God’s Chosen People
God’s Chosen People
1977 Quater 3
gMng wo- hn’ng u@n-waV Good investments make good sense. Nicodemus knew that. But still he searched for something more. “Be born again” Jesus had said. The sight of Jesus on the cross final- ized the new birth in Nicodemus’ life. And in the years which followed, he gave his entire wealth to establish the young church. And considered it his best investment ever.
When the Sabbath School
offering is received this
week, before you give,
re-examine your priorities
in light of the Cross. When
Nicodemus did , he
invested his whole life. Can
you think of a better
investment?
Open Heart Let God's love show through your giving.
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS • 8006 BERN, SWITZERLAND 6URO•AFRIOA DIVISION SCHOSSHALDENSTRASSE 17 - • 081 44 52 62
To the Sabbath School Members
around the World
Dear Members and Friends:
It is a special privilege to belong to the great Sabbath School
family and thus to have a part in world-wide mission work. Through
the systematic study of the Scriptures, as well as by our mission
offerings, the Sabbath School has been the source of great blessing
to us. I would not miss this opportunity to express my heartfelt
appreciation to all our Sabbath School members and friends for their
faithfulness and willing sacrifice. The following three projects
in the Euro-Africa Division will benefit from the Thirteenth Sabbath
Overflow this quarter:
1. Nanga-Eboko Seminary: Dormitory and Homes
The future of our work in the countries of French-speaking Africa
depends on the proper training of national workers. Construction
has started at this institution in Cameroun. A dormitory for single
and married theological and teacher-training students, and dwellings
for the teachers must be built.
2. Collonges Seminary: Library
The Seminary at Collonges, France, occupies a vital place in
the training of French-speaking workers for both Europe and Africa.
A new library is their most pressing need, for the present facil-
ities are totally inadequate.
3. Marienhohe Seminary: Chapel
The growth of the college church at MarienhOhe, Germany, has
demanded the use of the gymnasium for holding Sabbath services. A
church building is their urgent need.
To make these projects a reality, we are inviting our Sabbath
Schools around the world to bring the Lord a special offering on
this Thirteenth Sabbath. Knowing of the willingness of your sacri-
fice in the past, I am convinced that you will gladly share in
the development and progress of the work which has been entrusted
to us.
In the spirit of Christian fellowship, I send you my sincere
thanks in anticipation.
...broythe i in 9hrist,
.
Youi. 0(e1rk
- el--
E. Ludescher, President
EL-le Euro-Africa Division
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DAYBREAK SERIES Adult Sabbath School Lessons / No. 329, July-September, 1977
Contnts
1. A Covenant People 7. To Build Up the Church
2. The Messiah Has Come 8. The People of God
3. The True Israel 9. Church Order and Ministry
4. The Body of Christ 10. Church Order and Organization
5. Becoming a Member 11. The Church and the World
6. Called Out—to Go In 12. Characteristics of Christ's Church
13. Jesus and His People
The Adult Sabbath School Lessons are prepared by the Sabbath School Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the lessons is directed by a worldwide Sabbath School Lesson Committee, the members of which serve as consulting editors. Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20012
Lesson Author: Gottfried Oosterwal
Editor: W. Richard Lesher
Editorial Secretary: Florence L. Wetmore
Circulation Manager: Arthur R. Mazat
Art and Design: Concerned Communications
Scripture references other than from the King James Version quoted by permission in this quarterly are as follows: NEB. From The New English Bible, copyright© by the Delegates of the Oxford University Press,and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1961 and 1970. Used by permission of Cambridge University Press, New York City. NIV. From the New International Version of the New Testament, copyright © 1973 by New York Bible Society International. Used by permission. RSV . From the Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1946 (renewed © 1973), 1952 and 1971, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission. TEV: From the Today’s English Version of the New Testament (Good News to Modern Man), copyright © 1966 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Braille lessons available. See page 112.
Adult Sabbath School Lessons (standard edition). Single copy, 40 cents; four issues (1 year) $1.60; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the U.S.A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of SDA), 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California
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Copyright 1977 by Pacific Press Publishing AssociationChildren love good character-building stories, Christian puzzles, and you-do-it exercises found in “OUR LITTLE FRIEND” and “PRIMARY TREASURE.” “PRIMARY TREASURE” also has a special “Parents’ Corner.”
“Read me that dory again, Grandpa!” GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE Introduction During the last one hundred years the Seventh-day Adventist Church has grown from a small group of 7000 believers to a worldwide movement of 3,000,000 people. In 1877 it was a rather isolated communion in North America. Now it is an international church, planted in over 90 percent of all the countries of the world. The church began poor and without organization. This denomination today operates thousands of institutions. It is respected for having one of the finest missionary structures and most effective organizations in the world. Yet these very developments, especially of recent years, pose a number of problems which challenge us to consider the ques- tion: What does it mean to be the church of God today? The quest for national and cultural identity in many areas threatens the unity of our church formation. This raises the question: What is the biblical basis and form of church unity? In a few areas the Seventh-day Adventist Church has become the largest single Protestant denomination, which gives it considerable prestige and social power. In some countries Seventh-day Adventists do not identify themselves as a church. They speak of themselves as a communion or a fellowship of Seventh-day Adventists. To these believers the very word “church” stands for social control, clerical power, falsehood, oppression, Babylon, and anti-Christ. A new look at the biblical meaning of “church” may help to settle this issue. Another series of questions arises concerning the church’s relationship to the state, and to the world in general. Recent changes in the church’s attitude toward accepting government funds for the operation of ,its medical and educational institu- tions demand clarification of the essence and nature of the church. The deepening conflicts between the church’s institutions on one hand, and powerful con- federacies, labor unions, and government agencies on the other, only deepen that need. A number of internal tensions and developments likewise emphasize the need for a systematic study on the biblical view of the church. Traditional patterns of authority and control have been challenged; questions are raised concerning the role of women in the church and their ordination to the ministry; lay movements are urging new forms of lay participation in the administration of the church, etc. Finally, the radically changed missionary situation demands that we take an honest look at ourselves and determine our priorities according to the biblical concepts. Two billion people have never heard with clarity the gospel of Jesus Christ. In many of the existing Christian churches secularization moves ahead along with other changes. In these conditions the question must be asked: What does it mean to belong to God’s chosen people today? Seventh-day Adventists see themselves as a group called to the service of preach- ing the final message to the world. To be a chosen people in this sense does not mean that only they will be redeemed, or that all Seventh-day Adventists will be saved. They recognize the existence of the church invisible made up of all people who have a true faith in Jesus, regardless of their church communion. “There is great necessity for a reformation among the people of God. The present state of the church leads to the inquiry: Is this a correct representation of Him who gave His life for us?”—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 474. May this quarter’s study on the biblical view of the church help to lay the founda- tions for such a reformation.
7
LESSON 1 June 26 to July 2
“I will establish my covenant The church begins with Israel. Its between me and thee and thy seed essence, nature, and purpose are after thee in their generations for an rooted in God’s dealings with His everlasting•covenaat,.ta.baa.r thee, and fo thy seed after thee” (Gen. Jesus, the Head of the church, was the 17:7). Promised One of Israel, their Hope
In Christ all men andwomen are united as God's children, united by
love for one another and for the world around them.
and their Deliverer. As it is impossible principles of God’s government to understand fully the person and would be vindicated and His kingdom work of Christ aside from the Old restored. To that end God, hi His Testament, so it is impossible to get a mercy, called certain persons with iolliundergandins.0 whom He madt a coygnant without the Old lestament testimony whom He extended special blessings. concerning God’s dealings with Israel. That covenant, however, was not just Of course, the converse is true also. to benefit one individual, or a small The full meaning of Israel’s selection group of individuals. No, the blessings can be understood onl in the light of of God’s covenant were intended for
founding of the New Testament (Gen. 12:2), and for all nations,
church. We have to look both ways, kindreds, tongues, and people. "For
therefore. The Old and New God has no favourites" (Rom. 2:11,
Testaments need each other, and they NEB). He is a universal God and does
complement each. other. But we must npt ant that an of his treat
start in the Ordre-itiment. e os ee V eer . , :4,6.)
Our point of departure must be Only in this framework can the story of
Genesis 1 through 11. These chapters God's chosen people be understood.
are a key to the understanding of
God's dealings with 'Israel and the DAILY HIGHLIGHTS .---Ratioosrof-44e-ti4o-a0CLAVOrk
Christ, and of the true nature and goal 1 :6)
of His church. In short, these chapters 2. Grace and Obedience (Ex.
tell us that God created us human 20:2, 3)
beings in His own image and likeness. 3. A Renewed Fellowship
Dependent upon our Creator for life (Joshua 24:24-26)
and breath and alt elselActs I:25) , we 4. TiraelradtreitrnallVdr'''"""
humans were yet crowned with honor (Ps. 67:1, 2, 7)
and glory (Ps. 8:4, 5). The first man and S. Apostasy (Hosea
the first woman, each complementing 8:14; 9:1)
the other, were given power to rule 6. The Hope of Israel (Jer.
all that is in it. Sin made its entrance into the world; the relationship between man and God was broken. As a result, the relationship between humans became — dtstul u. tr ue lrurrtail y w lost. Daily we experience in our lives the misery resulting from that first sin. And daily we repeat that sin in our lives when we fail to honor God in all our
humans as ourselves, and when we pollute or destroy our natural environment. But, though sin separated human beings from God and from one another, God in His
them with His promise of a Redeemer, and He gave them certain rules to live by so that the effects of sin in their lives would be minimized, until the day of A Covenant People LESSON 1 ❑ Sunday June 26
Part 1 "He [Abram] believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him
BY FAITH for righteousness" (Gen. 15:6).
ALONE
The history of God's chosen people begins with Abraham.
God called him away from his surroundings, blessed him, and
made a covenant with him. (See Genesis 12 through 17.)
What promises did God make in His covenant with Abra-
ham? Gen. 12:2, 3; 15:18.
At least four characteristics of the covenant relationship be-
tween God and Abraham stand out clearly: (1) It was God who
chose Abraham; it was not Abraham who first chose God. (2)
The covenant is a promise of God's blessing and eternal protec-
tion. (3) The covenant relates not only to the present, but to the
future as well. (4) The covenant includes not only Abraham and
his immediate family; it includes also his descendants after him,
generation after generation.
What was Abraham's role in the covenant relationship? Gen.
15:6; 17:9, 10.
Though the covenant has its origin with God, it is clearly a
two-way relationship. In return for His grace, God invites us to
put our trust in Him and to obey His word.
What are some ways in which Abraham is an example to
every believer today? Heb. 11:8-10; James 2:21-24.
The starting point of man's salvation is God's call to come
away from his surroundings. By accepting that call—that is, by
putting our faith in God and obeying His word—we become
participants in God's covenant promises.
THINK IT THROUGH How can all nations on earth share in the blessings of the covenant that God made with Abraham?
It was by way of Abraham that God entered into the world of all
nations. His election, and that of all who put thei r trust in God, is
not primarily a privilege, but a responsibility. Election as one of
the chosen people of God is an election for service. When the
service is withheld, the election loses its meaning.
"The people of God are His representatives upon the earth,
and He intends that they shall be lights in the moral darkness of
this world. Scattered all over the country, in the towns, cities,
and villages, they are God's witnesses, the channels through
which He will communicate to an unbelieving world the knowl-
edge of His will and the wonders of His grace." —Patriarchs and
Prophets, p. 134.
FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 125-127, 137, 138. 10 A Covenant People LESSON 1 ❑ Monday June 27
Part 2 "I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the
GRACE AND land Of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no
OBEDIENCE other gods before me" (Ex. 20:2, 3).
During the 400 years from Abraham to Moses God kept His
covenant relationship with His people. It was because of the
covenant relationship that God delivered His people from op-
pression and made them an independent nation under Himself.
What Is the relationship between the Decalogue and God's
covenant with Israel at Sinai? Ex. 19:4, 5; 20:1, 2.
Obedience is a response to the God who redeemed us. The
commandments were given by the Deliverer of Israel to allow
His people to participate in the covenant He had made with
them. The law is an instrument of God's covenant with His
people, a covenant of grace. The commandments remind the
people constantly of their God who redeemed them. They chal-
lenge God's chosen people to put their whole trust only in Him
and to remain within the covenant relationship with their Re-
deemer.
What particular function has the Sabbath In God's covenant
with His people? Ex. 31:13, 16, 17.
Among the visible signs of the special relationship between
God and His chosen people, the Sabbath is truly unique. Unlike
such signs as land or circumcision, the Sabbath has no parallel
outside of Israel. Its rhythm of six plus one is not rooted in a
natural cycle, such as the day, the month, or the year. The
Sabbath is the perpetual seal of the special relationship be-
tween God and His people. When we break that seal, we break
the covenant.
THINK IT THROUGH How does God’s election of Israel reflect God’s love for all humanity?
"The opinion is held by many that God placed a separating
wall between the Hebrews and the outside world; that His care
and love, withdrawn to a great extent from the rest of mankind,
were centered upon Israel. But God did not design that His
people should build up a wall of partition between themselves
and their fellow men. The heart of Infinite Love was reaching out
toward all the inhabitants of the earth. Though they had rejected
Him, He was constantly seeking to reveal Himself to them and
make them partakers of His love and grace. His blessing was
granted to the chosen people, that they might bless others."—
Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 368.
FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 363-373. 11
2-ASS L 3-77 A Covenant People LESSON 1 ❑ Tuesday June 28
Part 3 "The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.
A RENEWED So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set
FELLOWSHIP them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. And Joshua
wrote these words in the book of the law of God" (Joshua 24:
24-26).
Joshua called the twelve tribes of Israel to assemble in
Shechem. Upon their solemn declaration to serve the Lord and
to obey His will, the people were brought into a covenant fellow-
ship with one another. It was on this day that God's people
formally entered a renewed fellowship. The wandering tribes
were now settled in the Promised Land. Their covenantal rela-
tionship with God became the basis of a new covenantal fellow-
ship with each other. Israel was established in its homeland.
God's presence was manifested in a central place of worship
where all the people regularly assembled. The ark of the coven-
ant was the sign of the presence of God among His people, and
the tabernacle, later the temple, served as the central sanctuary.
The unity and fellowship among the tribes was thus manifested
in regular assemblies at a central place of worship.
For what purpose did God's chosen people assemble? Ex.
23:14-17.
The men from the twelve tribes of Israel met three times a year
for the great festivals in the central sanctuary. In the Passover,
the mighty acts of God in the past became an immediate, pres-
ent reality. At the Feasts of Weeks and of Tabernacles the
assembled people of God were assured of the God-given foun-
dations of their present life. The laws of these feasts ceased at
the cross.
THINK IT THROUGH How could this fellowship of the believers and the presence of the Lord become more manifest in our assemblies?
"At these yearly assemblies the hearts of old and young would
be encouraged in the service of God, while the association of
the people from the different quarters of the land would
strengthen the ties that bound them to God and to one another.
Well would it be for the people of God at the present time to have
a Feast of Tabernacles—a joyous commemoration of the bless-
ings of God to them. As the children of Israel celebrated the
deliverance that God had wrought for their fathers, and His
miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from
Egypt, so should we gratefully call to mind the various ways He
has devised for bringing us out from the world, and from the
darkness of error, into the precious light of His grace and
truth."—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 540, 541.
FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 537-542. 12
A Covenant People LESSON 1 ❑ Wednesday June 29
Part 4 "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face
ISRAEL AND to shine upon us; Selah. That thy, way may be known upon
THE NATIONS earth, and thy saving health among all nations."
"God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear
him" (Ps. 67:1, 2, 7).
What was David's prayer request for the nations (the hea-
then)? Ps. 86:9.
The writers of Genesis, Psalms, and the prophetical books
testify that God is the author of all that lives. He created all the
nations. He set their boundaries, and He is deeply concerned for
the salvation of all people.
How were the chosen people to relate to the heathen? Isa.
43:10; Zech. 8:23.
The covenant God made with Abraham embraced all nations
(Gen. 12:2,3), in the same way as all creatures were included in
God's covenant with Noah (Gen. 9:8-15). God sent Joseph into
Egypt to preserve life in all the countries of the famine (Gen.
45:5-8). God sent Moses as a light into the world, as an instru-
ment of God to teach all nations. God's act of electing Israel and
endowing them with special favors and privileges did not imply
a rejection of the heathen. Rather, God called a special people
into existence to serve as His priests to the whole world, as
channels of His grace to all people. The nation of Israel was
elected to be a light unto the nations, calling all to repentance
and to worship the Creator as the only true God.
How did Israel acquit itself of Its priestly role among the
nations? Isa. 5:3-7; Hosea 10:1.
"Israel did not fulfill God's purpose. . . .
.. The blessings they had received brought no blessing to
the world. All their advantages were appropriated for their own
glorification. They robbed God of the service He required of
them, and they robbed their fellow men of religious guidance
and a holy example."—Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 290-292.
"The Jewish people cherished the idea that they were the
favorites of heaven, and that they were always to be exalted as
the church of God."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 294.
THINK IT THROUGH Does the church of God today perhaps stand in the same danger of losing sight of their true calling? How could it be avoided? (See Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11.)
FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 367-371.
13
A Covenant People LESSON 1 ❑ Thursday June 30
Part 5 "Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and
APOSTASY Judah hath multiplied fenced cities." "Thou hest gone a whor-
ing from thy God, thou hast loved a reward" (Hosea 8:14; 9:1).
Through a series of mighty acts the Lord chose and called
Israel to be His people. But His chosen people, called and
elected and brought into a covenant relationship with Him, was
from the beginning, and then throughout its history, inclined to
be unfaithful to its calling and to break the covenant.
What was the general nature of the apostasy of Israel and
Judah? 2 Kings 18:11, 12; 2 Chron. 36:14-16.
God had done everything possible for His people. Yet there
was never a time of perfect obedience to the Lord. Israel first
apostatized at the conclusion of the covenant, when they wor-
shiped the golden calf. Aaron called a feast to the Lord at the
worship of this image. Their great sin was that they mixed the
religion of man with the revelation from God. And that is the
tragic story of God's people throughout the Old Testament.
They wanted to be God's chosen people and to be "like the
other nations." They wished to enjoy the special blessings as
God's church and enjoy at the same time the pleasures and
advantages the world had to offer. The real apostasy was not
that the chosen people no longer professed belief in the Lord,
but that they did not put their trust in Him alone.
How did God react to His people's apostasy? Jer. 3: 12-15;
Hosea 3:1.
Instead of leaving Israel to its own whims and wishes, and
punishing His people for having rejected Him, God shows Him-
self a forgiving father, a loving husband, compassionate,
longsuffering, and merciful. He left nothing undone to call His
people back. (See Isa. 5:4.) He sent them His prophets, even
summoning other nations to bring Israel to its senses, through
oppression, and exile. But neither compassion nor constraint,
neither forgiveness nor force, had any lasting influence. The
people passed the word around, "Neither shall evil come upon
us; neither shall we see sword nor famine" (Jer. 5:12). It was
only when God's judgment came that the people recognized:
"The Lord is righteous; for I have rebelled against his com-
mandment" (Lam. 1:18).
THINK IT THROUGH What parallels exist between Israel’s apostasy and that of God’s church in these last days?
FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 296-300.
14 A Covenant People LESSON 1 ❑ Friday July 1
Part 6 "Not according to the covenant that I made with their fa-
THE HOPE thers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out
OF ISRAEL of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I
was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: but this shall be the
covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those
days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts"
(Jer. 31:32, 33).
Judah's predicament, called for deliverance. Without the
promise of renewal, restoration, and redemption, life would
have been unbearable. Without hope, life is misery.
According to Ezekiel, in what way could Judah expect de-
liverance to come? Eze. 36:22-31.
The prophets promised three forms of deliverance. (1) A rem-
nant shall remain. Through them the purposes of God will be
carried out. (2) A new covenant will be made, marking the
beginning of a new era. (3) A Messiah will come. Through His
death expiation will be made for people's sins. He will establish
an eternal kingdom of peace and righteousness.
What is the difference between the old covenant and the
new? Jer. 31:31-34; Eze. 36:26, 27; Ex. 19:7, 8; 32:15, 16.
In essence, the principles and objectives of the two covenants
are the same. For the new people of God, as for the old, the basis
of the covenant is the unchanging will of God to be the Lord of
His people. He' calls and elects and blesses and makes us His
own. The only thing that is changed is the way in which the
people choose to make the laws of God their own. Although the
will of God was written on tables of stone, God has designed
that His law shall also be written upon the hearts of men. The
new covenant will penetrate to the very center of man's exist-
ence.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the relationship between God’s promise of the new covenant and the coming of the Messiah?
"Through the grace of Christ we shall live in obedience to the
law of God written upon our hearts. Having the Spirit of Christ,
we shall walk even as He walked. . . .
" ' ... God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh,
and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness
of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit.' Romans 8:3, 4."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 372, 373.
FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 681-702.
15
LESSON 2 July 3-9
The Messiah
Has Come
"He [Andrew] first findeth his own because the Lord bath anointed me to
brother Simon, and saith unto him, preach good tidings unto the meek;
We have foun d Messias, which is, he hath sent me to bind up the
"PTiilip findeth Nathanael, and saith the captives, and t e opening of the
unto him, We have found him, of prison to them that are bound; to
whom Moses in the law, and the proclaim the acceptable year of the
prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, Lord." After Jesus had given back the .a,....lbstosaR of Joseph" (John 1:41, 45). scroll to the attendant, He sat down.
All eyes iv—irelbvied on Him. Then Jesus
The Deliverer has come! God's said: "This day is this scripture fulfilled
promises have been fulfilled— in your ears" (Luke 4:21).
promises of the remnant, of the new Jesus revealed Himself to both Jews
covenant, and of the Messiah (see and Gentiles as the Messiah. The
new kingdom. "When the fulness of Jesus, "I know that Messias
to Jesus,
the time was come, God sent forth His cometh." Jesus replied, "1 that speak
Son, made of a woman, made under unto thee am he" (John 4:25, 26). And
the law, to redeem them that were Jesus' whole life and ministry proved
nder the law that we mi ht receive it: He o ened the eyes of the blind and
e op ion o sons • , • ma +e m e wa1VITelb-rWeltiV1—
That Person was Jesus, the son of Mary their sins and lived a life of perfect
of Nazareth. On several occasions obedience to God. In Him, the
Jesus testified of Himself that He was kingdom had come indeed. (See Matt.
the Meisiah, the Son of God. At the 3:2; 4:17; 10:7; etc) Jesus was the one
haBinnino „of His ministry testis went ,fully Atiediernatiaaja.C4 1—
to the synagogue in Nazareth, where covenant with humanity.
He had been brought up, and read The Jews had come to believe that
from Isaiah 61:1, 2 which reads: "The salvation could be achieved by
Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; obedience to the law and that the true
Israel consisted of all those who keep
land neri So ocitlestls
re-introduced God's revelation to man
from the beginning: Sinners are saved
by grace. The true Israel consists of all
those who put their trust in Him, the
MerLiful• the__ orppassionAte. This
message liberated the poor, the
publican, and the prostitute. It
restored hope in the sinful and the
sick. Jesus took their burdens and
:ave them peace. (See Matt. 11:28.)
separation between the have's and the
have-not's, between the high and the
low, between the Jew and the Gentile.
