Josiah - Child King
ONE BODY
Josiah - Child King
ONE BODY
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word church as “a building for public especially Christian worship.” This is the way the word is most often used by people, thus its dictionary meaning. Obviously, we have misunderstood God’s meaning of the “one body” – the church.
Jesus Christ said, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in You?” (1 Cor. 3:16). Our Lord also said, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God. As God hath said: I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (2 Cor. 6:16).
Obviously, according to Webster, most people use the word “church” materialistically – directly opposed to God’s Word. This simply illustrates that man's thoughts; man’s tradition is not an eternal basis or foundation on which to establish the “one body” spoken of in the New Testament. In order to build the New Testament church in our age, there is only one blue-print guaranteed to meet God’s standard – Holy Scripture. Nothing more, nothing less will do. In other words, following the traditions, creeds, and dogmas of religious systems, i.e., man’s blue-print, can never produce the church of our Lord as revealed in the New Testament.
So, in view of the grand foundation-truth of the unity of the body, what should be our attitude? This truth is distinctly revealed in the New Testament, and cannot possibly be questioned. Even a casual reading of the following Holy Scriptures will establish knowledge and a hearty belief of this truth: 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, Ephesians 2 and 4, Colossians 2 and 3.
Such is the divine order; we cannot study the New Testament and fail to see this blessed truth. We find in various cities and towns saints gathered by the Holy Spirit in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; as, for example, at Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, and Thessalonica. Yes, these were independent, isolated, fragmentary assemblies, but still part of the one body, so that a member of the church in one place was a member of the church everywhere. What made them “one body”? It was their trust in and adherence to God’s authority in all things. Even in the 1st Century some were sitting themselves off from the “one body”, by following after certain men. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul condemned such division: “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (I Cor. 1:12)
In our age there are many religious systems, sects and denominations, whose very existence discards the above Holy Scripture. The pattern of God’s church is revealed in the New Testament.
The religious world has obviously failed to carry out God’s Word regarding unity. The thought of this should humble us before God. Not one can throw a stone at another, for we share the guilt in this matter. The object of StudyJesus.com is not to promote or attempt to set up ecclesiastical pretensions, or suggest countenance to hollow assumption, in the face of manifest sin and failure. God forbid. We say with our very heart of hearts that we believe there is a most urgent call on God’s people – it is a call to humble themselves in the dust, because of our sad departure from the truth so plainly revealed in the Word of God.
So it was with the pious and devoted king Josiah. He found the book of the law, discovered in its sacred pages an order of things completely different from what he saw around him. How did he act? Did he say, “What was good for my parents is good enough for me?” No; he humbled himself before God, and called on others to do the same. He sought to carry out the truth of God. He aimed at the highest standard, and the consequence was that “from the days of Samuel the prophet, there was no Passover like to Josiah’s kept in Israel; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a Passover.”
Such was the result of faithful obedience and adherence to the Word of God, and it will always be, for “God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Look at the actions of the remnant that returned from Babylon, in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. What did they do? They set up the altar of God; built the temple, and repaired the walls of Jerusalem. In other words, they occupied themselves with true worship of the God of Israel. This is what trusting faith always does, regardless of circumstances. If the remnant had looked at circumstances, they could not have acted. They were a poor contemptible handful of people, under the dominion of uncircumcised Gentiles. They were surrounded on all sides by enemies, who left nothing undone when it came to blocking and hindering their work. These enemies ridiculed them, and said, “What do these feeble Jews? Will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?” But, not only did they have to contend with powerful foes without, there was also internal weakness, for “Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish, so that we are not able to build the wall” (Neh. 4). All this was depressing; and different from the brilliant and palmy days of Solomon, who had many strong burden-bearers; who did not face rubbish covering the great stones, nor contemptuous foes sneering at his work. Yet, even with all that, there were features attached to the work of Ezra and Nehemiah that are not found in the days of Solomon. In other words, their feebleness, the piles of rubbish, and the proud and insulting enemies added a peculiar halo of glory to their work. They built and prospered, God was glorified, and He declared these cheering words: “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of Hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of Hosts” (Hag. 2:9).
