only two verses, at most, lend themselves. (Eph. 5:27, Heb. 12:23)
2. Do the Scriptures dictate this or must it be “read into” them?
3. Why the prospective theory? A holdover from the universal.
III. WHY THE UNIVERSAL THEORY
1. The false principle of Catholicism necessitates it.
III: A pyramiding human structure, pope – cardinals -bishop – etc.
2. Without this concept, the human structure breaks down.
3. This structure is alive and well in “Protestantism.”
III: Fellowships, conventions, etc., and “stick with the bunch.”
IV. THE ILL EFFECTS OF SUPERSTRUCTURES
1. They necessitate compromise of doctrine.
2. They necessitate compromise of character principles.
III: Baptist preachers co-operating with men they would discipline in their church.
3. They cannot be buried when they die.
V. UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE DESTROYS LOCAL CHURCH
1. By salving conscience of non-attenders.
2. By competing for funds.
3. By usurping divinely ordained authority.
4. By destroying the bodily principle of function
CONCLUSION: The biblical principle is local church, plus nothing, minus nothing