In Christ there is no East or West, no
save pr master, no male or female
(Gal. 3:28). Those who put their trust DAILY HIGHLIGHTS in Him are one, as Christ and the 1. Jesus, the Son of God Father are one. Built on Jesus Christ (Gal. 4:4, 5) and His message of liberation, the 2. Jesus, the Lamb of God sick (John.1 .74) sinful people, ca led saints, whom 3. Jesus, the Son of Man God has called in His Son to a new (Luke 19:10; Mark 10:45) communion with God and into a new 4. Jesus Is Lord fellowship with one another. Whoever (1Cor. 8:6) claims to belon:to the people of God 5. Jesus, Our Mediator
freedom and equality, obedience and 6. Jesus, Our Judge love. (John 5:22)
When God came to become one with His people in Christ, He
demonstrated a love that transcends all human expression.
The Messiah Has Come LESSON 2 ❑ Sunday July 3
Part 1 "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His
JESUS, THE Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them
SON OF GOD that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of
sons" (Gal. 4:4, 5).
Jesus once raised the question: Who do the people say the
Son of man is? Throughout His earthly life the identification of
Jesus ranged from Peter's immediate response "you are the
Christ, the son of the Living God" to "He is possessed; he is
raving. Why listen to Him?" (See Matt. 16:13, 14; John 10:19-21,
NEB). We moderns are still confronted by the same question,
and our answer determines the whole meaning—or lack of
meaning—of our life and existence. The only valid answer,
confirmed in Scripture, is: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God" (Matt. 16:16).
On what basis did Peter say, "Jesus is the Son of God"?
Matt. 16:17; 11:27.
Any individual who is confronted with Jesus recognizes in
Him a unique and very exceptional person. Even His enemies
had to admit that He was different—in authority, in power, in
character, in holiness. Jesus was God. He forgave men their
sins, which led critics to the reaction, "Who can forgive sins but
God only?" (Mark 2:7).
The belief that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God,
is the very foundation upon which the church is built. God
became a man and lived among the people of Palestine some
2,000 years ago. Whoever denies this in words, acts, or thought
shuts himself out of the community of the new Israel. The belief
that Jesus is the Son of God is not just a doctrine. It is a
confession of faith.
What were the consequences of the Jewish people's rejec-
tion of Jesus as the Son of God? Matt. 21:42-44.
"Little did the Jews realize the terrible responsibility involved
in rejecting Christ.. . . By their rejection of the Saviour, they
were making themselves responsible for the blood of all the
righteous men slain from Abel to Christ. They were about to fill
to overflowing their cup of iniquity. And soon it was to be
poured upon their heads in retributive justice. Of this, Jesus
warned them."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 618, 619.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 410-414.
18 The Messiah Has Come LESSON 2 ❑ Monday July 4
Part 2 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,
JESUS, THE Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the
LAMB OF GOD world" (John 1:29).
The title Lamb of God points back to the sacrifices in the Old
Testament. It was especially appropriate as a title for Jesus
because of His suffering and sacrifice for sin.
What was the purpose of the sacrificial slaying of animals in
the Old Testament? Lev. 1:4; 4:27-29.
After their first sin, Adam and Eve stitched fig leaves together
to cover themselves. Afraid to meet their Maker, they hid them-
selves when they heard His voice. God had to punish them. But
during probation punishment is never the last word. The Bible
says that God Himself made "coats of skins" for Adam and his
wife and clothed them (Gen. 3:21). In the death of the animals to
provide clothing is the foundation of all sacrifices.
What is the purpose of Christ's atoning sacrifice? Eph. 1:7;
2:11-18.
In meditating upon Christ's sacrifice, please think further of
the following message: "All things are of God, who hath recon-
ciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the
ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18).
What is one result of the covenant [testament] Christ has
established through His blood? Matt. 26:27-29. To whom does
God offer this new covenant? John 1:29.
The covenant is offered to all people, in all times. All are
invited; "For the love of Christ leaves us no choice, when once
we have reached the conclusion that one man died for all and
therefore all mankind has died" (2 Cor. 5:14, NEB). "He has
enlisted us in this service of reconciliation" (verse 18, NEB).
THINK IT THROUGH What has been my habitual response toward the sacrifice of Christ for me? What could it be?
"The atoning sacrifice seen through faith brings peace and
comfort and hope to the trembling soul weighed down beneath
the sense of guilt. The law of God is the detector of sin, and as
the sinner is drawn to the dying Christ, he sees the grievous
character of sin, and repents and lays hold on the remedy, the
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."—Ellen G.
White, Review and Herald, Sept. 2, 1890.,(Quoted in Questions
on Doctrine, p. 670.)
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 752, 753.
19
The Messiah Has Come LESSON 2 ❑ Tuesday July 5
Part 3 "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is
JESUS, THE lost" (Luke 19:10).
SON OF MAN "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
Jesus, though verily God, was at the same time truly man. The
Bible testifies that He "made himself of no reputation, and took
upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of
men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death" (Phil. 2:7, 8). This is a great
mystery, but it is the heart of the gospel, the basis of man's
salvation (1 John 4:2, 3).
In which way was the man Jesus different from us? 2 Cor.
5:21; 1 John 3:5.
Jesus was "made like unto his brethren, that he might be a
merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to
make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (Heb. 2:17). But
though He subjected Himself to all the humbling conditions of
man's fallen nature after thousands of years of sin, Jesus was
without sin. It was not because of His divinity that Jesus lived a
sinless life. He used no powers that are not available to any
person who by faith is renewed after the image of God. He has
given us an example. "As Jesus was in human nature, so God
means His followers to be."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 289.
The incarnation is significant for God's election of the new
Israel. In a beautiful passage (Philippians 2:5-11) on the incarna-
tion of Christ Paul says: "Let your bearing towards one another
arise out of your life in Christ Jesus" (NEB). The KJV gives for
"bearing," "mind." The Scriptures urge us to become as Jesus
was in human flesh, always giving glory to God our Father, and
loving our neighbor as ourselves.
THINK IT THROUGH What will be the hallmark of the church whose members are following the pattern of Christ? What is there in my life that hinders me from becoming as He once was in human flesh? (See Eph. 5:1, 2.)
"There is no surer way of weakening spirituality than by
cherishing envy, suspicion, faultfinding, and evil surmising. On
the other hand, the strongest witness that God has sent His Son
into the world is the existence of harmony and union among
men of varied dispositions who form His church. This witness it
is the privilege of the followers of Christ to bear."—The Acts of
the Apostles, p. 549.
FURTHER STUDY • The Desire of Ages, pp. 23, 24.
20 The Messiah Has Come LESSON 2 ❑ Wednesday July 6
Part 4 "To us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all
JESUS things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are
IS LORD all things, and we by him" (1 Cor. 8:6).
The Bible testifies that after Jesus had died for us, and was
buried, God the Father called Him to life again. (See Acts 2:31,
32.) He appeared to His friends and His disciples, whom He
commissioned to continue His work on earth, and then as-
cended into heaven, where He "sat on the right hand of God"
(Mark 16:19). (See also Luke 22 :69.) Stephen, filled with the Holy
Spirit, saw Jesus there (Acts 7:55, 56).
What is the meaning of Christ's being at the right hand of
God? 1 Peter 3:22.
The saying, seated "on the right hand of God," refers to the
full power and glory of Jesus after His resurrection and ascen-
sion. Jesus is Lord. (See Acts 2:36.) His Lordship is first of all
recognized by the members of His church. All authority in
heaven and on earth is given to Him. Therefore-that is, on the
basis of that authority—Jesus bade His disciples to go into all
the world and make disciples out of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20).
All gifts, powers, and the protection of the church are based on
the lordship of Christ. Because Jesus is Lord, life on earth has
meaning. We need not be tossed about by winds of evil and
waves of temptation. Jesus is Lord. Through His power we are
more than conquerors (Rom. 8:31-39). Our times are in His
hands. So is the life of the whole church, of which He is the Head
(Col. 1:18).
All history also is in His hand; all powers and dominions are
under His control. Eph. 1:18-23. He is the King of kings. His
kingship is different from that of the rulers of the earth. Christ
rules through love and persuasion, through grace and giving,
rather than through force. But His lordship is real. It is the
ground of our hope. One day all people, righteous and wicked,
will confess: "Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phil. 2:11).
What is the basis of the lordship of Christ? Phil. 2:5-11.
The word "wherefore" in Philippians 2:9 clearly indicates that
it is because of Christ's incarnation, humiliation, and sacrifice
at the cross that God has exalted Him as Lord of all and has
given Him all power in heaven and on earth. In Acts 2:34-36 we
read that the crucified One was exalted as Lord.
THINK IT THROUGH How can the followers of Christ participate in His lordship? (See John 13:13-17.)
FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 666-671.
21
The Messiah Has Come LESSON 2 ❑ Thursday July 7
Part 5 There is one God, and one mediator between God and men,
JESUS, OUR the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be
MEDIATOR testified in due time" (1 Tim. 2:5, 6).
When Christ entered into heaven to be crowned Lord of lords,
He entered also into the heavenly sanctuary to serve. He is
described as the "great high priest" (Heb. 4:14), appearing
before God for us. (Heb. 9:24). Stephen saw his Lord standing
there as the Son of man (Acts 7:56). Christ is serving in the
presence of His Father as a man, our representative.
Of what is Christ a mediator and with what results? Heb. 8:6,
10-12. See also Gal. 3:19, 20.
A "mediator" is a person whose task it is to reconcile two
parties. He is a peacemaker. In His mediation, Christ is not
influencing the Father to change His mind. The Bible makes it
very clear that it was God Himself who gave this Mediator. The
Father and the Son are one. Christ did not wrest our salvation
and peace from an avenging God, but He fulfilled and realized
God's promise made to Abraham (Heb. 6:13-20). God was in
Christ reconciling the world unto Himself (2 Cor. 5:19). What
Jesus' work as Mediator implies, then, is: (1) He makes His work
of reconciliation, achieved at the cross, become a reality in
people (peace); (2) Christ is making an application of His sac-
rifice for the benefit of all who come to Him (forgiveness of sins);
(3) Christ issanctifying His people. He is working out His perfect
life in us. (See 1 Cor. 15:57; Gal. 2:20.)
What has made Jesus a mediator? Heb. 10:10-12.
By what means is Christ accomplishing His work of recon-
ciliation and peacemaking on earth? John 15:26, 27;17:18, 20.
The texts clearly indicate that Christ has chosen to ac-
complish His work on earth through and in His followers under
the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Christ has sent us out so that
through our words and actions people may be persuaded to
accept Him as their Saviour and Lord.
THINK IT THROUGH In what ways can I become an ambassador of reconciliation?
"Since His ascension Christ has carried forward His work on
earth by chosen ambassadors, through whom He speaks to the
children of men and ministers to their needs. The great Head of
the church superintends His work through the instrumentality
of men ordained by God to act as His representatives." —The
Acts of the Apostles, p. 360..
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 38-40.
22 The Messiah Has Come LESSON 2 ❑ Friday July 8
Part 6 "The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judg-
JESUS, ment unto the Son" (John 5:22).
OUR JUDGE
The judgment has a number of phases, butJesus is always the
Judge. There is the judgment that takes place when people
reject Jesus; then the investigative judgment; next the judg-
ment in the 1000 years; and last, the executive judgment when •
the wicked die for eternity.
What is one way Jesus brought judgment on the world?
John 5:22-24.
In the New Testament the word "judgment" is often a transla-
tion of krisis, which means a process of sifting, of separating the
righteous from the evildoers. The judgment by Christ is a pro-
cess which people bring about themselves. By rejecting the
light, they choose darkness; by not accepting the salvation
offered in Christ's blood, they opt for condemnation, together
with all evil and sin.
Because the rejecters of Jesus are already judged, their
names do not come up in the investigative judgment. It is the
wheat and tares within the church that are separated in the
investigative phase.
When will the final judgment of the world take place? Dan.
7:9, 10; 8:13, 14.
The final judgment began with Jesus' entrance into the Most
Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844. The Bible also
speaks of a certain day in history when Christ's work of judging,
of separating the wheat from the tares, will become a visible
reality, and final. (See Matt. 13:40-43.) History will reach its final
climax when our Lord ceases His mediatorial work in heaven
and returns to this earth to pronounce the last judgment. Some
will enter into the kingdom of God, there to live forever. During
the 1,000 years a review will be made of all the cases of the lost.
At the close of the 1,000 years all of the lost will stand in judg-
ment before Christ and when sentenced will admit to the justice
of their sentence. Then the name of God will be vindicated and
the wicked destroyed. The kingdom of God will be restored.
Death and devil will be no more.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the role of the church in Christ’s present work of judgment? Could it, by its life and work, hasten the day of restoration?
FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 479, 480, 490, 491.
23
LESSON 3 July 10-16
“Neither, because they are the seed new era began. And yet the New of Abraham, are they all children:. Testament church is a continuation of p but the children of ther are God’s Old Testament people. “That
world through Israel, the chosen With the coming of the Messiah a nation, He will finally accomplish
A
•
God's true people care, and that caring manifests itself in loving
action through a worldwide ministry.
through His church on earth today.”— for the nature of the church and its Prophets and Kings, p. 713. The one mission in the New Testament. Israel cannot be understood without the expected thatthe nations would come other. In fact, the two need each to them for a knowledge of salvation.
to Israel; and Israel, in turn, will find into the whole world and proclaim this salvation through the church (Rom. good news. This is the very reason for 11:11-26). The two are not identical, the existence of the church. even though they are based on the same promises, the same covenant, DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
the same, but the two form one unit. (John 1:11) The name Israel is applied also to the 2. The Church and Israel Christian church in the New (Gal. 3:29) Testament. Israel is the name for 3. Jesus and the Gentiles al • 15 (John 3:16) 16). e urc an There are some basic differences (Matt. 28:19) between Israel of the Old Testament 5. Jesus and His Apostles and Israel of the New. Something new (Mark 3:14) has come, and the new replaces much 6. The Church Apostolic
of a more superior ministry, of better promises, a better covenant (Heb. 8:6). In light of the new ministry and the new covenant, the old ones do not continue• the disa. s ear Heb. 8:13). n e estamen perm redemption is foretold; the re-creation of man in the image of God is promised. The restoration of the kingdom of God was an event of the
Jesus Christ, t ese prophecies have been fulfilled; the promises have been realized. “The kingdom has come,” is the message of the New Testament. In the Old Testament “salvation was the theintrViltintrerimpitetgroittftiretf and explored. . . They tried to find out what was the time, and what the circumstances, to which the Spirit of Christ in them pointed, foretelling the ctiffprirvi% in,onre. fru- Chrtit,190- tbe splendours to follow; and it was disclosed to them that the matter they treated of was not for their time but for yours” (1 Peter 1:10-12, NEB). In Christ we can sa “Now is come salvation,
God” (Rev. 12:10). Our sins have been forgiven; the atonement was completed at the cross. God’s kingdom has begun. This h4si4r-feaciliDg The True Israel LESSON 3 ❑ Sunday July 10
Part 1 "He came to his own home, and his own people received
JESUS AND him not" (John 1:11, RSV).
THE JEWS
Jesus stated that He had come only for the lost sheep of the
house of Israel (Matt. 15:24). When Jesus commissioned His
disciples, He instructed them: "Go not into the way of the
Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go
rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 10:5, 6).
Jesus came to His own people, the ones who had received the
promise of His coming. It was in fulfillment of God's promise
made to Abraham that Christ came to bring salvation and the
restoration of Israel. They were the people with whom God had
made His covenant. Other persons were not excluded from the
benefits of Christ's work, but their needs could be met only
when His mission to Israel had been completed.
What was the nature of the Messiah's mission to Israel?
Dan. 9:24. (See also Matt. 1:21; John 17:4, 5.)
In a word: to reveal the Father, to offer salvation to Israel, and
to establish the kingdom of God.
How did the Jews react to God's compassionate love in the
person of Jesus Christ? Acts 3:13-15.
The Jews' rejection of Christ is in line with Israel's attitude
toward the covenant of God throughout Old Testament times.
(See 2 Chron. 36:15,16; Hosea 6:4-7.) The cross, the demonstra-
tion of God's love, is at the same time a demonstration of man's
hostile reaction toward God's love and grace. The cross that
could have brought Israel peace, restoration and happiness
forever now became their downfall and their ruin.
THINK IT THROUGH What does the cross of Jesus Christ mean to me?
"To Paul the cross was the one object of supreme interest.
Ever since he had been arrested in his career of persecution
against the followers of the crucified Nazarene he had never
ceased to glory in the cross. At that time there had been given
him a revelation of the infinite love of God, as revealed in the
death of Christ; and a marvelous transformation had been
wrought in his life, bringing all his plans and purposes into
harmony with heaven. From that hour he had been a new man in
Christ. He knew by personal experience that when a sinner once
beholds the love of the Father, as seen in the sacrifice of His
Son, and yields to the divine influence, a change of heart takes
place, and henceforth Christ is all and in all."—The Acts of the
Apostles, p. 245.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 745-749.
26 The True Israel LESSON 3 ❑ Monday July 11
Part 2 "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs
THE CHURCH according to the promise" (Gal. 3:29).
AND ISRAEL
What is the meaning of the expression "Abraham's seed" in
this text and in others such as Isaiah 41:8 and John 8:33?
The expression "seed of Abraham" has clearly three distinct
meanings. First, is used for the natural descendants of Abraham
through the line of Isaac and Jacob (Rom. 9:7-9). ltssecond use
is for Jesus Christ Himself (Gal. 3:16). The true posterity of
Abraham is ultimately embodied in Jesus Christ. He is its sum-
mation and Head, for the promise was received through Him.
The third meaning is all who are in Christ, who keep the faith
and obey His commandments. This includes Jew and Gentile,
Greek and barbarian, African and American, Asian and Euro-
pean. All who are united to Christ, baptized in union with Him,
are Abraham's seed and so heirs by promise.
To belong to Abraham's seed, then, really means to be united
with Jesus Christ. Whoever believes in Him is thereby heir to the
promises given to Abraham. The church, whose head is Jesus
Christ, is thus the true Israel.
What is the relationship between the church and Israel?
Rom. 11:14-18.
In Christ the Gentiles have been made partakers of God's
promises to Israel (Eph. 3:6). We have become "fellow-heirs."
The church is not the only heir. God is still longing for the
esteem of Israel. It is through the church that God is fulfilling His
promise of salvation to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and
people. It is through the church, also, that God purposes to call
Israel to repentance and salvation (Rom. 11:11, 12, 25-31).
Though the church has indeed gone out to the Gentiles and won
many of them to Christ, it has, through the ages, neglected the
Jews. The purpose of God was that the church, through humility
and obedience, should make Israel envious of its salvation. The
church should never forget that it is but a wild branch "grafted
in among them." We share the same root, but we should not
make ourselves "superior to the branches. If you do so, re-
member that it is not you who sustain the root: the root sustains
you" (Rom. 11:17, 18, NEB).
THINK IT THROUGH What is the church’s message to Israel? How could Seventh-day Adventist mission to the Jews best be ac- complished?
FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 709-715.
27
3-ASSL 3-77 The True Israel LESSON 3 ❑ Tuesday July 12
Part 3 "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
JESUS AND that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
THE GENTILES everlasting life" (John 3:16).
In accordance with the Old Testament, Jesus clearly asserted
the fundamental distinction between Israel and the nations of
the world in regard to God's redemptive purpose. It was Israel's
privilege as the vessel of the promises to receive the first offer of
salvation (Matt. 22:3). Yet, from the very beginning of His minis-
try, Jesus purposed to bring salvation to all nations.
What biblical evidence is there that Jesus ministered not
only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but to the Gentiles
as well? Matt. 8:5-13; Mark 7:24-30; John 4:5-7.
Matthew described the beginning of Jesus' ministry to the
Gentiles, which he saw as a fulfillment of prophecy (Matt. 4:12-
17). He mentions "the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the
people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for
those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has
dawned" (RSV). (See also Isa. 9:1, 2.) And the report says, "His
fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all
sick people . . . ; and he healed them. And there followed him
great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis,
and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jor-
dan" (Matt. 4:24, 25). Christ ministered to both Jew and Gentile.
In what way did Jesus confirm that His ministry was for the
Gentiles as well as for the Jews even before the Jews rejected
Him? Mark 11:15-19.
The court which Jesus cleansed was "the court of the Gen-
tiles." It was the only part of the sanctuary to which non-Jews
had access. It was separated from the inner courts by the "mid-
dle wall of partition" (Eph. 2:14). The only part of the house of
God which Gentiles were legally permitted to use to worship
God was closed to them by the trade and commerce of the Jews.
Quoting Isaiah 56:7, Jesus asserted: "Mine house shall be
called an house of prayer for all people." Though Jesus rebuked
the materialism and secularism of God's people when He
cleansed the outer court, He also made room in God's house for
the Gentiles to come and worship Him in peace and quietness.
THINK IT THROUGH In which ways is the spirit which built up the partition wall between Jew and Gentile still active?
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 402, 403.
28 The True Israel LESSON 3 ❑ Wednesday July 13
Part 4 "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
THE CHURCH name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
AND THE teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com-
WORLD manded you: and,10,1 am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world" (Matt. 28:19, 20).
The church exists by mission as fire exists by burning. Mis-
sion is the life of the church, the very reason for its existence.
When did Jesus send His disciples into all the world? Mark
16:9, 14-20.
The story of Jesus' ministry does not end with His resurrec-
tion, but with His commission to go to all the world. These two
events are intimately related. By Christ's resurrection the name
of God was vindicated, and the "accuser of the brethren"
forever cast out of heaven. The time of salvation had come. This
had to be proclaimed. It could not have been told in the same
way before Christ's death and resurrection.
What is the content of the great commission Christ gave to
His church? Matt. 28:18-20.
1 .All power, all authority (RSV), has been given to Christ. He is
Lord of lords and King of kings. The whole world has therefore
been wrested from the grip of other powers, whatever their
nature, form or strength. (See Eph. 1:20-23.)
2. All nations are to be the recipients of the good news that
Christ is Lord. This can be achieved only when the followers of
Christ do not isolate themselves from the world or cluster to-
gether in colonies, but when they go, spread, travel, visit. The
making of disciples of all nations can happen only when the
church remains a movement.
3.1am with you always. After the proclamation of the author-
ity of Christ and the commandment, the promise follows of
Christ's eternal presence everywhere, in all things and all ways,
until the end of time.
THINK IT THROUGH Given the power of Christ and the promise of His presence, why has His commission not yet been fulfilled?
"The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of
men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the
gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan
that through His church shall be reflected to the world His
fullness and His sufficiency."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 9.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 822-828.
29
The True Israel LESSON 3 ❑ Thursday July 14
Part 5 "He ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that
JESUS AND he might send them forth to preach" (Mark 3:14).
HIS APOSTLES
The origin of the people of God in the New Testament, as in
Israel, lies with God's calling. He took the initiative. The forma-
tion of the church was not an idea that occurred to the disciples
only after the resurrection. It was Jesus' intention from the very
first days of His ministry.
What was the nature of the call the disciples received? Matt.
9:9; Luke 5:11; 9:23; John 1:43.
The group that Jesus gathered round Himself was meant to
have a decisive influence on the life of the society around it. The
Twelve were called to follow Jesus. That has remained the
hallmark of all the members of His church: They are called to be
Christians, followers of Jesus Christ. There is no greater call, no
higher status.
