313 – The Indestructibility of the Church

SEMESTER 1

313 – The Indestructibility of the Church

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

 COURSE:  ECCLESIOLOGY I LESSON # 13
THE INDESTRUCTIBILITY OF THE CHURCH

Read Mat. 16:13-18, Acts 4:1-4, 18-31, Acts 5:3-10 compared to Acts 5:11-16, Acts 6:1 compared to Acts 6:7, Acts 8:1-4, Acts 11:19-21, Acts 12:1-5

INTRODUCTION:

1. This large number of Scriptures revealing persecution, sets before God’s people a pattern that should bring great faith.
2. The truth it bears out is that God’s purpose shall stand. Read Ex. 1:12.
3. This lesson is to assure us of the indestructibility of the church.
4. That is not to say the indestructibility of any particular church, but of the divine institution (the local church).
5. It shall stand to the end of the age, because:

I. GOD SO PURPOSED IT

1. Hundreds of man-conceived, religious institutions have arisen and fallen during the last two thousand years. Too many have arisen, too few have fallen.

i. They were originated with good intentions.
ii. Many which have flourished, do so to the originator’s shame.
iii. All of them have in common, no right of existence.

2. The church alone has the distinction of being conceived and originated by God. Like the body, it will die of its infirmities.
3. Absolutely no other religious institution has this claim.

i. Not mission boards, societies or conventions.
ii. Not “fellowships,” Bible clubs, fraternities, or “Bible study groups.”

4. The Lord’s purpose for the church was world evangelism.
5. God purposed and pledged, that it should stand to the end of the age. (Mat. 16:18, Mat. 28:19-20)

II. NOT BECAUSE HUMAN SAFEGUARDS WILL OR CAN FACILITATE ITS PERPETUITY

1. As men of good intentions have built “helpers” for, “se­rvants” of the church, they have tried to build safeguards.

i. Laws to permit it.
ii. Laws to protect it.
iii. Even laws to provide for it.
iv. Philosophies to tolerate it.

2. The helpers and servants have always become the masters. (Ecc. 10:5-7)

III: Conventions, fellowships, associations, become the power over the churches.
III: “resolutions.”

3. In the same sense the safeguards, become the destroyers.

i. Laws which permit it, must define it, thus confine it.
ii. Laws which protect it, must approve it, thus inspect it.
iii. Laws which provide for it, must identify it, thus demand certain identify­ing marks.
iv. Laws and philosophies, which demand toleration, must decide what should and, therefore, what should not be tolerated.

III. GOD’S CONSTITUTION OF HIS SAINTS

1. History will show that tolerance has bred and borne lethargy and apostasy.
2. On the other hand, persecution has caused prayer, soul sear­ching, worship and purging of the church. (Consider the introductory Scriptures.)
3. During the Roman persecution, the dark ages, and the “refo­rmation period” millions of Christians gave themselves to martyrdom.
4. Ask yourself, “Were they more noble and less depraved than men today?” No!
5. In iron curtain and other intolerant countries, men are doing the same today.
6. A law today, that forbad Baptist privileges, would bring true Baptists to their knees, by the millions.
7. This is because we truly turn to God, only when, and in the areas where, our soul feels we must have Him.

IV. THE CHURCH IS INDESTRUCTIBLE BECAUSE GOD IS WITH US (READ ACTS 18:1-11)

1. The Lord so promised His apostles in Mat. 28:18-20. He is with us to:

i. Rebuke and chasten us when we sin. (Heb. 12:5-6)
ii. To correct us when we err. (Gal. 2:11-21)
iii. To lift us up when we fall. (I Cor. 10:12-15)
iv. To receive us into glory when we are finished. (Acts 7:55-60)