We encourage a careful reading and study of the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah. They are filled with instruction, comfort, and encouragement for our age. The devil has not changed; he hates the thought of unity as he hates any doctrine of Divine revelation, and he seeks to hinder any attempt to carry it out as he sought to hinder the rebuilding of Jerusalem in the days of Nehemiah. But we should not be discouraged. It is enough that we find the precious truth of “one body” in God’s Word. Religious systems, sects and denominations, cannot stand under the light of God’s Word. When our eyes are open to God’s authority, it will most assuredly put us on our faces in the dust before our God because of our ways. But, at the same time, it will lift up our hearts to the contemplation of God’s standard. It will so enlighten and elevate our souls that we will be rendered thoroughly dissatisfied with anything and everything that does not believe in, express, and work toward the unity of the body of Christ. It is impossible that we can drink the truth of “one body” into our souls and be satisfied with anything short of recognition and acceptance. True, we must make up our minds to bear the brunt of the enemy’s opposition, but faith can say, “Is God for me? I fear not, though all against me rise; When I call on Christ my Savior the host of evil flies.”
There is ample encouragement for our souls in the Word of God. If we look at Josiah, just before the captivity, what do we see? We see a man simply taking the Word as his guide, judging himself and all around by its light, rejecting all that was contrary to it, and seeking, with earnest purpose of heart, to carry out what he found written there. And what was the result? The most blessed Passover that had been celebrated since the days of Samuel.
If we look at Daniel, during the captivity, what do we see? A man acting simply on the truth of God, though death stared him in the face. What was the result? The result was a glorious testimony to the God of Israel, and the destruction of Daniel’s enemies.
Finally, if we look at the remnant, after the captivity, what do we see? – men, in the face of appalling difficulties, rebuilding Jerusalem. And what was the result? – the joyous celebration of the feast of tabernacles, which had not been known since the days of Joshua the son of Nun.
If we inquire as to the effect of the above cases regarding looking at surrounding circumstances, what do we find? Take Daniel, for instance. Why did he open his window toward Jerusalem? Why look toward a city of ruins? Why call attention to a spot that bore testimony to Israel’s sin and shame? Why not let the name of Jerusalem sink into oblivion? We can only guess at Daniel’s reply to all such questions. Men might smile and deem him a visionary enthusiast; but he knew what he was doing. His heart was occupied with the city of David, the grand gathering-point for Israel’s twelve tribes. Was he to give up God’s truth because of outward circumstances? No; he wept, prayed, fasted, and chastened his soul before God, but never lowered the standard. Did he give up God’s thoughts about Zion because Israel was unfaithful? No; Daniel knew better, his eye was fixed on God’s eternal truth; therefore, though he was in the dust because of sin, yet God’s banner floated in unfading glory above his head.
How does that apply to our age? We are called to fix our gaze of faith on the imperishable truth of “one body”; and not only to gaze on it, but seek to carry it out in our feeble measure. This is our one definite and constant aim. We should always seek the unity of the body. We are not to ask, “How can this be?” Faith never says “How?” in the presence of God’s revelation; it believes and acts. Religious systems, sects and denominations, may fight against us, saying it can’t be done; but we are not to surrender the truth of God on the plea that we cannot carry it out. The truth is revealed, and we are called to bow to it. We are not called to form the unity of the body. Very many seem to think that this unity is a something which they themselves are to set up or form in some way or another. This is a mistake. Our job is to hold up God’s standard – the Gospel of Christ. God’s Word is able to withstand anything presented by Satan. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
Our job is to uphold and defend the doctrine of Christ. Consider these Holy Scriptures: “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines...” (Heb. 13:9). “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed” (2 John 9, 10). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Our job is not to focus on or build up “church attendance numbers.” In fact, we don’t need to be concerned in the least regarding whether Holy Scripture will be accepted or rejected, because, as the Apostle Paul wrote, the increase belongs to God: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” No; our concern should be the pure religion expressed by James: “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (1:27, NKJV).
This gives definiteness to our course. It is important to have a distinct object to work toward. Look at Paul, that most devoted of workmen. What was the Apostle Paul’s aim – for what did he work? “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body’s sake, which is the Church: whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily” (Col. 1:24-29).
This is not sect-making; preaching to swell the ranks of a religious system; seeking to get people to join this or that sect or denomination. No; we should simply return to God’s pattern, as revealed in the New Testament – His eternal blue-print. When one builds a house, an architect draws up a blue-print that builders are to follow from laying the foundation, to framing in, to the completed home. God is our eternal architect, and His blue-print is clearly revealed in the New Testament. The price has been paid, and if God’s plans are followed then your beautiful eternal home will be constructed on a firm foundation – the Rock, Jesus Christ.