What was the basis of the twelve men's apostleship? Matt.
10:1, 2.
At least two basic requirements for apostleship can be distin-
guished. The first is discipleship. The text says that Jesus called
His disciples and then refers to them as apostles. Apostleship
must always be preceded by discipleship. The second is au-
thorization by Christ. "And he . . . gave them authority (RSV).
Jesus would say of them later, "They have kept thy word. . . . I
have given unto them the words which thou gayest me; ... they
have believed that thou didst send me" (John 17:6-8).
For what purpose did Jesus appoint His twelve apostles?
Mark 3:14.
"These men He purposed to train and educate as the leaders
of His church. They in turn were to educate others and send
them out with the gospel message. . . .
"It was at the ordination of the Twelve that the first step was
taken in the organization of the church that after Christ's depar-
ture was to carry on His work on the earth. . . .
.. By these feeble agencies, through His word and Spirit, He
designs to place salvation within the reach of all."—The Acts of
the Apostles, pp. 17, 18.
THINK IT THROUGH Am I ready to become an apostle of Jesus Christ? If not, what qualification is lacking?
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 17-20.
30 The True Israel LESSON 3 ❑ Friday July 15 ‘
Part 6 "[Ye] are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
THE CHURCH prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone"
APOSTOLIC (Eph. 2:20).
After the death of the twelve apostles, the early church soon
became divided over the question of the "apostolic succes-
sion." The issue is still debated today.
In light of the apostles' ordination and commission, what
really makes the church apostolic?
There are at least five essential elements to consider: (1) Does
it have the faith of Jesus? (2) Does it obey all that Christ has
commanded? (3) Is it following Jesus Christ in discipleship? (4)
Is it authorized by Christ? (5) Is it carrying out the great apos-
tolic commission? The church that bears these distinctive
marks of the apostles can rightly claim to be apostolic. The most
decisive factor is not the external or direct historical line, but the
spiritual. The thought is clarified by a paraphrase of Jesus'
words in John 8:39 concerning Abraham's children: "If ye were
the successors of the apostles, ye would do the works of the
apostles."
What is, in this light, the meaning of Matthew 16:18?
Throughout the history of the church the "rock" has been
variously interpreted as Peter, the confession of Peter, Jesus
Christ Himself, or all of the twelve apostles together. Jesus
called His disciple Peter (Greek: Petros), which means "a
stone." He then added, "Upon this rock [Greek: petra] I will
build my church." Notice the change: from Petros to petra, a
play on words that can best be explained by noting their mean-
ing. Petra means a massive rock, suitable for the foundation of a
large building. Petros, however, generally means a small stone,
such as might be used in a rock wall. Peter himself speaks of
Christ as the Rock. (See Acts 4:11, 12; 1 Peter 2:4-8.) Paul
likewise tells us that the Rock is Christ (1 Cor. 10:4). Finally, the
Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is the foundation of the
church. (See 1 Cor. 3:11.) The entire structure rests on Him.
THINK IT THROUGH Why is each believer called a living stone of the church?
"The Christian who faithfully presents the word of life, lead-
ing men and women into the way of holiness and peace, is
bringing to the foundation material that will endure, and in the
kingdom of God he will be honored as a wise builder."— The
Acts of the Apostles, p. 599.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 595-598.
31
LESSON 4 July 17-23
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and concept that the church was the members in particular' (1 Cor. 12:27). imitation and reflection of the physical
• resence of Jesus Christ in the world.
body of Christ is found only in the New into this truth, since they could Testament and especially in the understand this only after their Master writings of the apostle Paul, in his had ascended into heaven. (See also epistles to the Romans, the John 12:16; 20:9.) But, although the Corinthians, the Ephesians, and the term “body of Christ” for the church is Colossians. some have conctucledthat not original with Paul, he certainty ‘a— Paul introduced a new term into the gave the words a series of meanings, language of Christianity, if not a many-sided, deep and complex, each distinctly new concept, into the of which describes a particular aspect theology of the early church. But that of the church. mis.aotquite.true.lesus.kiimself airody had likened His body to the temple of church heated heated discussions have raged God (John 2:18-20). But, as the next over the correct interpretation of the two verses indicate, it was not until term “body of Christ’ in reference to after the resurrection that the disciples the church. And the debate has not understood what Jesus had meant ended rat yet. Some erlmt444ggr. Christian Werge5”21722/7”Mtrre I s Christ was with His disciples, a They see in it a close association with concept of the church as His body authoritarianism, ecclesiastical power could not develop. Not until Jesus had structures, institutionalized religion, been glorified could there develop a and religious totalitarianism. Others, becayse pf its misuse jn the past, even refuse to give it careful study. But the image of the church as the body of Christ is so powerfully presented in the writings of the apostle Paul that no Christian can afford not to steep
though misunderstandings may arise,
and arise again. One of such
misunderstandings today is the notion
that the church is literally the body of
Christ d
is p ysica presence, an extension o
the incarnation. This concept is found
especially—but not exclusively—in
Roman Catholic thought. The "body
of Christ" is not Christ Himself!
Christ did not come to incorporate us
into His body according to the flesh
but according to the Spirit. The church
is indeed characterized by the
jresence of Christ through the.,Spirit,_
but it may not be identified with Him. DAILY HIGHLIGHTS Though divine in origin and 1. The Head of the Body orientation, the church bears also the (Eph. 1:22, 23) marks of sin. It is a holy institution, yet 2. By His Spirit (1 Cor. fallihfp anti wp?k,ttc rxwohPrc ,are, 19:13)_ called saints, but they are yet sinners. 3. United With Christ (Rom. This is a mystery which finds its 12:5) solution only in the grace of our Lord. 4. Members of One Another Only in God’s grace will we be able to (Rom. 12:4, 5) understand how a body which, b sin, 5. Unity in Diversity (1 Cor.
accepted by God and used as a 6. Growing Together in Christ channel of His grace. (Eph. 4:10
God's children are a maturing fellowship, individuals whose
uniqueness brings a rich tapestry of shared experience.
The Body of Christ LESSON 4 ❑ Sunday July 17
Part 1 "[He] hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be
THE HEAD the head over all things to the church, which Is his body" (Eph.
OF THE BODY 1:22, 23).
What does it mean to say that Christ is Head of the church?
Col. 1:16-18; 2:6-10.
To say "head," according to these texts, is to say: He is the
source of the church, its very origin. He is the One in whom and
through whom and for whom the church is created—God who
in Christ took the initiative. He has called us and redeemed us;
He has bought us and brought us together in Him and with one
another. He also cares for His body, and feeds it and makes it
grow. Christ is the source of its existence.
From comparisons with other scriptures, two more meanings
of the headship of Christ emerge. One is that Christ is the
supreme Leader of the church. To belong to the body of Jesus
Christ really means to follow Him, to obey His commandments,
and to keep His faith. All other powers in our lives have ceased
to exist. If the church is the body of Christ, then it cannot be
captive to any other force or seek support from any other power.
Another meaning is that the members of the body are His
people. (See 1 Peter 2:9; Titus 2:14.) Christ, the Head, means:
The church is His very own.
What are the consequences of recognizing Christ as the
Head of the church? Col. 1:18-22.
Do we dare to say: As the Head is, so is His body? The
consequence of having Christ as the Head means that the whole
life of the church must be consistent with, and a reflection of,
the life of Jesus Christ. By bearing the name of its Head and
Founder the church must, indeed, reflect the mind, love, and
will of Him who has chosen us.
THINK IT THROUGH What does the name “Christian” mean to me?
"'To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my
throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my
Father in his throne.'
"These are the words of our Substitute and Surety. He who is
the divine Head of the church, the mightiest of conquerors,
would point His followers to His life, His toils, His self-denials,
His struggles and sufferings ... that they might be encouraged
to press on toward the mark for the prize and reward of the
overcomer. Victory is assured through faith and obedi-
ence."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 7, p. 966.
FURTHER STUDY Gospel Workers, pp. 13-17.
34 The Body of Christ LESSON 4 ❑ Monday July 18
Parl 2 "By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body . ; and
BY HIS have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:13).
SPIRIT
From the Gospels we know that Christ, the Head of the body,
came in the power of the Spirit, that He witnessed to the pres-
ence of the Spirit, and was sustained in temptation and agony
by the Spirit. His body, the church, likewise could not exist
without the Spirit. In fact, it was not until the Spirit was poured
out that the church could begin to function. (See Acts 2.) It is
through the Spirit that Christ reigns supreme in His church and
makes the church His instrument to finish the work that He
Himself began. Without the Spirit, the body is a corpse. "If any
man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Rom. 8:9).
Without the Spirit, there is no church!
What is the role of the Spirit in the church? John 16:7-15;
Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 12:1-13.
The church exists by the Holy Spirit. He guides the church
into all truth and welds the individual believers into a genuine
fellowship. (See 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:3-6.) The Spirit energizes
and vitalizes the church (Rom. 8:9-11) and seals our salvation
(Eph. 1:13, 14). The ministry in the church is performed through
the gifts of the Spirit. (See 1 Corinthians 12.) All witnessing and
proclamation are done in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8;
1 Cor. 2:4). He also sends out missionaries and directs them
(Acts 13:2, 4).
Are there ways in which the church may actually encourage
the infilling of the Spirit? Acts 5:32. (See also Acts 2:1.)
The Holy Spirit cannot be manipulated or in any way con-
trolled; but His people can certainly prepare the way for His
power to be manifest through them.
THINK IT THROUGH Is my church ready for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
"The lapse of time has wrought no change in Christ's parting
promise to send the Holy Spirit as His representative. It is not
because of any restriction on the part of God that the riches of
His grace do not flow earthward to men. If the fulfillment of the
promise is not seen as it might be, it is because the promise is
not appreciated as it should be. If all were willing, all would be
filled with the Spirit"— The Acts of the Apostles, p. 50.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 47-51.
35
The Body of Christ LESSON 4 ❑ Tuesday July 19
Part 3 "So all of us, united with Christ, form one body, serving
UNITED individually as limbs and organs to one another" (Rom. 12:5,
WITH CHRIST NEB).
Most communities we know are based on ties of blood rela-
tionship, residence, common ideals, interests, or goals. The
body of Christ is a group of people that find their unity in the
members' communion with the living Person, Jesus Christ. The
church is the body of this Person, consisting of all those who
through the baptism of the Spirit are united with Christ.
How are believers united with Christ? 1 Cor. 12:12, 13.
What is the nature of the relationship between Christ and
each of His followers? John 15:4-7, 10, 16.
"A union with Christ by living faith is enduring; every other
union must perish. Christ first chose us, paying an infinite price
for our redemption; and the true believer chooses Christ as first
and last and best in everything. But this union costs us some-
thing. It is a union of utter dependence, to be entered into by a
proud being. All who form this union must feel their need of the
atoning blood of Christ. They must have a change of heart. They
must submit their own will to the will of God... .
"Believers become one in Christ, but one branch cannot be
sustained by another. The nourishment must be obtained
through the vital connection with the vine. We must feel our
utter dependence on Christ. We must live by faith on the Son of
God. That is the meaning of the injunction: 'Abide in Me.' The
life we live in the flesh is not to the will of men, not to please our
Lord's enemies, but to serve and honor Him who loved us and
gave Himself for us. A mere assent to this union, while the
affections are not detached from the world, its pleasures and its
dissipations, only emboldens the heart in disobedience."—
Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 231, 232.
THINK IT THROUGH How does a union with Christ manifest itself?
"The life of the vine will be manifest in fragrant fruit on the
branches. 'He that abideth in Me,' said Jesus, 'and I in him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do noth-
ing.' When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the
Spirit will be seen in our life; not one will be missing."—The
Desire of Ages, p. 676.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 674-678.
36 The Body of Christ LESSON 4 . ❑ Wednesday July 20
Part 4 "Just as in a single human body there are many limbs and
MEMBERS OF organs, all with different functions, so all of us, united with
ONE ANOTHER Christ, form one body, serving individually as limbs and or-
gans to one another" (Rom. 12:4, 5, NEB).
Called into a fellowship with Jesus Christ, we are at the same
time called to become members of one another.
What does the apostle Paul say about the relationship of the
members of the body of Christ to each other? 1 Cor. 12:24-27;
Eph. 4:25.
The church is the body of Christ. As the operation of the
human body demands the cooperation and interdependence of
all its limbs and organs, so the body of Christ demands mutual-
ity. The church is not just a number of individual believers, each
of whom in his own way is relafed to Christ. No! By using the
image of the body, the Scripture emphasizes that the church is a
corporate personality, one unit, one indivisible whole, in which
each member participates in the life of the other. If one member
suffers, all suffer. If one member has reasons for rejoicing, the
others share in his joy. There are no separated individuals in the
church which is the body of Christ. Individualism is the very
opposite of the biblical concept of the church as one body.
In what ways does the unity of the church become man-
ifest? 1 Cor. 10:16, 17; Heb. 10:24, 25; 1 John 4:10, 11; John
17:20-23.
In meeting together for worshiping the one Lord, the Head of
the body; in breaking bread together, thereby sharing in the one
body of Christ; in reciprocal love and respect for one another,
the unity of the one body becomes manifest, to the believers and
the unbelievers alike. There is no room for inequality in the
church, or discrimination of any kind. "Baptized into union with
him, you have all put on Christ as a garment. There is no such
thing as Jew and Greek, slave and freeman, male and female; for
you are all one person in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:27, 28, NEB).
THINK IT THROUGH How can I contribute to the unity of my church?
"As a people, we lose much by lack of sympathy and sociabil-
ity with one another. He who talks of independence and shuts
himself up to himself is not filling the position that God de-
signed he should. We are children of God, mutually dependent
upon one another for happiness."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 71.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 317-319.
37
The Body of Christ LESSON 4 ❑ Thursday July 21
Pail 5 "The body is not one member, but many" (1 Cor. 12:14).
UNITY IN
DIVERSITY Equally significant with the teaching that all members of the
body are a unity is the fact that the body is composed of diverse
members. As the physical body is not composed of one single
organ only, but of many, and all of these members are different,
in function, in strength, in honor (1 Cor. 12:17-24), so we should
accept and encourage a similar rich variation among the mem-
bers of the body of Christ, recognizing that all of these are
necessary to the one body.
At the present day the church is established in a large variety
of cultures and in many different economic, social, and political
conditions. Thus church uniformity is impossible. We must
promote unity, not uniformity. This unity manifests itself in the
internal unity of one faith and one.hope. It is not manifested in
the same ways of doing things, but in having the same goals for
which the'church has been called into existence. (See 1 Cor.
12:5, 6.)
At what point does diversity become disruptive to the unity
of the one body?
The body of Christ is one. (See 1 Cor. 12:12.) As soon as a
member or a group of members—from local church to groups
of local churches—makes claims over and against the whole
body, the diversity clearly disrupts the unity of the body. At that
point the diversity changes its quality: It becomes a sinful divi-
sion. In the same way as unity should not cancel out diversity, so
diversity should not overrule the unity of the church. The variety
of forms and thought, of service and work, does not exist for its
own good, but for the upbuilding of the one body. (See Eph.
4:12.) Through this one goal, individuals are related to the local
community, and local communities to the one church, the body
of Christ.
THINK IT THROUGH How can the diversity in my church best relate to the unity of the whole body of Christ?
"If God's professed people would receive the light as it shines
upon them from His word, they would reach that unity for which
Christ prayed, that which the apostle describes, 'the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace.' "—The Great Controversy, p. 379.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 296, 297; Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 518-520.
38 The Body of Christ LESSON 4 ❑ Friday July 22
Part 6 "Bonded and knit together by every constituent joint, the
GROWING whole frame grows through the due activity of each part, and
TOGETHER builds itself up in love" (Eph. 4:16, NEB).
IN CHRIST
The illustration of the body suggests a living organism, puls-
ing with life, vitality, creativity, and warmth. It is always growing.
If it does not, it is dead.
What makes the body of Christ grow? Acts 2:47; Col. 2:19.
The church grows in two ways: The first is by increasing the
number of members in the church, an increased influence of the
church on its environment, and a building up of its structures,
departments, and organizations. The second is spiritual
growth: an increase in Christian stature and maturity, in holi-
ness and perfection, in knowledge and understanding of truth.
It means growing up in Christ, in the faith, and in missionary
spirit and involvement. This growth comes from Christ, the
Head of the church, who uses each member as a channel to
nourish and feed the whole body.
What responsibility rests on the church, the body of Christ?
2 Cor. 5:14 through 6:2.
Evangelism in the New Testament church was the natural
function of a living organism, the body as a whole. It was the
outcome of a new life. Evangelism was the purpose for which
the church existed. Mission is not a specialized or part-time
activity of a few. It includes all the members in the church and
everything the church does. Mission and evangelism, given by
the Head of the church, nourish the fellowship of the believers.
All too little attention has been given to this nourishing which
results in the spiritual growth of the whole fellowship.
THINK IT THROUGH How can I contribute to the growth of the body as a whole?
"When Jesus ascended to heaven, He committed His work on
earth to those who had received the light of the gospel. They
were to carry the work forward to completion. He has provided
no other agency for the promulgation of His truth. 'Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."And, lo, I
am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' This solemn
commission reaches us in this age. God leaves with His church
the responsibility of receiving or rejecting it."—Christian Ser-
vice, p. 23.
FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, “The Work and the Life,” pp. 79-81.
39
LESSON 5 July 24-30
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized church were some kind of religious into one body” (1 Cor. 12:13). club. Not so, even though at times it may appear that way. Becoming a 411- bqr iS first bernming united with member of the body of Christ? To Jesus Christ. It is through Him that a some this question sounds as if the person then becomes added to the
Uniting with God's family through baptism begins a whole new life,
filled with opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities.
church. (See Acts 2:47.) This fact cannot be emphasized enough! The The New Testament clearly.teaches us that nobody will be drawn into that - church and Jesus Christ are united but relationship with God against his will. are not identical: It is through the It is possible for man to reject God’s
and become acquainted with Him and t e answer to the question : How does
His word. Through the church a a person become united with Christ?
person becomes aware of the great act We must respond positively to God's
of salvation wrought in Jesus Christ, race and accept in faith what Christ
and of the peace, freedom, joy, and as done for us. The rite of baptism,
Testarrterrt-tlYnermarks-ma
is united with Christ. But joining the the believer's entrance into the
church means nothing unless a person communion with the people of God,
has first been united with Him who is symbolizes the faith and experience of
the Head of the church. It is by putting the believer. It is byy faith that we
a .1 esu ate, .bgc2Te sons and au hters
person •ecomes a mem•er or is (John 1: '2 . a ail orn y the
body. The act by which that happens is Spirit of God, brings us into union
baptism. (See Gal. 3:27.) with Christ, through baptism (Gal.
The question: How does a person 3;26-28).
become a member of the church? then
become united with Jesus Christ? The 1. Faith (Mark 16:16)
answer has two parts. The first is that 2. Repentance (Acts 2:38)
God has in Christ reconciled us to 3. Confession (Rom. 10:9, 10)
Himself (2 Cor. 5:19). Union with 4. Baptism (Acts 22:16)
Christ has its foundation in an act of 5. Burial and Resurrection
6ocl'Himselt. He roves us. (tial. 3:27)
therefore gave us a covenant whereby 6. Rebirth (Titus 3:5)
we became united with Him as His
own people. And "this shall be the
covenant that I will make with the hatico nficaapl after Ovagoolzys,.aaitb
the Lord, I will put my law in their
inward parts, and write it in their
hearts; and will be their God, and they
shall be my people. And they shall
teach no more every man his *k"-n-eiptrour,eVe-qttialltrIrtrrOthtir "'""*""'"."."'""
saying, Know the Lord: for they shall
all know me, .. . saith the Lord: for I
will forgive their iniquity, and I will
remember their sin no more" (Jer.
31'3,3, • taYegant,Cal di
promised through the prophet
Jeremiah has been established by the
blood of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 11:25).
We become united with Him because
He has for 'yen our sins and carried
Old estament, the church, really, is a
covenant people. And we become
members of that body because God in
His love has drawn us into that
a - p
Becoming A Member LESSON 5 ❑ Sunday July 24
Part 1 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he
FAITH that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16).
What is the relationship described in the book of Acts be-
tween baptism and believing (faith)? Acts 16:30-33.
Faith and baptism are inseparably joined in the New Testa-
ment. Faith is a prerequisite of baptism. All people have been
called into the covenant relationship with God. Only those who
acknowledge for themselves the work that Christ has done for
them, and in them, accept it and permit the Spirit to permeate
their whole life and thought, are to enter the church through
baptism. The effectiveness of baptism does not depend on the
ritual itself, but on the faith of the one who is baptized. Faith is
the means of receiving the salvation offered in the gospel. And
this not as a work of man, but is the free gift of God. Faith itself is
created in the heart by the Holy Spirit. It is this faith that also
creates in human beings the desire to be baptized.
What is the nature of faith that leads to salvation? Luke 8:47,
48; Matt. 8:5-10.
Saving faith means much more than the acceptance of be-
liefs, although it includes belief of biblical teachings. It is a
relationship of trust in which the person gives his whole self to
Jesus Christ. That relationship expresses itself in many ways. In
words and acts we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God and the Lord of our life. We praise Him and worship Him,
and we express our gratitude for His continuing ministry in
heaven in our behalf. It is the basis also of our joyful expectation
of His soon return. The closer that relationship, the greater also
our love and our obedience, our total surrender and our humil-
ity. It is that faith that leads a person to say, "I am dead, yet I live.
But it is not I; Christ lives in me." (See Gal. 2:20.)
Since faith is so important in God's salvation, how does a
person come to faith? Rom. 10:11-17.
God has called the church into existence as an instrument by
which people may come to faith, and increase and express it.
The church affects the faith of people in three main ways: (1) the
proclamation and the teaching of the word of God; (2) service
and charity; and (3) fellowship. None of these, however, can
work independently of the others.
THINK IT THROUGH How are the beliefs of the church related to faith in Jesus Christ?
FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, “Faith and Acceptance,” pp. 50-53.
42 Becoming A Member LESSON 5 ❑ Monday July 25
Part 2 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every
REPENTANCE one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts
2:38).
The person who is confronted with Jesus Christ and enters
into a relationship with Him will see himself as he really is—a
sinner. By faith he sees the love of God and experiences His
goodness. He becomes aware of God's holiness and longsuffer-
ing. A genuine sorrow is aroused in him, and he longs for
forgiveness and a new beginning. This is what the Bible calls
repentance.
What is the relationship between repentance and baptism?
Mark 1:4, 5; Acts 2:38.
It is by faith and repentance that the washing away of our sins
is effected. This is symbolized by baptism.
What leads a person to repentance? Rom. 2:4.
It is the law of God that convinces us of sin. But it is the
goodness of the Lord, the experience of His rich mercy, that
leads the sinner to repentance.
"There are many who fail to understand the true nature of
repentance. Multitudes sorrow that they have sinned and even
make an outward reformation because they fear that their
wrongdoing will bring suffering upon themselves. But this is not
repentance in the Bible sense. They lament the suffering rather
than the sin."—Steps to Christ, p. 23.
Ho4 is repentance related to the forgiveness of sins? Acts
5:31.
"It is true that repentance does precede the forgiveness of
sins; for it is only the broken and contrite heart that will feel the
need of a Saviour. But must the sinner wait till he has repented
before he can come to Jesus? Is repentance to be made an
obstacle between the sinner and the Saviour?
"The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before
he can heed the invitation of Christ, 'Come unto Me, all ye that
labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.' Matthew
11:28. It is the virtue that goes forth from Christ, that leads to
genuine repentance."—Steps to Christ, p. 26.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the meaning of repentance to a child born and raised in a Christian home?
FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, “Repentance,” pp. 23-29.
43
4-ASSL 3-77 Becoming A Member LESSON 5 ❑ Tuesday July 26
Part 3 "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and
CONFESSION shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth
unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9, 10).
Faith and repentance result in confession of Jesus by words
and actions. Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me
before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in
heaven" (Matt. 10:32).
There is evidence that baptism in the New Testament church
was preceded by confession. This took two forms. People were
asked to tell what they believed. Such a profession of faith was
at the same time considered an evidence that the candidate for
baptism was indeed led by the Spirit of God. At the same time
candidates for baptism confessed their sins before God. If they
had wronged any person, they confessed to him also.
What is the source of a person's confession? 1 Cor. 12:3;
Matt. 16:17.
Nobody can truly say, "Jesus is Lord," except he is prompted
by the Holy Spirit. Similarly, nobody has the humility to say to his
neighbor, "I am sorry," unless the Spirit of Christ moves him.
How important is confession of sin in a Christian's life?
Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:9.
"Those who have not humbled their souls before God in
acknowledging their guilt, have not yet fulfilled the first condi-
tion of acceptance. If we have not experienced that repentance
which is not to be repented of, and have not with true humilia-
tion of soul and brokenness of spirit confessed our sins, abhor-
ring our iniquity, we have never truly sought for the forgiveness
of sin."—Steps to Christ, pp. 37, 38.
In what way does the church today continue the New Tes-
tament practice of confession before baptism?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual states: "The
church has a right to know concerning the faith and attitude of
every individual applying for church membership. It is proper
for a public examination of all candidates to be held prior to
their baptism, preferably in the presence of the church."—Pages
52 (1971 edition), 53, 54 (1976 edition).
THINK IT THROUGH How important is the confession of faith and of repentance in my life today?
FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, “Confession,” pp. 37-41. 44 Becoming A Member LESSON 5 ❑ Wednesday July 27
Part 4 "Why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized, and wash away
BAPTISM thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
Faith in Jesus as Lord and Redeemer, repentance, and con-
fession find their visible expression in baptism. Through this
rite a person testifies to his union with Christ and is united with
His church.
What were the characteristics of the baptism administered
by John the Baptist? Mark 1:4-8.
Three aspects stand out clearly: It was a baptism in token of
repentance, the remission of sins, and in preparation for the
coming of the Lord. Since Christian baptism is rooted in the
baptism of John, these three aspects remain important also for
baptism today, although other significant characteristics have
been added.
Little is known with certainty about the origin of the baptism
of John. The Jews knew of ritual washings, but these were of a
different nature. The same is also true of the ritual washings of
the sect at Qumran. Baptism was practiced as a means of receiv-
ing proselytes to Judaism. But in that rite the proselytes washed
themselves, whereas in the baptism of the New Testament
people are being washed, a significant difference indeed!
Through baptism John was gathering a community that was
waiting for the coming of the Messiah. Baptism of water would
then be given an additional meaning through the baptism by fire
and the Spirit. (See Luke 3:16.)
Why did Jesus desire to be baptized? Matt. 3:13-17.
At first John refused to baptize Jesus. After all, Jesus was the
"mightier one" who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John
saw in Him the coming Messiah, and he could not reconcile with
his own conception of the Messiah the idea that the Messiah
should be baptized with a "baptism of repentance for the remis-
sion of sins." Jesus knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21). John must have
understood, however, when a voice from heaven said: "Thou art
my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22). These
words were in fulfillment of Psalm 18:20-24 and Isaiah 42 which
speak of the coming of the Messiah. At His baptism Jesus
accepted His role as the Messiah, indicating, however, that His
work would be accomplished through suffering and death. (See
Luke 12:50.) With this role God was well pleased, and God
confirmed it by sending on Jesus the fullness of His Spirit to
accomplish His difficult missioni(See Luke 4:1.)
THINK IT THROUGH What is the meaning of Jesus’ baptism for me?
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 109-113. 45 Becoming A Member LESSON 5 ❑ Thursday July 28
Part 5 "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
BURIAL AND on Christ" (Gal. 3:27).
RESURRECTION
Baptism means doing away with one way of life and putting
on another.
What meanings of baptism are stressed in Romans 6: 3-5?
It is significant that on the two occasions when Jesus spoke of
His death He referred to it as a baptism. "I have a baptism to be
baptized with; and how am I straitened until it be ac-
complished!" (Luke 12:50; see also Mark 10:38, 39.) The word
translated here as "accomplished" is from the same Greek root
as the word "finished" in John 19:30, where Jesus says: "It is
finished." Jesus, our Redeemer, has accomplished His work
through death. And all who are baptized in union with Him, need
not die anymore! Our baptism is our burial. This has a double
meaning: (1) The death of Jesus stands instead of our own
eternal death (Rom. 6:23); and (2) the death of the nature we had
before we knew Jesus Christ. But our baptism is at the same
time our resurrection, again in a double meaning: (1) In union
with Christ we have eternal life (John 11:21-27), and (2) we live
a, new life that shows the fruits of the Spirit of Christ.
What mode of baptism best symbolizes the meaning of
baptism given in Colossians 2:12? (See also Acts 8:38, 39.)
In the New Testament one of the meanings of the Greek word
baptismos is "immersion." John the Baptist chose a place in the
Jordan where there was much water (John 3:23). The only form
of baptism requiring much water is immersion. This symbolized
man's totally lost condition before God, as well as his complete
cleansing. AfterJesus' death and resurrection, the idea of dying
and being resurrected to a new life was best symbolized by
immersion. The same applies to the meaning of washing. The
words "washing," or "washing away," are used parallel to
"baptize." (See Acts 22:16; Eph. 5:26.) When in later years the
practice of pouring and sprinkling became a rule, the idea of
washing was discarded. Though the effect of baptism does not
lie in the rite itself, but in the faith of the believer, the mode of
baptism by immersion remains very significant in light of Jesus'
own baptism, the New Testament practice, and the biblical
meaning of the rite.
THINK IT THROUGH How effective has the baptism signifying death and resur- rection been in my life?
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 98, 99.
46 Becoming A Member LESSON 5 ❑ Friday July 29
Part 6 "According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
REBIRTH regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).
The resurrection to a new life with Christ (Romans 6; Col.
2:9-15) has also been described as a new birth. (See 1 Peter 1:3.)
It is not a result of water baptism, but of a conscious turning
away from the old life and a turning toward Christ, with whom
the believer becomes united. But the water is important, since it
indicates that the new birth is not a result of the will of man, but
of the grace of God.
By what means Is the new birth accomplished? John 3:6-8.
The new birth is new because it is generated by the Holy
Spirit. Through this new birth ordinary human beings become
children of God. A new family is created, with its own life-style,
characteristics, and name. This is the church. It is not merely a
gathering of born-again individuals; it is a family, in which we
are all brothers and sisters. We are not only united to the one
Head, Jesus Christ; we are also united with one another.
Who is associated with the rite of baptism? 1 Cor. 12:13.
In the New Testament the giving of the Holy Spirit is as-
sociated with baptism. It was at His baptism that Jesus received
the Holy Spirit, ordaining Him thereby to His mission as the
Messiah. Jesus' baptism was a model for all later baptisms. It is
at baptism that believers receive the gift of the Spirit. Through
this gift baptism becomes the believers' consecration to the
service of Jesus Christ.
The baptism in the name of the triune God is pointing not only
at the future when those who are baptized will share forever in
the glory of Christ. The believer has already been given his
inheritance of salvation in Christ, the bounty of God's grace. His
sins have been washed away indeed; his salvation is sure. The
Holy Spirit has been given as a down payment and as a seal.
Through baptism we are united in fellowship with Christ and
with His people whom He is preparing for His glorious arrival.
THINK IT THROUGH In light of the biblical meaning of baptism, what can the church do to make it more meaningful in the lives of the believers, individually and corporately?
FURTHER STUDY Evangelism, pp. 306-311.
47
LESSON 6 July 31 to August 6
"They are not of the world, even as I at all times is that it stresses one am not of the world. illustration to the neglect of the
"As thou hast sent me into the others. The result is that a picture of -,-vvorldreven-so+ into the world" (John 17:16, 18). biblical, in the sense that it is rooted in
Scripture, but which is unbiblical at
In the New Testament the church the same time because it fails to take has many aspects; it exists in many into consideration the whole biblital forms_and structures a, nd it has, large view of the church. It is one-sided variety of meanings. It impossible to quite of en` lopsided. Annince grasp these all at once, or to put them church's self-understanding all into one common denominator. determines also the form and The New Testament uses nearly a nature of mission and evangelism, hundred different metaphors and these too become distorted, .0-illustpations .to-deseFibe-the-essenee • ev and meaning of the church. Some of be found in the New Testament. these are the body of Christ, the salt of To avoid such distortions, each the earth, a holy nation, the flock, the illustration needs to be understood bride of Christ, the vineyard, in its own particular meaning and ambassadors for Christ, the temple of accepted as a truth that reveals
his pluralin-MIMAttations tip ar 7 fly cdfriVieraT reminds us constantly that the church and meanings that the church, has in is and remains a mystery. Each Scripture. Each illustration also illustration reveals part of that helps to balance and correct the mystery, but it also leaves other parts meanings, and shades of meanin
ToAnder.slaDdlh.Q5 must turn to other illustrations. Each lustrations. of these enriches the others, This danger of accepting distorted completes and corrects them. and partial truths is the more serious
One great danger facing the church since each age and each particular
situation in the world or in the church
s'=dIe
development of a special church
concept, It happened in the early
centuries of the church,. during the
Reformation, the Pietistic Revivals,
and mail], today. The favorite
illustrations thus emphasized and
developed by the church fathers,
church reformers, or church pioneers
become institutionalized and part of
the hol heritage and sacred tradition.
have this picture of the church
corrected by other biblical
illustrations and metaphors. This
means that the church forever stands 011••••••••
____,....jiLageslaf a refprmatioA„
To be specific: Some of our metaphors find their meaning and treasured concepts of the church, as unity. God’s fortress, His city of refuge, a holy nation called out of an evil world, DAILY HIGHLIGHTS sta4 inrriad of be’ 1. A. Holy CiLGal.,4:25, 26), balanced by such other biblical 2. Safi (Matt. 5:f3) illustrations as the salt, the yeast, the 3. God’s Building (Eph. dispersion, God’s pilgrims, etc. 2:20-22) However, this can happen only when 4. Yeast (Matt. 13:33) we look beyond the simple correlation 5. A Holy Nation Anil biblical images to Jesus Christ, the 6. Aliens and Exiles Head of the church, in whom all these (Heb. 11:13)
The church Is not just the recipient of truth; it is also a vehicle for
sharing the "good news" with others.
Called Out-To Go In LESSON 6 ❑ Sunday July 31
Pad 1 "Sinai is a mountain in Arabia and it represents the
A HOLY CITY Jerusalem of today, for she and her children are in slavery.
But the heavenly Jerusalem is the free woman; she is our
mother" (Gal. 4:25, 26, NEB).
Literal Israel is often depicted in the Scriptures by Jerusalem,
the Holy City, built on solid rock and with walls behind which the
people could find refuge. It is the City of David and of his royal
descendants, the center of the world where all the nations
would come to worship the only true God and find salvation. All
these meanings have been transposed to the "heavenly
Jerusalem" representing the church.
By what other names is the heavenly Jerusalem called in
Hebrews 12:22-24?
Jerusalem is the city of the Messiah. It is the place where God
dwells, where salvation is to be found, and where His chosen
people live. This city has two forms: an earthly, the church, and
a heavenly, which is the model of the church and the hope of
the believers. The citizens of this city have the name of God on
their foreheads (Rev. 3:12), a sign that they belong to God and
to each other in a sacred fellowship.
In Jerusalem there was also the temple of God with the ark
where the commandments of God were kept. This pictures the
church as God's channel of grace and as His holy people who
observe His commandments.
"The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of
Christ; and through the church will eventually be made man-
ifest, even to 'the principalities and powers in heavenly places,'
the final and full display of the love of God."— The Acts of the
Apostles, p. 9.
What is the great opposite of Jerusalem, and what does it
stand for? Rev. 14:8; 17:5, 6.
From all the descriptions given of Babylon, it is clear that this
mysterious name (Rev. 17:5) denotes the very opposite of God's
church. Instead of relying on God and giving glory to Him, it is
arrogant and proud, wicked and sinful; it relies on its own
strength and power and persecutes those who want to remain
loyal to the faith of Jesus and keep His commandments. It
stands under the judgment of God, who urges His people, there-
fore, to leave that city (Rev. 18:4), to give up all unfaithfulness
and sin, and return to the Holy City of God.
THINK IT THROUGH Who really constitute Babylon today, and what are the hallmarks of God’s holy city?
FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 381-383.
50 Called Out-To Go In LESSON 6 ❑ Monday August 1
Part 2 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his
SALT savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for
nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of
men" (Matt. 5:13).
What is the meaning of salt as an illustration of the church?
Matt. 5:13. (See also Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34.)
From the texts and the contexts in which they are given, three
functions of the church stand out clearly: It is called to season
the world, to preserve it, and to purify it.
What is meant by salt losing its saltness? In the Old Testament
ritual services salt was added to every sacrifice. (See Lev. 2:13;
Eze. 43:24.) Without salt the sacrifices were unacceptable. Here
the salt stands for the righteousness of Christ. "Referring to this
practice, Jesus said, 'Every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.'
'Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.' All
who would present themselves 'a living sacrifice, holy, accept-
able unto God' (Rom. 12:1), must receive the saving salt, the
righteousness of our Saviour. Then they become 'the salt of the
earth,' restraining evil among men, as salt preserves from cor-
ruption. Matt. 5:13. But if the salt has lost its savor; if there is
only a profession of godliness, without the love of Christ, there
is no power for good. The life can exert no saving influence
upon the world. Your energy and efficiency in the upbuilding of
My kingdom, Jesus says, depend upon your receiving of My
Spirit. You must be partakers of My grace, in order to be a savor
of life unto life. Then there will be no rivalry, no self-seeking, no
desire for the highest place. You will have that love which seeks
not her own, but another's wealth."—The Desire of Ages, p. 439.
Christ's illustration of the salt suggests a method of
evangelism. "Salt must be mingled with the substance to which
it is added; it must penetrate and infuse in order to preserve. So
it is through personal contact and association that men are
reached by the saving power of the gospel. They are not saved in
masses, but as individuals. Personal influence is a power. We
must come close to those whom we desire to benefit."—
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 36.
THINK IT THROUGH How does the image of the salt balance the concept of the church as a walled city?
FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 231-234.
51
Called Out-To Go In LESSON 6 ❑ Tuesday August 2
Part 3 "[Ye] are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
GOD'S prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in
BUILDING whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an
holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together
for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph. 2:20-22).
What aspects of the church are emphasized in the illustra-
tion of the church as a building? 1 Cor. 3:10, 11;1 Peter 2:4-6.
A building stresses the visibility of the church and its con-
tinuity, strength, and unity. The church is not a building com-
pleted. It is in process of construction. Only the Foundation and
the Cornerstone are laid forever.
What does the Bible teach us concerning the building pro-
cess? Eph. 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5.
From the beginning to the end the construction of the build-
ing is the work of God. It is He who gave the contract; He also
drew the plans and laid the foundation. Yes, even the stones
themselves are first made by Him before they are laid upon the
foundation and are fitted together.
What is the human contribution in the building process? The
Greek word used for "building," can also be translated "edifica-
tion." Whatever edifies the believers builds the church. The
Greek construction in Ephesians 4:12 indicates that the pur-
pose of apostles and other gifts is to prepare the saints for
service and edification. Thus edification is a ministry that falls
upon all the believers alike. It takes place when we love one
another. Love is the cement that binds us together and is man-
ifested in worship and fellowship, in mission and evangelism, in
daily life and in charity. Where people edify one another, there
the church is alive and growing.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the relationship between the individual believer as God’s temple, and the church as God’s holy building?
"The Christian who faithfully presents the word of life, lead-
ing men and women into the way of holiness and peace, is
bringing to the foundation material that will endure, and in the
kingdom of God he will be honored as a wise builder. . . .
"Christ has given to the church a sacred charge. Every
member should be a channel through which God can com-
municate to the world the treasures of His grace, the unsearch-
able riches of Christ. There is nothing that the Saviour desires
so much as agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and
His character."—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 599, 600.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 599-601.
52 Called Out-To Go In LESSON 6 ❑ Wednesday August 3
Part 4 "The kingdom of Heaven is like yeast, which a woman took
YEAST and mixed with half a hundredweight of flour till it was all
leavened" (Matt. 13:33, NEB).
The characteristic of yeast is that it works quietly and unob-
trusively. Yet it permeates the whole dough and gives shape to
the whole bread. Yeast identifies itself with the lump, but in
doing so it slowly changes the character of the whole lump.
Yeast represents thewaythe Holy Spirit works in the human life;
but it also teaches how the church, on receiving the Spirit, is to
work in society. (See The Adventist Home, p. 33.)
In what ways does the church as yeast balance the church
as the building of God? Matt. 13:33; 2 Cor. 6:14-17.
The emphasis in the view of the church as God's building is
that God's people must be different from the world. They must
separate themselves from unbelievers, and be built into a holy
community that stands apart from the secular activities and
interests of the world. This aspect of the church can hardly be
overstressed.
Yet in the image of the yeast we are introduced to another
mode of being in the world as God's church: not isolation and
separation, but involvement and infusion, participation and
penetration. The church can be the yeast only when it identifies
itself with the world's needs and interests, as Christ did. In the
New Testament the church worked as yeast in human institu-
tions, reaching even into the emperor's palace. So today the
members of the church are called to bear this witness in secular
affairs and institutions. As Ellen White said, "The followers of
Christ are to be separate from the world in principles and inter-
ests, but they are not to isolate themselves from the world."—
Counsels to Teachers, p. 323.
These two views of the church have to be kept in balance.
When the church emphasizes only the model of the temple, it
tends to become concerned only about its own holiness; it
becomes isolated from the world, much like Israel in the days of
Christ. On the other hand, if only the model of the salt and the
yeast are stressed, the church stands in danger of becoming so
much identified with the world that it loses its identity. The salt
becomes saltless. It is in the balance between the two that the
church can really be the church after the divine pattern.
THINK IT THROUGH How could the balance between these two illustrations best be facilitated in the church?
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 19-23.
53
Called Out-To Go In LESSON 6 ❑ Thursday August 4
Part 5 "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
A HOLY nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the
NATION praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his
marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
Frequently in the New Testament the church is referred to by
the names used for Israel in the Old Testament. The term "holy
nation" is an example. Among all the nations on earth God had
one nation that He set apart for His own purpose. Now the
church is God's "holy nation." It has become holy through the
death of our Redeemer. (See Eph. 5:25, 26.) For that reason the
New Testament speaks of the members of the church as saints,
that is, persons who are holy.
What does the term "holy" mean in connection with the
church? Christ sanctified a special people for the express pur-
pose of witnessing in the world. First, saints are all those who
are sent out by Christ who has sanctified them. Second, saints
are people on whom the Holy Spirit has fallen. Third, this holy
fellowship means that saints do not defraud one another; they
are willing to be defrauded rather than become involved in
disputes that demonstrate the absence of the standards of the
kingdom of God. Finally, sainthood means a moral perfection, a
holiness of character that is completed "in the fear of the Lord"
(2 Cor. 7:1). This state of holiness is accomplished by present-
ing our bodies daily as a holy sacrifice (Rom. 12:1) or by putting
on the new humanity (Col. 3:10). To be saints, the members of
the church must act as saints, with compassion, meekness,
patience, forgiveness, obedience, and love. (See 1 Peter 1:14-
16.)
It is noteworthy that the term "holy" is almost never used in
the singular as referring only to an individual member of the
church. Holiness refers to the community, the church, as a
whole. To be a saint is to become a participant in what the
church as a whole stands for.
How can the church reach the state of perfect holiness?
Eph. 5:25-27.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the relationship between holiness and love?
"It is the purpose of God to glorify Himself in His people
before the world. He expects those who bear the name of Christ
to represent Him in thought, word, and deed. . . . Their every
business transaction is to be fragrant with the presence of
God."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 21.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 21-24.
54 Called Out-To Go In LESSON 6 ❑ Friday August 5
Part 6 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises,
ALIENS but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them,
AND EXILES and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers
and pilgrims on the earth" (Heb. 11:13).
The image of the holy nation represents the church as an
institution, stable, visible, and continuous, with its own laws,
language, and behavior. The concept of the church as a group
of aliens and exiles living scattered abroad, emphasizes the
pilgrim nature of the church and its foreignness in this world.
How are believers exiles and pilgrims In their own world?
Heb. 11:9-16.
Everyone who is a member of God's chosen people thereby
becomes a pilgrim in his own culture and country, all his life.
(See 1 Peter 2:11.)
The reason for this foreignness of the church in each country
and culture is that we can no longer give final authority to any
earthly power. As Christians we honor our government, but we
do not worship it. And if we honor our government, obey the
rules of the country, and accept its culture and traditions, it is
because we first honor God and worship Him. Members of the
family of God can never give unconditional loyalty to any earthly
society, because their first citizenship is in heaven. "This is
cause for great joy, even though now you smart for a little while"
(1 Peter 1:6, NEB).
What warning given by Jesus to His disciples Indicates the
risk of living as aliens and strangers in the world? Matt.
10:16-18.
Any society resents those strangers in its midst who do not
join in worshiping the popular idols, or in detesting those whom
society discriminates against.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the relationship between loyalty to God, witnessing to His name, and persecution?
"No man can serve God without enlisting against himself the
opposition of the hosts of darkness. Evil angels will assail him,
alarmed that his influence is taking the prey from their hands.
Evil men, rebuked by his example, will unite with them in seek-
ing to separate him from God by alluring temptations. When
these do not succeed, then a compelling power is employed to
force the conscience."—The Great Controversy, p. 610.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 175, 176; Steps to Christ, “Rejoicing in the Lord,” pp. 125, 126.
55
LESSON 7 August 7-13 kr*
To Build U13 the
Church
"How is it then, brethren? when ye The multiple nature of the church as come together, every one of you hath holy city and salt, God's temple and a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a yeast, a holy nation and pilgrims, has langue;lhatItta-revetalioi;rthattit,an—,-4er-4,4aching-co r‘r the interpretation. Let all things be done whole life of the church. It affects its unto edifying" (1 Cor. 14:26). work and its worship, its organization
God gives gifts to His church, building up the whole as each member
freely shares his talents and abilities.
and management, its mission and revival and reformation! But one ministry. When members of thefamily should beware of looking at the of God meet together, they do so not institutional aspects of the church as just for their own sakes, but to be irrelevant and unnecessary. Without ipso . 4.# .#••- I • the— as salt and yeast and pilgrims. The effectiveness of a church movement is weekly church service is intended to drastically reduced. To make the equip the members of the body of church grow and give it continuity, to Christ to begin their service in the guard the truth that was handed on to world as soon as they disperse one us, and to e uip the peo• le of God for itiorts-are- characterized by a movement of indispensable. But these exist not for gathering and dispersing, withdrawal themselves, but to the glory of God from the world and return into the and for service to all men. In short, as world. Church buildings and is true of the gifts: “All of these must urcb_prganizAtiorl and aint at. one thing: to build u associations, church structures and* c urch” Mai:14 46-, NEti meetings, exist not for themselves but for the sake of spreading the gospel in DAILY HIGHLIGHTS all the world. “The church is God’s 1. The Assembly (Heb. appointed agency for the salvation of 10:24, 25)
its mission is to carry the gospel to the 28:19, 20) world.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 3. The Sermon (Rom. p. 9. The church as an institution exists 10:17) for the church as a movement. The 4. Conversation members are to find their happiness (Acts 20:11) not in their own gatherings and S. Service )amentrin’“4”“*”” organization, but in the happiness of 6. The Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. others whom they serve and help and 10:16, 17) bless. When at Pentecost the Holy Spirit touched the-hearts of the
powerful and dynamic movement. People were excited and enthusiastic, active and full of the missionary spirit. But to provide dynamic leadership for the church and to give direction to the zeal” blits-rielitr’Ts;1110 guns and organizations were necessary. The Holy Spirit uses the church as an institution to protect its members and to guide them, to equip them for sprvirp, and to griarab,we _the continuity of the church as a mission- ary movement. It is true that throughout the history of the church institutionalism and traditionalism have been symptomatic of the
hindered the church from achieving its goal as a missionary movement. This development is also noticeable in our own church. (See Christian 3,5n) Hqricp,.thc cry ior To Build Up the Church LESSON 7 ❑ Sunday August 7
Part 1 "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to
THE ASSEMBLY good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves to-
gether, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:
and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Heb.
10:24, 25).
Assembling together, the believers are strengthened in their
Christian experience through the outpouring of God's grace.
Ellen White claims that "God teaches us that we should assem-
ble in His house to cultivate the attributes of perfect love."—In
Heavenly Places, p. 288.
What is the purpose of the assembly? Matt. 18:20.
The gathering of the believers is not merely an organizational
aspect of the church. The assembly is the place where God and
man meet. Here the covenant relationship is reaffirmed again
and again. As one body God's people sense in a special way the
presence of the Lord and are asked to give a response to His
grace. God uses the assembly in a special way to pour out His
blessings upon His people and He accepts their renewed dedi-
cation and worship as an expression of their love and obedi-
ence to Him. To that end God has set aside a special day—the
seventh day—on which He would meet with His people. Four
aspects of the assembly on the Sabbath day deserve special
attention: (1) The believers express their recognition of God as
their Creator and as their Lord (see Mark 2:27, 28); (2) They
express their gratitude for having been redeemed out of their
house of bondage into a state of freedom and joy and peace
(Deut. 5:15); they also express their joy over the covenant of
which the Sabbath is a sign and a seal (Eze. 20:12, 20); (3)
together the believers express their sorrow over their sins, to
which God responds in compassion and grace, forgiving even
their iniquities; and (4) the believers are reminded of the fact
that their gathering on the Sabbath day is an anticipation of
fellowship to be enjoyed in the eternal rest. (See Heb. 4:1-11.)
What are some of the means given the gathering of believ-
ers to express their relationship with God and with one
another? 1 Cor. 11:26; Rom. 10:9,10; Col. 3:16, 17; 1 Tim. 2:1, 2.
The assembly is not only an expression of man's service to
God, but also a channel of God's grace to man and a means of
establishing fellowship with one another. The assembly is an
expression of the communion of the saints, the oneness of all
the believers as the body of Christ.
THINK IT THROUGH In what way can I contribute to build the church through the assembly?
58 To Build Up the Church LESSON 7 ❑ Monday August 8
Part 2 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in THE INSTRUCTION the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com-
manded you" (Matt. 28:19, 20).
After a person has been taught, baptized, and brought into
union with Christ, further instruction is needed. This will help
him to grow in the faith and to strengthen his relationship with
Christ. To that end the church has been given the commission
to teach after baptism as well as before. It is a channel of grace
by which the believer grows in the Spirit and in truth. It is a
means by which he grows into that perfect union with Christ and
in the fellowship with the other members of the body of Christ.
What is the nature of the ongoing instruction of the believ-
ers? Matt. 28:19; John 17:17; 2 Tim. 4:1, 2.
It is clear that the instruction the believer receives after his
baptism is not merely some new information, and not just an
exercise of the mind. It is a means by which the believer be-
comes aware of the grace of God in all of his life and of the many
ways in which he is challenged to show his allegiance to Christ.
It fosters sanctification; it stimulates and empowers the believer
to grow into the stature of Christ and be recreated into the
image of God. After his baptism the believer is suddenly faced
with problems of Christian living and challenges to his Christian
experience that need to be solved and answered. He is faced
with social issues and economic problems, with poverty and
pollution, race relations and social discrimination, the chal-
lenge of culture and new developments in society, marriage,
and the family. What are the biblical answers to these problems
of life? How can a believer live a Christian life amid the many
influences of his environment? This is the nature of the instruc-
tion by which the believer learns "to observe all things what-
soever I have commanded you." It is an ongoing means of
grace.
THINK IT THROUGH In what ways is the church accomplishing this divine ordi- nance of instruction? How does a believer become an instruc- tor?
In the light of Scripture the Sabbath School must be viewed as
more than the church at study. It is a means of consecration,
sanctification, and Christian growth.
"The Sabbath school, if rightly conducted, is one of God's
great instrumentalities to bring souls to a knowledge of the
truth."—Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 115.
FURTHER STUDY Counsels on Sabbath School Work, pp. 61-65.
59
To Build Up the Church LESSON 7 ❑ Tuesday August 9
Part 3 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word
THE SERMON of God" (Rom. 10:17).
Although it is difficult to ascertain the precise pattern of the
ministry of the Word in the New Testament, it clearly has a
central place in the gathering of the believers. In fact, so impor-
tant is the ministry of the Word that when other services
threatened to take up too much of their time, energy, and atten-
tion, the apostles decided to put prayer and preaching first. (See
Acts 6:1-5.)
What are the nature and the aims of the sermon? 1 Thess.
2:13; 2 Tim. 4:1-5.
Preaching is to put the believer in contact with the Word of
God. Through the sermon Christ becomes present in the minds
and hearts of the believers. As such, the sermon is an instru-
ment of grace by which the members are blessed and exhorted,
challenged and comforted, instructed and corrected, built up in
the faith and equipped for service. (See 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.)
The sermon has two important aspects: the interpretation of
Scripture, especially the way God has revealed Himself to man,
His promises, and His prophecies; and the application of the
Word of God to the actual situations of the believers' everyday
life. In that sense the sermon becomes a means of grace that
makes God's promise of salvation a real experience in our time
and circumstance.
"The minister who is God's ambassador and Christ's rep-
resentative on the earth, who humbles himself that God may be
exalted, will possess the genuine quality of eloquence. True
piety, a close connection with God, and a daily, living experi-
ence in the knowledge of Christ, will make eloquent even the
stammering tongue."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 314.
Ministers who are teachers, "if they are really men of God,
receive their words from God. Their manner of address may be
faulty and need much improvement; yet if God breathes
through them words of inspiration, the power is not of man, but
of God." —Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 318.
"God has given His ministers the message of truth to pro-
claim. This the churches are to receive and in every possible
way to communicate, catching the first rays of light and diffus-
ing them."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 425.
THINK IT THROUGH How should I relate to the sermon after the church service has ended?
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 314-318.
60 To Build Up the Church LESSON 7 ❑ Wednesday August 10
Part 4 "He then went upstairs, broke bread and ate, and after CONVERSATION much conversation, which lasted until dawn, he departed"
(Acts 20:11, NEB).
Already in Jesus' own ministry the conversation with one or a
few people was a very significant means of leading people into a
union with Him. Christ has left us thereby an example. Through
such conversations during Jesus' ministry, people became
convinced of the truth; they became aware of their own needs,
and they found in them a means of expressing their faith and
gratitude. These conversations, moreover, created a genuine
fellowship between the believers. Thus the followers of Christ
comforted one another and strengthened each other in the
faith. Conversation is a genuine biblical method of ministry.
What are some of the effects achieved through conversa-
tion? Mal. 3:16; Luke 4:36, 37.
The Word of God is spread; people become convinced of the
truth; new ways are discovered of experiencing the reality of
salvation in our daily lives; a community spirit develops; people
are comforted and strengthened in the faith. Ellen White tells
the ministers that when they have preached their work is just
begun. (See Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 705.)
"Confirm the labor bestowed in the desk by following it up
with private effort. Engage in judicious conversation upon pres-
ent truth, candidly ascertaining the state of mind of those pres-
ent, and in the fear of God making a practical application of
important truth to the cases of those with whom you are
associated."—Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 705, 706.The messenger
of God has stressed over and over again that all believers are
called to use conversation as a means to express the grace of
God and His truth, and to build one another in the faith. (See
Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 509, 513; vol. 4 pp. 347, 348, etc.)
THINK IT THROUGH How can the church today stimulate and facilitate conversa- tion as a means of building up the church?
The contents of the conversation should be much like the
sermon and the instruction, only more personal and more di-
rectly associated with the individual's particular situation. Vari-
ous forms present themselves: Bible study groups, retreats,
after-church dinners, home visitation, prayer groups, commun-
ity service groups, home churches, etc. The organizing of these
groups, however, should not be a goal in itself, but a means
whereby the church is built and the gospel is spread.
FURTHER STUDY Christ’s Object Lessons, “Talents,” pp. 338, 339 (Speech).
61
To Build Up the Church LESSON 7 El Thursday August 11
Part 5 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is
SERVICE this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and
to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).
From Jesus' own ministry the church has learned that the
word and the deed are inseparable. The earliest church saw to it
that none of the believers lacked anything. (See Acts 4:34.) And
ever since that time the church has been an institution for
helping people in their needs.
What was included In the service rendered to people by
Jesus and the apostolic church? Matt. 10:8; 11:5, 6; Acts 6:1-4.
Note the difference of the church from a secular service
organization. Man is an indivisible whole, a total unit. The phys-
ical, social, mental, spiritual, and economic aspects of life are
an integrated whole. All of these together make up a person's
life before God. Salvation is not a matter, therefore, of the heart
or the soul only, or of a person's moral or spiritual life. Salvation
is a total experience. As long as one aspect of life has not been
affected by God's grace, a person is not fully helped. Healing the
body, feeding the hungry, supporting the poor, or visiting pris-
oners are therefore never isolated ends. Christian service is
inspired by the love of Christ, which aims at the salvation of all
men. Christian social action is incomplete without the procla-
mation of the Word and the call to repentance. But the reverse is
also true: Witnessing and evangelization remain sterile without
Christian service.
THINK IT THROUGH Given the many service agencies in modern society, what forms of Christian service would be most needed today?
"I saw that it is in the providence of God that widows and
orphans, the blind, the deaf, the lame, and persons afflicted in a
variety of ways, have been placed in close Christian relationship
to His church; it is to prove His people and develop their true
character. . . . If we have the true religion of the Bible we shall
feel that a debt of love, kindness, and interest is due to Christ in
behalf of His brethren."—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 511.
"Good deeds are the fruit that Christ requires us, tobear: kind
words, deeds of benevolence, of tender regard for the poor, the
needy, the afflicted.... When you succor the poor, sympathize
with the afflicted and oppressed, and befriend the orphan, you
bring yourselves into a closer relationship to Jesus."—
Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 25.
FURTHER STUDY Christian Service, pp. 186-193.
62 To Build Up the Church LESSON 7 ❑ Friday August 12
Part 6 "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the commun-
THE LORD'S ion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not
SUPPER the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are
one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one
bread" (1 Cor. 10:16, 17).
Among all the means of grace whereby believers are brought
into a union with Christ and with one another, none has been
considered so important as the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Sup-
per is the most comprehensive expression of Jesus Christ and
the salvation He has provided.
What is the meaning of the Lord's Supper? Matt. 26: 26-29.
Through the Lord's Supper two basic elements of the church
are realized: the union between God and man, and the union
among the believers. This union with Christ has clearly three
aspects: a past, a present, and a future. The past is represented
in Jesus' words: "This do ... in remembrance of me," referring
in the first place to His death at the cross, whereby He estab-
lished a new covenant with His people. Through His death our
sins have been forgiven and sinners have been reconciled to
God. The present comes to the fore in our experience of sins
forgiven through Jesus. The future aspect of the union is clearly
expressed in Jesus' words: "I will not drink henceforth of this
fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my
Father's kingdom" (Matt. 26:29). The celebration of the death of
Christ is not that of a funeral, but one of joy over the redemption
received and over the promise of an everlasting union, soon to
be realized.
The foot-washing service relates directly to the Lord's Sup-
per. Ellen White points out:
"This ordinance [foot washing] is Christ's appointed prepara-
tion for the sacramental service. While pride, variance, and
strife for supremacy are cherished, the heart cannot enter into
fellowship with Christ. We are not prepared to receive the com-
munion of His body and His blood. Therefore it was that Jesus
appointed the memorial of His humiliation to be first ob-
served. . . .
"To those who receive the spirit of this service, it can never
become a mere ceremonial. Its constant lesson will be, 'By love
serve one another.' Gal. 5:13."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 650,
651.
THINK IT THROUGH Why do Seventh-day Adventists serve an open communion table?
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 656-661.
63
LESSON 8 August 14-20
“Who “Who gave himself for us, that he church as God’s people. (See 1 Peter might redeem us from all iniquity, and 2:9; Titus 2:14.) One reason is that this purify unto himself a peculiar people, term is clearly a dominant picture of —zealous-of good.kstl-frritus.-2-0/4)4,-0 Isnael-441,&01,44estaaiept-a44444.—,. church in the New Testament. It is the The Bible points out many aspects of term most frequently used to express the church and uses the word the very nature of the church. “church” with a large variety of A second reason for giving special meanings. It is difficult to,lannAthem, attention to this ter is that it stresses al under one common denominator. a central viewpoint that permeates The church stands for a way of life and practically all other images of the an assembly of believers; it denotes an church in Scripture: The church is the institution and a system of beliefs; it is work of God. It is only because God an organization and a means of elects a people, protects it, dwells in it, salvation; - it is an accom ished.eventr—ar4d4aves.itrthat,-ther ugcb–.—..s and it points toward the future; a body Apart from God’s gracious activity, the of saints and sinners at the same time, church (as would Judah—lsa. 1:9) human and divine; a holy nation and a would long ago have become as band of pilgrims. Some of these extinct as Sodom. The church is God’s images and metaphors are more own •eo Ie. do min-aritin ftlr tiig1R1g e but they all need each other. They concept of the church as the people of have been given to instruct us so that God is to balance a rather one-sided we will have correct and balanced view of the church which is prevalent views of the church. Yet there are among many believers. Some believe „…sauacizeasoutio. give 50041 thp,church iunainly an organization attention to one term in particular: the that has ceremonies and priests to . conduct them. In the Bible the church is the people who are bound together by belief in Jesus. In other circles, the church has been identified with a
or with a certain office. The church
fathers (Ignatius, Cyprian) expressed
the view that the church consists of its
bishops and clergy. The Bible teaches
th ttubmEchis,Dsi l2dlii_
is one undivided people, wheresacfar,
racial, educational, or sexual
distinctions have lost their
significance. (See Gal. 3:28.) This
should correct the traditional view that
tr;
ministry" from the "ordinary church
members."
Finally, the awakening of the laity,
which has given rise to much new
thought, actiqn, and movement in the
church, stands in need of a renewed DAILY HIGHLIGHTS study on the biblical concept of the 1. God’s Chosen People people of God. This word “laity” is (Ads 15:14) derived from the Greek word laos, 2. An Undivided Whole (2 Cor.
the New estament when the writer 3. A Kingdom of Priests refers to God’s people. A rediscovery (1 Peter 2:9) of the biblical message on the laity as 4. Endowed With His Spirit God’s own people is not only essential (John 20:21, 22) to the revival and reformation we seek 5. The Gifts of the Spirit fin fulfillment of God’s mission in all the 6. The Ministry of the Laity world. (Eph. 4:11, 12)
The great strength of God's church is its dedicated laity—men and
women who give of themselves in compassionate service.
The People of God LESSON 8 ❑ Sunday August 14
Part 1 "God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a
GOD'S people for his name" (Acts 15:14).
CHOSEN
PEOPLE Throughout the New Testament emphasis is given to the fact
that the church has come into existence not through the will of
man, but because God has chosen His own people. As Christ
said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you" (John
15:16; see also verse 19).
What is the basis of God's choice? Deut. 7:6-8; Eph. 2:4-8.
God's grace is the source of everything. It is the source of our
personal life and existence (Acts 17:25), and of the existence of
the church. Grace is the love of God in action; He forgives men
their sins and reconciles them to Himself (2 Cor. 5:19; 8:9).
Grace makes it possible for the people of God to be what God
would like them to be, and by His grace they may be pure and
victorious till the end. (See Eph. 5:26, 27.)
What is the purpose of God's choosing? 1 Peter 2:9; Titus
2:14.
God has no favorites. (See Rom. 2:11.) He is the God of all men
who does not want any person lost, but who wishes that all
might come to a knowledge of truth (1 Tim. 2:4). As God chose
His special people in Old Testament times for service, so His
church in the New Testament is chosen for service. To make all
people aware of His grace and of their reconciliation to God, He
has chosen a special people to be the channels of His grace to
all men. They are the firstfruits of a large harvest from the whole
world. (See James 1:18; see also Rev. 14:4.) The church is called
as a model of what God wants all men to be. By them God
accomplishes His work of grace and redemption. The call to
become a member of God's chosen people, therefore, is a call to
mission and an appointment to be a minister of Christ.
THINK IT THROUGH How do I measure up to my call into the church?
"It was the Saviour's purpose that after He ascended to
heaven to become man's intercessor, His followers should carry
on the work that He had begun. . . . There are some who are
willing to go to the ends of the earth in order to carry the light of
truth to men, but God demands that every soul who knows the
truth shall seek to win others to the love of the truth. If we are not
willing to make special sacrifices in order to save souls that are
ready to perish, how can we be counted worthy to enter into the
city of God?"—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 103.
FURTHER STUDY Christian Service, pp. 7-13.
66 The People of God LESSON 8 ❑ Monday August 15
Part 2 "God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I AN UNDIVIDED will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor. 6:16).
WHOLE
We generally think of the church as a group of men and
women, each of whom has been united to Christ individually.
But these individuals are unified into a group by experiences
common to all. Each one is controlled to some extent by the
group if he is to remain a part of the group.
What illustration does Paul use to describe this oneness of
the people of God? Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14.
Contrary to the classical Greek writings, the Bible uses the
term laos, people, almost exclusively in its singular form. Laos,
from which our word "laity" is derived, is a single, indivisible
unit. God's chosen people are one unit. An individual believer is
never referred to in Scripture as a layman. The Bible speaks only
of the people—one undivided whole. And it stands for all the
believers in Christ, not just the "ordinary believers," a distinc-
tion that is foreign to Scripture.
What is, in Scripture, the opposite of the people of God?
1 Peter 2:9, 10; Rom. 9:25, 26.
In Scripture each people as a distinct unit has a particular
characteristic that distinguishes it from all other peoples.
Therefore, the people of God stands over and against all other
peoples who have not accepted Christ as their Saviour and
Lord.
"In order for the work to be built up strong and symmetrical,
there is need of varied gifts and different agencies, all under the
Lord's direction; He will instruct the workers according to their
several ability. Co-operation and unity are essential to a har-
monious whole, each laborer doing his God-given work, filling
his appropriate position, and supplying the deficiency of
another. One worker left to labor alone is in danger of thinking
that his talent is sufficient to make a complete whole.
"Where there is a union of workers, there is opportunity for
them to consult together, to pray together, to co-operate in
labor. None should feel that they cannot link up with their
brethren because they do not work in exactly the same line as
they themselves do."—Evangelism, p. 104.
THINK IT THROUGH What would be the effects in the church if these biblical concepts were to be more fully implemented?
FURTHER STUDY Christian Service, pp. 67=71.
67
The People of God LESSON 8 ❑ Tuesday August 16
Part 3 "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
A KINGDOM nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the
OF PRIESTS praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his
marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
God called a special people in Old Testament times to be "a
kingdom of priests" (Ex. 19:6). His chosen people today receive
the same call.
What is the nature of the priesthood to which all the believ-
ers have been appointed? 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Heb. 10:19-25.
Under the old covenant, the priestly function was threefold:
to offer sacrifices, to teach the law, and to serve as intercessor
between God and man. (See Heb. 8:3; Deut. 33:10; Heb. 5:1.)
These roles have been fulfilled and taken over by Christ, our
great High Priest. But He has called a special people to partici-
pate in this threefold function on earth in behalf of all nations,
kindreds, tongues, and people.
(1) Sacrifices. The members of the church are urged to "offer
the sacrifice of praise to God continually" (Heb. 13:15), and to
do good (verse 16). The kind deeds of the believers not only
glorify God before men, but they are priestly acts toward God.
Paul calls the ministry of the gospel a "priestly service." Its
purpose is "that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable,
sanctified by the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 15:16, RSV).
(2) Teaching. God's people is a kingdom of priests "to pro-
claim the triumphs of him who has called you out of darkness
into his marvellous light" (NEB). That priestly serv-
ice is accomplished by being ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor.
5:18-20).
(3) Intercessor. God's people, as a kingdom of priests, are
called upon to offer intercessory prayers for one another, for the
physical and spiritual needs of people inside and outside of the
church, for governments, for the work of the church and its
mission in all the world (1 Tim. 2:1, 2).
THINK IT THROUGH How will this biblical teaching of the priesthood of all believ- ers affect my life?
"The Saviour's commission to the disciples included all the
believers. It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time....
All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the
salvation of their fellow men. For this work the church was
established, and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows
are thereby pledged to be co-workers with Christ."—The Desire
of Ages, p. 822.
FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 818-828.
68 The People of God LESSON 8 ❑ Wednesday August 17
Part 4 "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when ENDOWED WITH he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them,
HIS SPIRIT Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:21, 22).
The hallmark of the people of God is that it is a people moved
by the Holy Spirit. The church was born at Pentecost. It con-
tinues to exist by God's presence among His people through the
Holy Spirit.
From Pentecost on, the abundance of the Spirit's activity in
the church is testified to in many ways. Our understanding of
the work of the Holy Spirit may be deepened by noting His work
for His people, and His work through His people.
For His people: The Spirit renews us (Titus 3:5) and dwells in
us (Rom. 8:11); He is our access to the Father (Eph. 2:18) and
makes intercession for us (Rom. 8:26). The Spirit is the means of
fellowship (Phil. 2:1) and of prayer (Eph. 6:18), of joy (1 Thess.
1:6) and of worship (Phil. 3:3). He is the seal of our salvation and
"the pledge that we shall enter upon our heritage" (Eph. 1:13,
14, NEB). He guides the people of God into all truth (John 16:13)
and helps man to confess that Christ is Lord (1 Cor. 12:3). The
Spirit wars against the flesh (Gal. 5:17), quickens our mortal
bodies (Rom. 8:11), and changes us into the image of the Lord
from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18). In short: "It is by the Spirit that
the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes
a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a
divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tenden-
cies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His
church."—The Desire of Ages, p. 671.
Through His people: The Holy Spirit is given that men may
bear witness for Christ "in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). It
is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables His people to become
ministers who can bring the gospel to others (1 Peter 1:12). It is
when people become filled with the Holy Spirit that they begin
to bear witness by speaking the Word of God, through service,
or by a genuine fellowship and a holy life.
THINK IT THROUGH How can the promise of the Holy Spirit become more real in the life of God’s people today?
"If all were willing, all would be filled with the Spirit. Wherever
the need of the Holy Spirit is a matter little thought of, there is
seen spiritual drought, spiritual darkness, spiritual declension
and death."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 50.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 52-56.
69
The People of God LESSON 8 ❑ Thursday August 18
Part 5 "In each of us the Spirit is manifested in one particular way,
THE GIFTS for some useful purpose" (1 Cor. 12:7, NEB).
OF THE
SPIRIT "Concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you
ignorant" (1 Cor. 12:1.) Each believer has been endowed with at
least one gift that equips and enables him to do his work of
ministry (verse 7). Unlike the pagans who are seized by some
power, Christians are not carried away by the Spirit blindly and
emotionally. Manifestations of the Spirit lead people to profess
that Jesus is Lord (verses 2, 3). The test, therefore, whether a
manifestation of the spirit is from God or from some other spirit
is whether these manifestations serve the lordship of Jesus
Christ, and whether they serve to build the church and advance
the gospel.
In what ways is the Holy Spirit manifested in the people of
God? 1 Cor. 12:4-7.
God bestows these gifts (charismata, verse 4) upon His
people to bear witness in the world, equipping and enabling the
church for administrations (service, RSV) (diakonia, verse 5),
following Christ's example in every line of ministry He Himself
performed while He lived on earth. Operations (work RSV)
(energemata, verse 6) refers to that which is wrought by God
through the gifts and the varieties of service. They are the active
outworkings of the gifts, such as salvation, the growth of the
church in numbers, and its growth in spirit and in truth (Eph.
4:13-16).
What kind of gifts has God bestowed upon His people?
1 Cor. 12:8-10; Eph. 4:8, 11.
A comparison of these texts suggests that the apostle Paul is
not attempting to give a full list of all the gifts or a definite
ranking order. What stands out clearly is: (1) that these gifts are
not offices but abilities for special times and places; (2) that they
have been given to benefit the church as a whole, and not just
for the growth of the individual believer receiving the gift; (3) in
the eyes of God all gifts and services are very significant for the
functioning of the body as a whole; (4) though each believer has
received some kind of gift and service, according to the meas-
ure of God, there is no one believer who unites all of these gifts
in himself; and (5) that all gifts, services, and workings are given
for the building up of the body of Christ and for the ac-
complishment of God's mission in the world.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the relationship between the gifts of the Spirit and the believers’ natural talents?
FURTHER STUDY Christ’s Object Lessons, “Talents,” pp. 325-328. 70 The People of God LESSON 8 ❑ Friday August 19
Part 6 What is the purpose of, among others, pastors and THE MINISTRY teachers?
OF THE LAITY
"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be
prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and
teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that
the body of Christ may be built up" (Eph. 4:11, 12, NIV).
In the King James Version of verse 12 three phrases begin
with "for." In Greek the first "for" has the meaning "in order to,"
while the other two instances use another Greek word. The
thought suggested by this construction is that the perfecting of
the saints is for the purpose of their doing a work of ministry.
Not that they replace the ordained minister, but that there is a
ministry which belongs to the laity.
Since the development of the laity for ministry is a function of
the gifts that the Spirit has given, the church may want to help
the believers become aware of the particular ways they can
serve. Then their gifts could be further stimulated and de-
veloped, prepared and coordinated for actual ministry. The
accomplishing of God's work on earth greatly depends on how
seriously each member of the people of God takes his calling to
service, and on how the church will organize itself to facilitate
the participation of all the believers in the ministry of Jesus
Christ.
"In their [the leaders in God's cause] planning they are to give
special study to the work that can be done by the laity for their
friends and neighbors. The work of God in this earth can never
be finished until the men and women comprising our church
membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those
of ministers and church officers."—Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 116,
117.
"In every church the members should be so trained that they
will devote time to the winning of souls to Christ. How can it be
said of the church, 'Ye are the light of the world,' unless the
members of the church are actually imparting light?"—
Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 436.
In laboring where there are already some in the faith, the
minister should at first seek not so much to convert unbelievers,
as to train the church-members ... to work for others."—Gospel
Workers, p. 196.
"Let different ones take turns in leading the meetings, and in
giving Bible-readings; in so doing they will be calling into use
the talents which God has given them, and at the same time be
receiving a training as workers."—Gospel Workers, p. 197.
71
LESSON 9 August 21-27
Church Order and
—Ministry "He gave some, apostles; and (Eph. 4:11, 12). some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and The Hebrew faith in Bible times teachers;..for-thop a cppriat saints, for the work of the ministry, for class of people that served as the edifying of the body of Christ" mediators between God and man.
God appoints men and women to responsible leadership in His
work. How much they need our prayer and support!
They had particular privileges and privileged few who were professional duties. In the Christian church religionists. priesthood belongs to Jesus Christ Of course there were, in New alone. (See Heb. 5:6; 8:1-4; Testament times, individuals such as LiilactthY….andleter_who_wer.e–Not Priest, all members of the household called to full-time service for God’s of God have equal access. Jesus Christ cause. There was not, however, the is called an apostle (Heb. 3:1), a rabbi drastic distinction between clergy and (teacher) (Matt. 23:8), a shepherd and laity that developed in the apostasy a bishop (1 Peter 2:25; 5:4), and a and is still seen in some quarters . today:.._ basis of all ministry by His followers Through baptism every member (Mark 10:43-45); He is also the basis of receives a ministry to perform for all authority in the church. (See Rev. Jesus Christ. Laity refers to belonging 2:1,7.) The church is a Christocracy, in to the body of Christ. Ministry is the whirh all nipmhp.ts. .the function pf the one who beIfia, privileges and duties thebelong to 1.-hrist’s body. ro 6e a rrierilb* of the the body of Christ as a whole. Jesus laity and not also a minister or servant specifically prohibited His disciples of Jesus Christ is like calling oneself a from establishing class distinctions cook while refusing to work in the (Matt. 23:8-10). The people of God as a kitchen. —-whele-areralted to pat; eigate the ministry of Jesus Christ. They are DAILY HIGHLIGHTS appointed to be His priests in the 1. The Gift of Ministry world (1 Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:6). To that (Rom. 12:6) end the gifts of grace have been 2. Christ, Our Minister b stowed_ykon every church rvernber (1 Peter 2:25) mm ( or. 12:7; tph. 4: 7) . There is some J. Apostles (-or. 12128T evidence that in the New Testament 4. Prophets (Eph. 2:20) church every member could baptize, 5. Evangelists and Teachers distribute the Lord’s Supper, and (Eph. 4:11, 12) speak in any assembly where they 6. Ordination (1 Tim. 4:14) .raid*Pack+ a Ori t’ort b .- edification of the church in public service. A sharp cleavage into “clergy” and “laity” is foreign to the New Testament. The word “clergy” (and its cogrtate,§), is derived from the Greek word kleros, which means “allotment,” “inheritance,” or “portion.” In the Scripture kldros is used to indicate (1) the share of salvation in Jesus Christ, (2) the
portion of peace and joy. These
special privileges belong to all the
members of the household of God.
The way that the word kleros is used
in the New Testament contradicts the
wayw ueis• en a ive gy
today. We have noticed the three New
Testament uses that are related to this
subject. Thus it is seen that it was the
people of the church who received the
nhPx rtrP. _aostoptilict. A
Church Order and Ministry LESSON 9 ❑ Sunday August 21
Part 1 "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,
THE GIFT OF let us use them" (Rom. 12:6, RSV).
MINISTRY
Although the believers share alike in the calling and the
privileges of the ministry of Jesus Christ, the Bible insists that all
of these functions be carried out "in order" (1 Cor. 14:40). Each
function can properly be carried out only in cooperation with
other gifts and services. Thus there are limitations on the ser-
vice of each believer. These limitations are determined by the
particular gift received and the place of service. Under Christ's
guidance the church defines and regulates the varieties of ser-
vice. This becomes apparent in the church's appointment and
affirmation of specialized ministers.
What special ministries does Paul mention? Eph. 4:11;
1 Cor. 12:28.
These specialized ministries are unmerited gifts of grace.
They are functions, not offices; services, not positions. These
specialized ministries belong to the whole church; but they can
best be carried out through "chosen servants" to whom God
has given these special gifts. The specialized ministry, there-
fore, is performed by delegation to individuals. The authority for
this ministry rests with the church. God takes the initiative in
calling persons from among His chosen people and in endow-
ing them with special gifts. The church then tests these people
to know whether their call is from God. If the call has been found
genuine, the church then recognizes, confirms, and supports
their services with the gifts and services of every other member.
What is the hallmark of ministry according to the teaching of
Jesus? Matt. 20:25-28.
The usual word in the New Testament for "ministry" is
diakonia, and the minister is called a diakonos, from which our
word "deacon" comes. Given the large choice of words avail-
able in Greek to describe the function of a minister, it is remark-
able that the New Testament writers usually chose this term,
which stresses the idea of serving. The basic meaning of
diakonia is "to serve at the table." The New Testament em-
phasizes that ministry is characterized by a special subordina-
tion. The inspired writers of the New Testament emphasized
that everyone who is called to minister by the grace of God is
thereby called to follow Christ, who, being equal with God,
made Himself a slave of all men. He did not come to be served,
but to be a servant of all.
FURTHER STUDY Gospel Workers, pp. 63-65.
74 Church Order and Ministry LESSON 9 ❑ Monday August 22
Part 2 "Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto
CHRIST, OUR the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25).
MINISTER
All appointed ministries and services rest in Jesus. All gifts
have validity, only to the extent that they are based on Christ's
own ministry on earth and in heaven, and to the extent that they
are carried out in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Ministry in the
church becomes in reality the imitation and the continuation by
believers, through the Spirit, of the ministry of Jesus Christ
(John 15; 16:1-15).
Service characterized the ministry of Jesus. He made Himself
nothing; He took the form and nature of a slave and lived a life
that was wholly dedicated to God and to His fellowmen. The
great motive of His servanthood was love. It manifested itself in
subordination and obedience, in lowliness and humility, in wit-
nessing and suffering.
It is precisely these characteristics of Jesus' ministry that lend
it such great authority! Worldly powers and authorities demand
obedience on the ground of their position, status, or dignity. In
the church authority does not stem from an office or status, but
from the church's recognition that the ministers are really faith-
ful representatives of Jesus Christ who continue their ministry
in lowliness and humility, obedience and sacrifice, and who
give their lives to serve others out of love.
In what two ways can the church recognize whether a minis-
try is based on Christ's ministry? Luke 22:25-27; 2 Cor. 5:18-20.
Ministry, the call to service, is an unmerited gift of grace. (See
1 Cor. 15:8-10.) Nobody can be a servant of God by his own will,
intellect, or training. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2
Cor. 4:7). Such a ministry can be performed only by the person
in whom Christ lives and who is truly converted. Only the person
whose sins have been forgiven and who lives in the newness of
life can really serve as a representative of Jesus Christ.
THINK IT THROUGH What makes ministry permanent in the church?
FURTHER STUDY Gospel Workers, pp. 48-50.
75
Church Order and Ministry LESSON 9 ❑ Tuesday August 23
Part 3 "God has set some In the church, first apostles" (1 Cor.
APOSTLES 12:28).
The word "apostle" means "someone who is sent." He is one
sent for a particular task and with the authority of him who has
sent him. An apostle, in the New Testament, is therefore a
representative of Jesus Christ, who sends him with His authority
to carry out His mission. (See John 20:21-23.) Our word "mis-
sionary" reflects the meaning of "apostle" in this literal sense of
the word. The apostles Peter and Paul stress the fact that apos-
tles were eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus, who also have
been called to preach the great events of His life. (See Acts
1:15-26; 1 Cor. 9:1, 2.) This special call distinguishes the apostle
from others who had also been eyewitnesses (Luke 24:13, 18,
33; 1 Cor. 15:5-8). Sometimes the term "apostle" is limited to the
Twelve, the original bearers of the gospel message, the "foun-
dation stones" of the church. Their names appear also on the
foundations of the wall of the New Jerusalem (Eph. 2:20; Rev.
21:14). "Apostle" is used for Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:4, 14)
Apollos (1 Cor. 4:6, 9), and Silvanus and Timothy (1 Thess. 1:1;
2:6). And, of course, Jesus Himself is called an apostle (Heb.
3:1). These facts point out that "apostle" in the New Testament
has both a technical and a general meaning. In its technical
sense it refers to those who have seen the risen—or exalted—
Lord, who have been entrusted with the gospel to keep it, and
who have been directly commissioned by Jesus to preach it.
Apostles in the wider sense of the word, then, are all those who
are specially sent by the church on the basis of the word deliv-
ered by Christ and His apostles, the foundation stones of the
church. We would do well to remember, however, that the word
"apostle" refers to a function, a call to service.
THINK IT THROUGH In what ways can the church of God truly be apostolic?
"As Christ sent forth His disciples, so today He sends forth the
members of His church. The same power that the apostles had
is for them. If they will make God their strength, He will work
with them, and they shall not labor in vain."—The Acts of the
Apostles, p. 599.
"All heaven is waiting for men and women through whom
God can reveal the power of Christianity.
"The church is God's agency for the proclamation of truth,
empowered by Him to do a special work.
"It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but
to hasten the coming of the Saviour."—The Acts of the Apostles,
p. 600.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 593, 594.
76 Church Order and Ministry LESSON 9 ❑ Wednesday August 24
Part 4 "Ye are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
PROPHETS prophets" (Eph. 2:20).
Sometimes in the New Testament the prophets are mentioned
together with the apostles. For examples, see Luke 11:49 and
Rev. 18:20. Both functions are a gift of the Spirit. The church
chooses neither prophets nor apostles. It can test them and
recognize whether or not their words are from God; it can allow
them to speak or refuse them; it can accept their word or reject
it. The criterion for testing them is whether they testify to Jesus
as Lord and whether they edify the church. (See 1 Cor. 12:3, 7;
14:1-40.)
What is the function of the prophets in the church? 2 Peter
1:19-21; 1 Cor. 14:3.
The gift of prophecy is the authority to speak to men for God.
Prophets declare what the will of God is for the present, and
sometimes they predict future events, such as Agabus did. (See
Acts 11:28; 21:10, 11.) The primary function of the prophets is
edifying the church. Prophets, through visions, dreams, audi-
tions, or a special enlightenment of the mind, give new truths or
new insights into truths already revealed. They are also sent to
call the church back from erroneous thought or behavior, to
awaken the church, and to arouse it to faith and action. Com-
monly the revelations these people receive are to meet special
needs and immediate situations in the church. Since such
needs arise ever anew, the gift of prophecy is an abiding feature
of the church of God and a mark of its authenticity'. (See Rev.
12:17; 19:10.)
Many Christians believe that the gift of prophecy ceased with
the early church. The Scriptures testify that this gift will be
present in the church until the last day (Eph. 4:11-13). Seventh-
day Adventists believe that the gift of prophecy was manifest in
the work of Ellen G. White.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the relationship of the gift of prophecy to the canon of the Holy Scripture?
"The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative,
infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of charac-
ter, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience. . . .
"Yet the fact that God has revealed His will to men through His
word, has not rendered needless the continued presence and
guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was prom-
ised by our Saviour to open the word to His servants, to illumi-
nate and apply its teachings."—The Great Controversy, p. v11.
FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. v-x11.
77
Church Order and Ministry LESSON 9 ❑ Thursday August 25
Part 5 "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
EVANGELISTS evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfect-
AND TEACHERS Ing of the saints, for the work of the ministry" (Eph. 4:11, 12).
According to Hebrews 5:12, the whole church "ought to be
teachers." However, many believers continue to need someone
to teach them the ABC's of God's oracles again. For this reason
teachers are extremely important to the church. They are men-
tioned along with apostles and prophets in First Corinthians
12:28 and in Ephesians 4:11.
What Is the role of teachers in the church? Matt. 28:19, 20.
Teaching in the New Testament means much more than what
is commonly understood by it today. Teaching is not merely
giving instructions and explanations or passing on information.
It means edification, care and nurture of the spirit as much as of
the mind. Without such teachers the church cannot grow—that
is, grow in the understanding of truth, in maturity and perfec-
tion, in the stature of Christ. Teaching is a gift that guards the
truth and spreads it; it edifies the congregation and helps the
people of God to apply it to their everyday life situation. Teach-
ing, therefore, is a function of the pastor, the evangelist, the
elder, or the deacon. (See 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:2, 24.) It is an
extremely important service, which carries grave respon-
sibilities.
The name "evangelist" is related to the word euangelion,
which is translated as "the gospel." From the few indications
the Bible gives us concerning their service, evangelists were
preachers of the gospel, especially to those who had never
heard it before. To that end these men traveled from place to
place, proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ, raising up
churches and organizing them. They were not just preachers;
they were also pastors of the flock the Lord gave them. Neither
was evangelism the function of a specialist only. Philip, the
evangelist, was one of the seven deacons chosen to wait on the
tables of the widows (Acts 6:1-6), and Timothy, whom the apos-
tle Paul exhorted to do the work of an evangelist, was the pastor
of a local church. The work of an evangelist, like any other
service, was not an office or a position; it was rather a gift
entrusted to people in the church who either full-time or part-
time employed that gift.
THINK IT THROUGH What gift of the Spirit did I receive by which I am equipped to “edify the body of Christ”?
FURTHER STUDY Christian Service, pp. 14-22.
78 Church Order and Ministry LESSON 9 ❑ Friday August 26
Part 6 "Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by
ORDINATION prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon
you" (1 Tim. 4:14, RSV).
Some words which the King James Version has translated
"ordain" actually mean "to appoint" or "to choose." In the New
Testament no special rite is implied in the word "ordain." How-
ever, there are a number of instances in the New Testament
where by a special service persons were dedicated to ministry.
By what service were people in the early church set apart
for gospel work? Acts 6:6; 13:1-3.
By the act of laying on of hands, today called ordination, the
church recognizes and affirms the gift which God has bestowed
upon certain people to equip them for their special ministry. It is
important to note that first comes the special gift of God, then its
services and workings, and finally the church's affirmation by
which some people are installed for a definite form of ministry.
By the rite of the laying on of hands the one set apart receives no
new authority, no special power, no new grace or qualification.
As the case of the seven deacons clearly indicates, the men
were already equipped for their task before the laying on of
hands, being "full of the Spirit and of wisdom" (Acts 6:3, NEB).
Wrong ideas about ordination developed in the church after
apostolic times. We can avoid these by understanding the na-
ture of the ceremony of ordination in the New Testament. The
ceremony of the laying on of hands "added no new grace or
virtual qualification. It was an acknowledged form of designa-
tion to an appointed office and a recognition of one's authority
in that office. By it the seal of the church was set upon the work
of God. . . .
"At a later date the rite of ordination by the laying on of hands
was greatly abused ;'unwarrantable importance was attached to
the act, as if a power came at once upon those who received
such ordination, which immediately qualified them for any and
all ministerial work."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 162.
THINK IT THROUGH In what way are the New Testament concepts of ordination followed in our church today?
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 159-163.
79
LESSON 10 August 28 to September 3
Church Order
"Wherefore, brethren, covet to means a summons to a special service, prophesy, and forbid not to speak with a calling out from among the people tongues. Let all things be done for the sake of servi ng them, much like -decently and-in-or 40). army, all of which can be used as
translations for the Greek word
The New Testament writers teach of ekklesia. These institutions do not
one body of Christ but many exist for themselves. Their members
churches• of one minist bu man have been called to serve the whole
forms o service. a is e socie y. o WI c117ThZ---
relationship between local word ekklesia in the New Testament
congregations and the church refers to the church in three ways: (1)
universal? Between the one ministry of the entire body of. Christ, the one
Jesus Christ and the church's many universal church, such as in Matthew - forms of work?,-The-answor-biegias-
with church unity. There is onFy one place; it is the people who constitute
church, inseparable and undivided; the church. It is not the organization
one Lord, who is the Head of that or a group of local churches; it is the
church; one gospel, which is the basis men and women whose lives have
of the church; and one mission, which been united with Christ and who are
'is the 'reason-Mgt Otte'dr lei (2)
congregation, therefore, is much local church —that is, the people of
more than an organizational unit of God manifested in a particular locality,
the church at large. And a group of such as the church at Thessatonica
churches (conference, union) is much (1 Thess. 1:1) or every local church
mare than the wrn of xinumberof 1 4.17 o in it •lur I form it
members or a group or local • esignates a group o c urc es in a
congregations. Each church and each particular region, such as "the
group of churches is a manifestation of churches of Galatia" (Gal. 1:2). The
the one body of Christ in a particular one universal church is not the sum of
location or area. This stands out clearly many individual churches. Rather, the --- from-the-New Testdine
Greek word ekklesia, which is used local congregations are the individual
more than 100 times to denote what in expressions of that one undivided
our language is called the church. church. Typical of this New Testament
(Our word "church" is a derivation view are Paul's epistles to the believers
from another Greek word, kuriakos, in Corinth, whom he dresses as "the
which means "the Lord's" or cfnirai of God which is at Corinth"
"belonging to the Lord." Ekklesia, (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1). For our time
from which our word "ecclesiastical" and situation such a view of the
has been derived, is a compound of church is best expressed in such
the words ek, meaning "out," and terms as "the Seventh-day - kaleo; which-means 'to-cal' "to
summon." Literally, ekklesia or "the Seventh-day Adventist
therefore means "a calling out." This Church in Brazil." (3) the actual
does not refer, as sometimes has been assembly of believers, such as in
suggested, to the church members' First Corinthians 11:18. This does not
separation from thoworld. It rather refer to the building, or the time but
just to the fact of gathering, the actual everywhere and at all times. worship, The New Testament concept of the church, then, is that of one body. It DAILY HIGHLIGHTS Essesice.oLthe…0* such as in Ephesus and Corinth and Church (Acts 15:6, 22) Rome, and so on. The church 2. The Elder (Ads 14:23) stretches out not only in space, but it 3. The Bishop (Titus 1:7) also extends in time. Therefore it is 4. The Deacon (1 Tim. 3:13) manifest in every age. For this reason S. Church Discipline (Matt. the-organitation—arvittlisriptine-of-tfre-18tIV17/ New Testament church are patterns 6. Church Government (1 John that should guide the whole church 2:20)
iNIANN.N1111111001011.004.00"."0"...
Each congregation must be organized for worship and witness; there
is a work for each to do.
Church Order and Organization. LESSON 10 ❑ Sunday August 28
Part 1 "The apostles and elders came together for to consider of
ORDER, AN this matter."
ESSENCE OF "Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole
THE CHURCH church, to send chosen men of their own company" (Acts 15:6,
22).
The New Testament does not offer us a fixed plan of organiza-
tion. The church was then only in the beginning stages of
development. But from that beginning the Holy Spirit provided
for its further development. The church is a spiritual body that
must constantly be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. That
demands a flexible organization which will allow new ministries
to be born either as a result of divine revelation or because of
new circumstances.
What are some scriptural evidences of a definite order and
organization in the New Testament church? Acts 6:1-8; 15:22,
23; 2 Thess. 3:6, 7; Titus 1:5.
Organization and order have characterized the church from
its very beginning. Some of the organizational steps they took
were these: The believers held meetings; a definite discipline
and decorum was maintained; letters of recommendation were
sent from one church to another; collections were taken and
sent from one church to another; registers were kept of the
widows under the care of the church; elders and deacons were
appointed; and new members were added and instructed.
"We want to hold the lines evenly, that there shall be no
breaking down of the system of regulation and order. In this way
license shall not be given to disorderly elements to control the
work at this time. We are living in a time when order, system, and
unity of action are most essential."—Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 228.
"Some have advanced the thought that as we near the close
of time, every child of God will act independently of any reli-
gious organization. But I have been instructed by the Lord that
in this work there is no such thing as every man's being
independent."—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 489.
"How Satan would rejoice if he could succeed in his efforts to
get in among this people and disorganize the work at a time
when thorough organization is essential and will be the greatest
power to keep our spurious uprisings and to refute claims not
endorsed by the word of God!"—Testimonies to Ministers, p.
489.
THINK IT THROUGH How can a church organization remain flexible so that new forms can develop in response to new challenges and needs?
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 650-653.
82 Church Order and Organization LESSON 10 ❑ Monday August 29
Part 2 "When they had ordained them elders in every church, and
THE ELDER had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on
whom they believed" (Acts 14:23).
Apostles, prophets, teachers, and evangelists were general
ministers whose gifts and services benefited the entire church.
The words "elder," "bishop," "pastor," and "deacon" refer to
one who served primarily in a local congregation or district.
Elder, bishop, and pastor are synonomous.
What were some duties of the elder in the New Testament
church? Acts 20:28-31; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Titus 1:9.
Wherever a new church was planted and organized, the apos-
tles appointed elders to ad minister it, to careforthe believers, to
instruct them, and to nurture them. This work of tending "the
flock" was to be done after the pattern of Christ, "neither as
being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the
flock" (1 Peter 5:3). It means serving, not dominating; humbling
oneself, not exalting. The elder is called to be a good shepherd:
He does not act as an hireling, who is motivated only by money
and flees when danger comes (John 10:12, 13), but who is
willing to sacrifice his all for the sake of the flock. He is called to
feed and nurture the flock by declaring to them "all the counsel
of God" (Acts 20: 27), as "a good teacher" (1 Tim. 3:2, NEB).
From Paul's example we see that the elder's work is to ad-
monish and to encourage (1 Thess. 5:12-14), to help and to
comfort, even with tears (Acts 20:31, 35), to counsel and to
discipline with patience and tenderness, to exhort in sound
doctrine, and to refute those who contradict (Titus 1:9). The
service of an elder in the church is certainly not easy. It is
described as laboring at great cost and much sacrifice.
What qualifications for becoming an elder did Paul record?
1 Tim. 3:1-7.
The fact that God inspired the apostle Paul to write twice (see
Titus 1:5-9 also) a rather extensive list of the qualifications for
elders evidences God's concern over the leadership of the
church and the necessity for great care in choosing such lead-
ers. These qualifications concern the personal character of the
elder, his family, his relations to others, both inside and outside
the church, his abilities, talents, and gifts, his standing before
God, and his faith.
THINK IT THROUGH What system of church government is based on the leader- ship of elders?
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 617-619.
83
Church Order and Organization LESSON 10 ❑ Tuesday August 30
Part 3 "A bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God" (Titus
THE BISHOP 1:7).
What was the role of the bishop in the New Testament?
1 Tim. 3:2, 5; Titus 1:7-9.
In the New Testament the words "bishop," "elder," and "pas-
tor" were used of the same men. The English word "bishop" is a
transliteration of the Greek word episkopos (overseer), who in
the New Testament looked after the needs of a local congrega-
tion. Bishop or overseer was neither a title nor an office. It was
the function of an elder, and clearly a service based on a special
gift of grace.
In Acts 20:17 the apostle Paul summoned the elders of the
church at Ephesus to meet him at Miletus. In speaking to them
he addressed them as pastors and overseers (bishops) of the
flock (verse 28). Similarly in Titus 1:5, the apostle gives instruc-
tion for the ordination of elders in every city. When he sub-
sequently lists their qualifications, he calls them "bishops"
(verse 7). In doing the work of an overseer (bishop) and pastor,
the elder is continuing the ministry of Jesus Christ, "the
Shepherd and Bishop of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25). This pas-
toral and administrative leaderhip of a local church is not that of
"lording it over" the believers who are allotted to the elders'
care (1 Peter 5:3), but after the pattern of Christ, who taught His
disciples that their form of leadership would not be like that of
the world (Luke 22:26, 27). "Whoever wants to be great must be
your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the willing
slave of all" (Mark 10: 44, NEB). It is on the basis of this kind of
service, and of their special qualifications (see 1 Tim. 3:1-7;
Titus 1:5-9), that the congregation is called to recognize their
church elders as pastors and bishops and to "hold them in the
highest possible esteem and affection" (1 Thess. 5:13, NEB).
(See also Heb. 13:17.)
THINK IT THROUGH Is it a wrong ambition to strive to become a bishop? What is the Christian motive for such an aspiration?
"To aspire to leadership is an honourable ambition" (1 Tim.
3:1, NEB).
"Whatever gift each of you may have received, use it in service
to one another, like good stewards dispensing the grace of God
in its varied forms. Are you a speaker? Speak as if you uttered
oracles of God. Do you give service? Give it as in the strength
which God supplies. In all things so act that the glory may be
God's through Jesus Christ; to him belong glory and power for
ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4: 10, 11, NEB).
84 Church Order and Organization LESSON 10 ❑ Wednesday August 31
Part 4 "Those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for
THE DEACON themselves and also great confidence in the faith which is in
Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 3:13, RSV).
In the New Testament the leadership of the local churches
was in the hands of elders (bishops) and deacons. (See also
Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-13.) The word "deacon" comes from the
g reek diakonos, which in Greek literature denoted a servant or a
slave whose duties consist of waiting on his master's table and
sometimes doing the shopping for him. Throughout the New
Testament the word diakonos, and its cognates is used in a
large variety of meanings. All of these stress some kind of
servanthood. Christ is called a diakonos; and His ministry both
in form and in attitude, is spoken of as diakonia. (See Phil. 2:7.)
These words are also used of the ministry of Paul and of other
apostles and elders. The information in the New Testament
makes it highly plausible to conclude that the deacons were
originally the assistants of the apostles (see Acts 6:1-8) and that
they later served as "associate pastors," assisting the elders or
bishops in the performance of their many duties, according to
their particular gifts.
What were the qualifications for a deacon? 1 Tim. 3: 8-13.
The functions of the deacon were connected with both the
administration of the church and the spiritual life of the believ-
ers. To carry out these responsibilities, the gifts and the qualifi-
cations necessary to become a deacon were about the same as
those of an elder or bishop. Deacons served as administrators,
according to their gift. (Rom. 12:6, 7), especially in relation to
material and financial matters. Thus they were to be honest, not
"greedy for gain." Since they were called to visit the believers at
home, they should be "serious, not double-tongued" (1 Tim.
3:8, RSV).
"The appointment of the seven [deacons] to take the over-
sight of special lines of work, proved a great blessing to the
church. These officers gave careful consideration to individual
needs as well as to the general financial interests of the church,
and by their prudent management and their godly example they
were an important aid to their fellow officers in binding together
the various interests of the church into a united whole."—The
Acts of the Apostles, p. 89.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 87-91.
85
Church Order and Organization LESSON 10 ❑ Thursday September 1
Part 5 "If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him
CHURCH his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee,
DISCIPLINE thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then
take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or
three witnesses every word may be established. And if he
shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he
neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen
man and a publican" (Matt. 18:15-17).
Jesus taught three steps to follow in dealing with an offender:
1.Settle the matter first between brothers. Do not expose him,
thereby increasing the difficulty of disciplining him. But go to
the erring one, with a heart filled with Christ's love and sym-
pathy, and seek to adjust the matter. Read James 5:20.
2. If this fails, witnesses are to be included in a second at-
tempt, so that if it comes before the church, it will be estab-
lished.
3. In case further action becomes necessary, it is to be taken
by the whole church.
What is the purpose and means of church discipline? Matt.
18:15-17; Gal. 6:1; Titus 3:9, 10; 1 Thess. 5:14.
The aim of church discipline is to make men and women
disciples of Jesus Christ. Where members refuse to become
united with Christ and follow Him, discipline must be carried out
for the sake of those who still are disciples of Christ, but who
may suffer great harm if falsehood and evil are not put away. As
such, the Bible mentions contention between members, disor-
derly conduct, divisiveness, false teachings, and gross sins.
Among these the apostle Paul lists immorality, covetousness,
idolatry, abusive speech, drunkenness, swindling.
Among the forms of discipline the Scripture mentions: warn-
ing, admonition, and rebuke (1 Thess. 5:12,14); withholding the
full rights and privileges of church members (2 Thess. 3:6-16);
still counting the offender as a brother but forbidding him to
hold certain offices or to represent the church publicly; and, as
a last resort, disfellowshiping. (See 1 Tim. 1:20; Matt. 18:17.)
What will be the effect of successful discipline? 2 Tim. 2:25,
26.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the relationship between discipline and love? (See Prov. 3:12; Heb. 12:6.)
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 7, pp. 260-264.
86 Church Order and Organization LESSON 10 ❑ Friday September 2
Part 6 Three main types of church government exist in modern
CHURCH Christianity: GOVERNMENT 1. Presbyterian. The name comes from the Greek word for
elder. Thus a church with a presbyterian government is one
governed by elders. The elders are of two kinds—ruling elders
who are laymen, and teaching elders who are ministers. Four
groups of elders make up the system—the session, the presby-
tery, the synod, and the general assembly.
2. Episcopal. There are three orders of ministry: bishops,
priests (elders, ministers), and deacons. The right to consecrate
other bishops and to ordain priests and deacons belong to the
bishop only. This provides for a succession of bishops and their
authority over the priests (ministers, elders), and deacons, and
thereby their rulership over the whole church. The papal system
adds a pope who is over all the bishops.
3.Congregational. Here the authority of the church resides in
each local church as an independent unit with no person or
organization above it except Christ the Head. Ministers and
other elected church officers represent functions of the priest-
hood of all believers, based on these people's special calling,
gifts, and training.
Each of these three systems has some roots in the New Tes-
tament. The episcopal form goes back to the special power and
authority given to the apostles (Matt. 10:40; 18:18); the pres-
byterian, to the equality of the elders, or bishops (Acts 20:28;
1 Tim. 3:1-7; 5:17; etc.) and the concept of the gifts mentioned in
Ephesians 4:7-16; while the congregational form grows out of
the biblical notion of the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9)
and the concept of the church as a "charismatic movement."
In light of the essence and nature of the church, each of these
principles stands in need of being balanced, complemented,
and corrected by the others. A system of government stands
constantly in need of becoming corrected by the other princi-
ples given in the New Testament. This means that every church
order must be both constant and flexible in its structure, defi-
nite and at the same time always open to correction and refor-
mation.
THINK IT THROUGH How do you think the Seventh-day Adventist system of church government compares with these New Testament principles?
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 3, pp. 428-430; The Desire of Ages, p. 680.
87
LESSON 11 September 4-10
The Church "The world hath hated them, Ever since the church came into because they are not of the world, existence, it has faced the tension even as I am not of the world. 1 pray between God's call to come out of the not thattbou.sho.uWesttokptbs. e of the world, but that thou shouldest the world. This tension is inherent in keep them from the evil" (John 17:14,15). the nature of the church, which on the
Being "in the world but not of it" means sharing the rich counsels
God has given, meeting human needs with compassion.
one hand is called God’s temple and but to save it (John 3:16, 17); God has holy nation, and on the other hand the reconciled the world unto Himself (2 salt of the earth and the yeast that Cor. 5:19, 20), and therefore He sends 1 e. leavens the world. Ttwlmittava….. xtv His church into the world in the same ay-as-Cluist-was.4outia10.the-workku.s tried to solve this tension either by (John 17:18). He became as one of us, stressing the church’s separation and so that we might become what He isolation from the world or by was: the image of God. As Christ emphasizing the church’s solidarity identified Himself with the world and and identification with the world. Both became one with us sinners, yet Ittrtfrettrurch thinking, and both offer certain should also be identified with the guidelines for Christian living. But world, yet without partaking in its sin. both attitudes also suffer from a To that end Jesus prayed, ntt to take terrible misunderstandin which leads His church out of the world, but to to a distortion of the, icalsoncept - pc, n17:1;. of the role of the church in the world. White continuously urges t e church The first attitude fails to understand to “stand out separate and distinct that the church exists not only for from the world”—Testimonies, vol. 6, itself, but also for the sake of the p. 437. At the same time she calls world. It should be holy and pure, on God’s people “not to isolate ‘ not for its own sake, but to become a Counsels to Teachers, p. 323. better instrument in God’s hand to The withdrawal of the ancient Jews save the world and be a model of what from the world prevented them from God wants all humans to be. The doing God’s work. God “will finally second attitude tends tour b t e reat , a
is inc ion • etween t e c urc earth today" (Prophets and Kgrgs, and the world. It is as the Bible p. 713) what Israel failed to do. says: "If the salt have lost his savour, Therefore the responsibility rests on wherewith shall it be salted? it us both to separate from the sin of the is thenceforth good for nothing, world, and to car the gospel to the
LioJaecastokuanck. trodden under foot of men" (Matt. 5:13). DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
What, then, is the relationship 1. The World (John 3:17)
between the church and the world? If 2. Into All the World
neither just sepa. ration and distance o n 17:181_ "ÌIiti-m-Me-world, ust'`gaitrarityTrFd . In t e orld; t- 0
with the world, are the 15:18, 19)
solution to the tension the believers 4. Church and State (Matt.
face, then what is the biblical answer? 22:21)
The New Testament does not try to 5. Church and Sodety nature of the church. It stresses the 6. The Church as the one as well as the other, separation as Firstfruits (Rev. 14:4, 5) well as solidarity. It urges those who are united with Christ not to pattern themselves
• after the models and ideas
. . But this should not lead to a seclusion from the world. For the church exists for the sake of the world. It is because God loves the world that He sent His
a .4 0 a la
The Church and the World LESSON 11 ❑ Sunday Septemer 4
Part 1 "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
THE WORLD but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17).
In the New Testament the four Greek words which are trans-
lated as "world" have at least six different meanings and many
more different shades of meaning. Which meaning is intended
can be determined only by the context in which the words occur
and by comparison with other passages of Scripture. For an
understanding of the church's relation to the world it is impera-
tive, therefore, that we first understand the biblical meanings of
the term "world." The most important ones are: (1) God's crea-
tion, the earth, its people and their activities, such as in Acts
17:24; Matt. 24:21; Heb. 11:3; (2) the people on earth, of all times
and places, who are the object of God's love, as in John 1:29;
3:16, 17; 2 Cor. 5:19; (3) hypocritical people who have rejected
Jesus but appear religious: John 15:18-21; (4) human thoughts
and activities that. are not in harmony with the purposes and
laws of God's kingdom: Rom. 12:2; 1 Cor. 1:20; (5) the geo-
graphical earth; Mark 16:15; Matt. 26:13; (6) ideas, concepts,
and activities related to our human condition. In this last sense,
for instance, Jesus was in the world (John 1:10; 17:13; 1 Tim.
1:15), sharing our flesh and blood, and participating in the
world's economic and social activities, culture, and way of life.
/t is important to notice that the meaning of the term "world"
in the New Testament is determined by its relationship to Jesus
Christ. The discussion on the relationship of the church to the
world, therefore, should not be guided by what social scientists
or our cultural or religious traditions understand by the term
"world," but by its New Testament meaning.
THINK IT THROUGH Compare the meaning of the word “world” in the New Tes- tament with the way we generally use it in the church or in our society.
For the sake of the work of God it is imperative that we see
what relationship ideally exists between the church and the
world. The standard by which we may make that distinction is
the person and the work of Jesus Christ.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 124-133.
90 The Church and the World LESSON 11 ❑ Monday September 5
Part 2 "As thou hest sent me into the world, even so have I also
INTO ALL sent them into the world" (John 17:18).
THE WORLD
For what purpose did Christ come into the world? John 3:16,
17; 18:37; 1 John 3:8.
Christ came to establish the kingdom of God. He came to
vindicate the name of God, to reveal His true character and what
the foundations of His kingdom are: love, in which are freedom
and obedience, mercy and justice. Christ came to unmask the
devil, to destroy his works, and to defeat him. In Christ's suffer-
ing and death the true nature of sin became manifest, but also
God's love for the world and the way to eternal life, joy, and
peace. When this message of the kingdom will have been
preached in all the world, the end will come (Matt. 24:14).
For What purpose did Christ send His church into the world?
Matt. 28:18-20; Rev. 14:6, 7.
How comprehensive is the object of the mission Christ has
given His church? Mark 16:15.
In the Scriptures, the world is not in the first place areas and
places. It stands for the people of the world and their activities,
ideas, and thoughts. The task of the church, therefore, is not
accomplished by its mere presence in all the countries or areas
or places of the world, but by its contact with all the people, by
penetrating their activities, and by influencing their thoughts
and ideas. Though the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been
planted in nearly 95 percent of the countries of the world, there
are some two billion people who have never even heard the
gospel of Jesus Christ. Another billion people, perhaps, have
never heard the three angels' messages with clarity. Not until
"all the world"—that is, the poor and the rich, the educated and
the uneducated, the Hindu and the Buddhist, the Muslim and
the ones who are "born" Christians, the secularist and the
communist, the Westerner and the Easterner, people of all
races, languages, cultures, nations—will have heard the mes-
sage of the kingdom with clarity, will the work of Christ in the
world be accomplished.
THINK IT THROUGH How can the church accomplish its mission in the world in this generation?
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 27-32.
91
The Church and the World LESSON 11 ❑ Tuesday September 6
Part 3 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it
IN THE hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his
WORLD, BUT— own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen
you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John
15:18, 19).
For what does the Christian suffer in the world? 1 Peter
2:19-25.
The world hated Christ not just because He was different, but
because His difference exposed them as liars and hypocrites.
This included pious and religious people who stood con-
demned in the light of Jesus' whole life and work and words. It is
because Jesus spoke "openly to the world" (John 18:20) that
the world hated Him, persecuted Him, and finally murdered
Him. The people could not stand having a holy person in their
midst. It made them uncomfortable and uneasy. This is true also
concerning the followers of Jesus Christ. The more they imitate
their Lord's example, the more they will draw the ire and perse-
cution of the world, especially of the religious leaders. If a
church is really active and the members live a life of purity and
honesty, the world around them will feel condemned for living
in sin. The Christians will be hated and despised just as Jesus
was.
Sometimes government authorities will try to force Christians
to give up their faith and persecute the church because it is felt
to be a threat to the unity of the country or to the principles upon
which the nation is founded. Sometimes suffering and persecu-
tion come from unbelieving, secular people, in the form of
ridicule and boycott, because their social life is affected or their
commercial interests are threatened. Worst of all, though, is the
suffering caused by "worldlings" who claim to be believers
themselves, even teachers or leaders.
THINK IT THROUGH What may be wrong when the world likes and praises a church?
"The apostle Paul declares that 'all that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.' 2 Timothy 3:12. Why is it,
then, that persecution seems in a great degree to slumber? The
only reason is that the church has conformed to the world's
standard and therefore awakens no opposition. . . . It is only
because of the spirit of compromise with sin, because the great
truths of the word of God are so indifferently regarded, because
there is so little vital godliness in the church, that Christianity is
apparently so popular with the world."—The Great Con-
troversy, p. 48.
FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 39-48
92 The Church and the World LESSON 11 ❑ Wednesday September 7
Part 4 "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are
CHURCH Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (Matt. 22:
AND STATE 21).
As followers of Jesus Christ, the church seeks no earthly
power. That would be a denial of its very nature. The church's
involvement in government affairs would detract from its own
particular work and calling; it would also deny Christ's very own
life and ministry. Governmental oppression and intolerance of
religion are the inevitable result. This does not mean that
church and state are not related. For the Head of the church is
also the Lord of lords and King of kings. (See Rom. 13:1-4.)
Because of the role governments have in the economy of God,
Christians are urged to "pay tax and toll, reverence and re-
spect" (Rom. 13:7, NEB), obedience and honor to the au-
thorities in power. (See also 1 Peter 2:16, 17.)
What are some possible points of conflict between church
and state? Acts 5:27-33.
Ideally, there should be no conflict. But governments are not
always willing instruments of God. As a result, laws may be
passed, decrees given, institutions established, which conflict
with the very nature and goals of the church. When that hap-
pens, the church has no other choice but to "obey God rather
than men."
Another area of possible conflict arises from the church's use
of instruments for the accomplishment of its mission. Many of
these instruments fall under the proper jurisdiction of the state,
or are claimed to be the sole prerogative of the government.
Notable examples are schools and educational programs, med-
ical facilities and health programs, radio and television, land
and other properties.
THINK IT THROUGH Since points of conflict seem to be unavoidable, what would be the best relationship between church and state?
1. Separate the activities and duties of the state from those of
the church, and recognize and respect each other's sole author-
ity in its own sphere and domain.
2. Where cooperation seems necessary because of mutual
concerns such as in education, medical institutions, properties,
etc., respect for each other and recognition of each other's
rights and duties should be a guide to settle possible conflicts.
Without compromising its obedience to God , the church should
always recognize that it is called to be a servant of all men, and
that the example of its Lord and Master demands that it subor-
dinate itself, choosing suffering rather than force.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 239-244.
93
The Church and the World LESSON 11 ❑ Thursday September 8
Part 5 "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means
CHURCH save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake" (1 Cor. 9:22,
AND SOCIETY 23).
The church, like its Head and Founder, has clearly two dimen-
sions: a human and a divine. Though distinguishable, these two
are inseparable. On the one hand, the church is absolute and
unchangeable, the same forever; on the other hand, it is open to
influence from its surroundings.
As a divine institution, the church stands over and above all
culture and society. It must warn people of the evil trends in a
given society and their effects on people's relationship to Christ
and to one another—for instance: smoking, gambling, the use
of alcohol, drug abuse, the degrading influence of certain films
and television programs, etc.
As a human institution the church must adapt itself, where not
contrary to principle, to the cultural practices and the structures
of the society from which its members come. (See 1 Cor. 9:19.)
What principles should guide the church in Its relation to
culture and society? 1 Cor. 9:19-23. (See also Phil. 2:5-8.)
As Christ, the Son of God, became as one of us, taking upon
Himself the human form after thousands of years of sin, so also
is the church called to identify itself with people of every race,
society, language, nation, culture, political or economic sys-
tem, philosophical or religious orientation. Though clearly dis-
tinct from all cultures and societies in love and holiness the
church must at the same time identify itself in appropriate ways
with all people.
THINK IT THROUGH How will this understanding of the role of the church In society affect its life and work in its universal expansion?
"The varying circumstances taking place in our world call for
labor which will meet these peculiar developments."— Manu-
script 8a, 1888.
"He reached the hearts of the people by going among them as
one who desired their good. . . . He met them at their daily
vocations, and manifested an interest in their secular
affairs."—The Desire of Ages, p. 151.
"The apostle [Paul] varied his manner of labor, shaping his
message to the circumstances under which he was placed....
" ... Tact and good judgment increase the usefulness of the
laborer a hundred-fold. If he will speak the right words at the
right time, and show the right spirit, this will exert a melting
power on the heart of the one he is trying to help."— Gospel
Workers, pp. 118, 119.
FURTHER STUDY Gospel Workers, pp. 117-119.
94 The Church and the World LESSON 11 ❑ Friday September 9
Part 6 "These were redeemed from among men, being the THE CHURCH AS firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was THE FIRSTFRUITS found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of
God" (Rev. 14:4, 5).
The church is God's chosen agency to fulfill HiS mission of
redemption and judgment in the world. It does so through the
proclamation of the gospel, verbally and in service, care, char-
ity, fellowship, and community. However, the church can ac-
complish its function of proclamation only to the extent that it
truly is a model of what God wants all people to be.
What biblical image expresses this dual role of the church
as model and servant of all humanity? James 1:18; Rev. 14:4.
In the Old Testament the firstfruits are considered a special
gift to God and as a pledge from God of an abundant crop. This
precious gift was returned to God as a token of gratitude, in
recognition of man's total dependence and indebtedness to
God. This concept played a central role in Israel's national
festivals and religious rituals. God's people are His firstfruits
(Rev. 14:4, 5). They are one with humanity, but separated for
God. They are the promise of a large crop, as well as God's own
chosen and precious few.
In what way only can the church fulfill its role as the
firstfruits of all humanity? Col. 3:1-4.
The full harvest has been delayed not because of the enmity 6f
the world against God and His chosen people; it is not a result of
a lack of care on the part of the husbandman; it is the disobedi-
ence of God's own people who have failed to live up fully to their
calling to be God's firstfruits.
THINK IT THROUGH When will the church on earth reach the stage where God wants it to be? How?
"Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in
giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this,
have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their
welcome into the city of God."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 450
(1900).
"We may have to remain here in this world because of insub-
ordination many more years, as did the children of Israel; but for
Christ's sake, His people should not add sin to sin by charging
God with the consequence of their own wrong course of
action."—Evangelism, p. 696 (Letter 184, 1901).
FURTHER STUDY Evangelism, pp. 694-696.
95
LESSON 12 September 11-17
Characteristics
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that Christ's "beloved disciple," these
fast which thou hast, that no man take messages concerning the
thy crown. Him that overcometh will I characteristics of the church come
make avalaphythetempleofemy-Godr
(Rev. 3:11, 12). church. By praise and censure,
warning and exhortation, Jesus makes
The church of God is one body that lain what His will is for His church.
extends worldwide and spans many is words come in the form of ,,„4„ges.As each local congre ation toda articular messa es to seven local .
is a mariffettaff on of the w orebocry o u7C"Wes in-tRe oman province-6r—
•Christ, though it has its own particular Asia, each of which represents also a
form and flavor, so is also the church particular period in the history of
of each particular age or generation. God's church from its beginning until
Each period in the history of the the very end of time. In their
church of God, and its marks ought to seven letters of Jesus make plain what
be the marks of the church at all times. He considers to be the marks of His
Yet at the same time it shows also own church. Seven times Jesus urges
certain trends and characteristics that everyone who hears these messages
are peculiar to the era in which it to listen to them and apply them to his
exists. Llfhiplef sirthlrentrg an own tite arlirtiffesitaarotrrcir"'
charaaeristics are found throu&hout though each message from Christ
the New Testament, especially in the applies in particular to the church in
book of Acts and in the epistles written the one location and in the particular
to the particular churches and church period of history, His revelation has at
leadprs_No_other page in_the New um vAiversaiggnificance
Testament, however, contains a more an eternal value. In His messages
detailed and comprehensive to the seven churches Jesus speaks
description of the characteristics of to the whole church, of all ages,
the true church, its life, work, and everywhere. The number seven,
needs, than the second and third which occurs repeatedl in the 111111...t
Though written by the apostle John, completeness, or wholeness.
There are two very important
reasons why the church today ought to
take these messages concerning itsry
ue nature. life. work. and needs ve_
seriously. The first is because t ese,
messages are not the words of an
ordinary human being—they are the
words of Jesus Christ Himself. This is
exactly what the church needs today: a
ieveldtimi frOTtf*bus el Hist. i
"the faithful witness, and the first
begotten of the dead, and the prince
of the kings of the earth," the One
"that loved us, and washed us from
ur s• sin is o n blood" Rev.5
He walks in the midst of His church. Rev. 6:11; 12:12.) Jesus said, “Surely I What Jesus Christ thinks of the come quickly.” May John’s response church, so is it! What He considers its to these words of Christ to His, church, true characteristics to be, that is what therefore, also be ours: “Amen. Even rii„.—nrxrporp_fla,,Iftsgt. eoui qui-levtc.” f,R„Pv The second reason is that the messages to the church are “to shew DAILY HIGHLIGHTS unto his servants things which must 1. Love (Rev. 2:4, 5) shortly come to pass” (Rev. 1:1). In 2. Suffering (Rev. 2:9) different forms this thought of the 3. Kee • ing the Truth (Rev. 2:13)
repeated over and over again. (See 5. Reality (Rev. 3:1) Rev. 1:3; 3:11; 22:6, 7, 12.) (See also 6. Opportunity (Rev. 3:8)
In every age God's people have found strength through three
things: Bible study, prayer, and sharing with others.
Characteristics of Christ’s Church LESSON 12 0Sunday September 11
Part 1 "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because
LOVE thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence
thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works" (Rev. 2:4, 5).
Ephesus was the capital city of the Roman province of Asia
and a very prosperous commercial center. It boasted a magnifi-
cent Ionic temple in honor of Diana, or Artemis, acknowledged
as one of the seven wonders of the world. The apostle Paul, on
his return from his second missionary journey, visited Ephesus
about AD 52. On his third missionary journey he spent nearly
three years there. (See Acts 19.) Upon his departure he ap-
pointed Timothy to supervise the rapidly growing work. Later he
wrote his letter to the Ephesian church, and later still his two
letters to its pastor, Timothy.
What commendation did the church in Ephesus receive
from Christ? Rev. 2:1-3, 6.
The church at Ephesus exhibited three virtues which Jesus
could commend: (1) It was a very active church, busy in the
service of God and men. (2) Patience—the believers endured
the hatred of the world, perhaps even physical violence and
abuse. (3) They staunchly defended the truth. They rejected the
teachings of so-called apostles as well as the practices of the
Nicolaitans. A splendid church, indeed! In this period from AD
31 till about AD 100 the church stood for missionary activity,
patience in suffering, and doctrinal purity.
What complaint did Jesus have? Verse 4.
Love is the first mark of a living church. Paul ended his letter
to the Ephesians with a prayer for all "who love our Lord Jesus
Christ with undying love" (Eph. 6:24, TEV). But in time their love
did die. They came to have activity, patience, and orthodoxy
without love.
"Is not this experience of the Ephesian church repeated in the
experience of the church of this generation?"—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 422.
THINK IT THROUGH How can the church today recapture their first love? (See 1 John 4:19; 2 Cor. 5:14.)
"The believers [in Ephesus] did not sense their spiritual fall.
They knew not that a change had taken place in their hearts, and
that they would have to repent because of the nonconti nuance
of their first works. But God in His mercy called for repentance,
for a return to their first love and to the works that are always the
result of true, Christlike love." —Ellen G. White Comments, SDA
Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 957.
FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, “Repentance,” pp. 31-36. 98 Characteristics of Christ’s Church LESSON 12 ❑ Monday September 12
Part 2 "I know how hard pressed you are, and poor—and yet you
SUFFERING are rich" (Rev. 2:9, NEB).
The city of Smyrna boastfully regarded itself as "the pride of
Asia." Constantly in competition with Ephesus, this port city
had an excellent natural harbor and a flourishing export trade.
Paul first visited here around AD 53 or 54.
What was the ascended Lord's message to His servants in
Smyrna? Rev. 2:8-11.
The mark of a true and living church is love. This love will
bring unavoidable suffering. No Christian should seek it, but a
church that has not lost its love for its Lord and Saviour will be
"counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41).
From about AD 100 till AD 313 Christianity was illegal, and the
believers experienced repeated periods of persecution.
What forms did the tribulation take? Rev. 2:9, 10.
Four trials are mentioned: (1) In the midst of wealthy and
prosperous Smyrna, the believers were poor. Poverty is often
part of the cost of discipleship. (2) Slander: People were spread-
ing untrue, unkind remarks behind the Christians' backs. In this
they were serving Satan, the chief slanderer and the father of
lies (Rev. 12:10; John 8:44). (3) Prison; and (4) Death: Some-
times through permissive persecution, sometimes in agressive
forms, the Roman government subjected the Christians to ar-
rests, imprisonment, and even death if they refused to recant.
Their story of suffering and firmness is illustrated by the well-
known account of Polycarp, the faithful bishop of Smyrna, who
was executed probably about AD 160. "Eighty and six years
have I served Him," the old man remarked at his trial, "and He
has done me no wrong; how then can I blaspheme my King who
saved me?" May his example guide the lives of all who believe in
Christ.
THINK IT THROUGH What comfort does Christ give to those who follow Him in suffering? (See Rev. 2:10,11.) (See also Ps. 56:3; Matt. 10:28.)
"We must share the conflicts if we wear the crown of victory.
Like Jesus, we must be made perfect through suffering. Had
Christ's life been one of ease, then might we safely yield to sloth.
Since His life was marked with continual self-denial, suffering,
and self-sacrifice, we shall make no complaint if we are partak-
ers with Him. We can walk safely in the darkest path if we have
the Light of the world for our guide."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 71.
FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 626-632.
99
Characteristics of Christ’s Church LESSON 12 ❑ Tuesday September 13
Parl 3 "You are holding fast to my cause. You did not deny your
KEEPING faith in me" (Rev. 2:13, NEB).
Jesus said to Pergamum: "I know where you live" (verse 13,
NEB). Not only does Christ know what His people are doing
(Ephesus) and what they have to endure (Smyrna) but He knows
where they are. After AD 323, when Constantine the Great con-
verted to Christianity, it became popular to be a Christian. But
the Christian church that emerged was a blend of paganism and
Christianity that in effect was "the home of Satan" (verse 13,
NEB).
What is Christ's concern for the church at Pergamum? Rev.
2:12-15.
Pergamum was the religious capital of the Roman province of
Asia. There emperor worship began. There stood the altar of
Zeus and the temple of Athena. Christ's concern for His church
in Pergamum is that it preserve and propagate the truth. In the
Bible love and truth belong together. Love becomes sentimen-
tal if it is not rooted in and strengthened by the truth; and truth
becomes hard if it is not shared in love. We need to hold the
truth in love, to love others in the truth, and to grow in love and
in discernment of truth. (See Eph. 4:15; 3 John 1; Phil. 1:9.)
Why is truth such an important mark of the church? John
14:6; 8:12, 31, 32; 18:37.
What essential truths is Christ concerned about? Rev. 2:14.
1.Doctrine. They tolerated members who held the doctrine of
Balaam. They should have upheld faith in Jesus.
2. Practice. The doctrine determines the practice. The teach-
ing of Balaam led to idolatry and fornication. The exaltation of
Jesus will lead to a holy life.
THINK IT THROUGH How is the church today threatened in its characteristic of holding fast to the truth?
"One of the landmarks under this message [teaching the truth
on the sanctuary and the three angels' messages] was the tem-
ple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the
ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the
fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of
the transgressors of God's law. The nonimmortality of the
wicked is an old landmark. I can call to mind nothing more that
can come under the head of the old landmarks. All this cry about
changing the old landmarks is all imaginary."—Counsels to
Writers and Editors, pp. 30, 31.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 504-508. 100 Characteristics of Christ’s Church LESSON 12 ❑ Wednesday September 14
Part 4 "I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest
HOLINESS that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to
teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to
eat things sacrificed unto idols" (Rev. 2:20).
The longest letter of Christ is addressed to the church in a city
that was the least important of the seven; it describes the situa-
tion of the church in a period of history that, certainly as far as
the church is concerned, was the least glorious of all eras. It was
the time of the blending of church and society into an unholy
mixture.
What commendations did Christ give His church in Thya-
tire? Rev. 2:18, 19.
The church in Thyatira had love and faith; it showed good
service and great endurance. Beyond these, the church is
characterized by spiritual growth. Ephesus was backsliding; it
had abandoned its first love. Thyatira showed a continual
growth in love and in ministry. Growing into the full stature of
Christ is indeed an experience that should characterize the
whole church of God. (See 2 Thess. 1:3.) It is as Ellen White
remarks: "God designs that Christians shall grow continually,
grow up unto the full stature of men and women in Christ. All
who do not grow stronger, and become more firmly rooted and
grounded in the truth, are continually retrograding."— Tes-
timonies, vol. 4, p. 556.
What reproof did Christ give His church at Thyatira? Rev.
2:20-23.
Ephesus lacked love, but it could not bear evil, self-styled
apostles. Thyatira had growing love, but it tolerated an evil,
self-styled prophetess. What was lacking, then, was holiness of
life, righteousness of character, which is another indispensable
mark of the true church and the real Christian. (See Titus 2:12;
1 Thess. 4:3, 7.) Where Satan cannot destroy the church by
persecution from without, he resorts to polluting the church
from within. The unholiness that subtly threatened Thyatira was
much more an unholiness of thought than of behavior, of sins
festering in their hearts than of words or deeds. To be holy, the
church must learn again to live in the presence of Christ, who
has eyes like a flame of fire and who searches mind and heart
(Rev. 2:18, 23).
THINK IT THROUGH Are there any hidden sins in my life that separate me from God?
FURTHER STUDY .The Great Controversy, pp. 470-478.
101
Characteristics of Christ’s Church LESSON 12 ❑ Thursday September 15
Part 5 "Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead" (Rev. 3:1).
REALITY
When the church at Sardis received its letter from Christ, the
city's ancient glory was gone. There coins had been invented
and used as money for the first time in history. There the fabu-
lous king Croesus had reigned amid his treasures until the city
fell to Cyrus. Over the centuries Sardis declined until in AD 17 it
was destroyed by an earthquake. Though it was rebuilt under
the emperor Tiberius, the city of Sardis was only a name, not
reality. The same was true of the church, both as a local com-
munity and as a period in the history of the church, which is the
Reformation era.
What warning does Christ give His church at Sardis? Rev.
3:1-3.
The church in Sardis lived on its reputation, but this no longer
accorded with reality. The activities carried out were routine
duties, but in the sight of God they did not fulfill His purpose or
pattern. The name of Sardis was a lie. Christ gave them a strong
rebuke. The church consisted of Christians who were such in
name only. It is a danger that the church of all ages, and
everywhere, faces after a while.
"When the Saviour pointed out to His followers the signs of
His return, He foretold the state of backsliding that would exist
just prior to His second advent. . . .
"The condition of the church at this time is pointed out in the
Saviour's words in the Revelation: 'Thou hast a name that thou
livest, and art dead.' "—The Great Controversy, pp. 309, 310.
What remedy does Christ propose? Rev. 3:2-4.
1. In every period of the history of God's church, and in all
locations, a godly remnant always remains. God calls His rem-
nant to wake up, to strengthen what remains. He calls for
revival and reformation.
2. A second remedy lies in remembering what we have re-
ceived and heard, to keep that, and to repent (verse 3).
THINK IT THROUGH What is it that the church has received and heard, and that it should keep?
"Those who have been born again remember with what joy
and gladness they received the light of heaven, and how eager
they were to tell everybody of their happiness."—Ellen G. White
Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 959.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 610, 611.
102 Characteristics of Christ’s Church LESSON 12 ❑ Friday September 16
Part 6 "I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut OPPORTUNITY it: for thou hast a little strength, and has kept my word, and
hast not denied my name" (Rev. 3:8).
While Christ's letter to Sardis contained severe censure, the
letter to Philadelphia is one of unqualified commendation. A
new opportunity was given for the church to awake, and the
remnant referred to in the Sardis period made every use of this
God-given "open door." At the end of the eighteenth century
and the beginning of the nineteenth, a real awakening took
place in the churches all over the world. There was genuine
repentance and personal victory over sin. God granted the
church an opportunity to discover anew the whole gospel, and
an open door was given for this gospel of the kingdom to be
spread rapidly in all the world.
What are the meanings of the "open door which no one can
shut"? Rev. 3:7, 8; Matt. 25:10; 1 Cor. 16:9.
The metaphor of the door is used in Scripture in two main
senses. The first is a reference to God's door of mercy; it is the
opportunity of salvation and of the open communication be-
tween Christ and man. "Let us thank God with heart and soul
and voice; and let us learn to approach unto Him as through an
open door, believing that we may come freely with our petitions,
and that He will hear and answer."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 961.
The second open door is the opportunity for mission, for
service. God called a special people into existence, not for
themselves only, but that the whole world may be saved and
come to a knowledge of truth. The church would do well to
remember that God has chosen His people to spread abroad
God's offer of salvation to all men, and that God gives His
church every opportunity to accomplish its God-given mission.
And even when tribulations will arise in the future, Christ urges
His church to avail itself of the God-given opportunity for mis-
sion, for "I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation" (Rev.
3:10). God does not spare His church from suffering, but He
always upholds His people.
If the door is the symbol of salvation, and of the church's
opportunity for service, the key is the symbol of Christ's power
and authority. Both of these "keys" Christ has given to His
church. (See Matt. 16:19; Acts 2:14-41; 8:14-17; 10:44-48.)
THINK IT THROUGH What meaning is there for me in the symbol of the open door?
FURTHER STUDY Early Writings, pp. 42-45.
103
LESSON 13 September 18-24
Jesus and His "Here is the patience of the saints: studied in last week's lesson stresses a here are they that keep the different characteristic of the people commandments of God and the faith of God everywhere and at all times.
church: love for Christ, and the Each of the six letters of Jesus we willingness to suffer for Him; truth of
The people of God, like a bride, await the soon return of the
Bridegroom in all His royal splendor.
doctrine and holiness of life; living up to His Word, and to open the door, so to its name and taking hold of each that He may come in and forever God-given opportunity to serve God fellowship with His chosen people. and humanity in mission. The seventh Amen, come Lord Jesus. (See Rev. lettetsicoK,ht-tt sp$41, ritiLa pa.rtirtaar _3•19,22: 2Z-211). • ,• desirable characteristic; it rather urges the church to make sure that it bears DAILY HIGHLIGHTS them all wholeheartedly. The church 1. Halfheartedness (Rev. 3:15) at Laodicea had notbeen infected with 2. Christ’s Advice (Rev. 3:10) the poison of any particular sin. No 3. Repentance (Rev. 3:19)
particular heresy. But though they (Rev. 3:20) know the truth and though they think 5. A Victorious Church they are rich in faith and in holiness, (Rev. 3:21) and carry out the mission of God, the 6. The Church Stands Firm people of Laodicea ar.et_S t th, (Eph. 6:10, 11) complacent. They revel in the self-conceit that they bear all these characteristics; and this delusion makes them think that they are God’s favorites. They are, indeed, God’s
given them riches that no other church has had. But in their complacency and self-glorification they forget that God has chosen them, not for their own sake, but for the sake of bringing the gospel of salvafi on to the whole world. The church of Laodicea is repeating the failure of Israel. They “cherished the idea that they were the favorites of heaven, and that they were always to hP AxaltPti the churrtLat God.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p.
- “All their advantages they appropriated for their own glorification…. They robbed God of the service He required of them, • and —th’errotbecttil * religious guidance and a holy example.”—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 14, 15. The point is that merely bearing the marks of the true church is not Printigh WP heAr them wholeheartedly! It is the boasting of the Laodicean church, the claim to be rich, to have done well, and to possess everything it wants (Rev. 3:17) that leads to sta nation in the work of God
God’s church. Pride in the true doctrines, institutionalism, reliance on organization, exclusivism, all tend to misrepresent the work of God. _Chris listen Jesus and His People LESSON 13 ❑ Sunday September 18
Part 1 "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would HALFHEARTEDNESS thou wert cold or hot" (Rev. 3:15).
Little is known about the origin of the church at Laodicea. The
apostle Paul wrote an epistle to this church which has not been
preserved unless it is the letter we know as the "Epistle to the
Ephesians." (See Col. 4:16.) This may have been a circular letter
intended for the various churches in the province of Asia, but
sent first to Laodicea. (See Col. 1:7; 2:1; 4:12-16.)
What is Christ's opinion of His last church? Rev. 3:14-16.
A lukewarm people! The words are probably an allusion to the
hot springs at nearby Hierapolis. Flowing across the plateau,
the water grew cooler; and by the time it plunged over the cliff
opposite Laodicea, it had become lukewarm. Lukewarm water
nauseates the drinker. Jesus said, "I will spue thee out of my
mouth" (Rev. 3:16). And why does Christ prefer the ice cold and
the boiling hot over the nauseating lukewarm? "It would be
more pleasing to the Lord if lukewarm professors of religion
had never named His name. They are a continual weight to
those who would be faithful followers of Jesus. They are a
stumbling block to unbelievers."—Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 188.
What diagnosis does Jesus give to His last church? Rev.
3:17.
Laodicea possessed great wealth. When in AD 60 the city
suffered destruction by earthquake, Laodiceans refused the
financial aid offered them by the Roman emperor to rebuild the
city. This pride of the citizens of Laodicea was infectious. Chris-
tians caught the plague. "We need nothing," they felt. So long
as they kept this spirit, they were, indeed, beyond help.
THINK IT THROUGH In what ways does Christ’s diagnosis apply to His church today?
"The Laodicean message applies to the people of God who
profess to believe present truth. . . . They profess to love the
truth, yet are deficient in Christian fervor and devotion. They
dare not give up wholly and run the risk of the unbeliever, yet
they are unwilling to die to self and follow out closely the
principles of their faith... .
" ... The internal work of grace is wanting in their hearts."—
Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 87, 88.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 83-87.
106 Jesus and His People LESSON 13 ❑ Monday September 19
Part 2 What advice does Christ give His church?
CHRIST'S
ADIVCE "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou
mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be
clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see"
(Rev. 3:18).
"I know all your ways," Jesus said, but "you do not know"
(verses 15, 17, NEB). To contradict the testimony of the True
Witness assures disaster.
Christ's advice fitted the real situation at Laodicea very well.
The city was famous for (1) gold handled by large banks; (2) the
manufacture of a soft and glossy black wool fabric; (3) a medical
school where physicians prepared the famous Phrygian eye
powder for the cure of eye inflammation. In contrast to these
assets Jesus called the believers wretched, poor, blind, and
naked.
What is the meaning of the gold, the white garments, and the
eyesalve? James 2:5; Gal. 5:6; 3:27; John 9:39-41; 16:8-11.
"The gold mentioned by Christ, the True Witness, which all
must have, has been shown me to be faith and love combined,
and love takes the precedence of faith."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p.
36.
"The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ that may be
wrought into the character. . . .
"The eye is the sensitive conscience, the inner light, of the
mind. Upon its correct view of things the spiritual healthfulness
of the whole soul and being depends. The 'eyesalve,' the Word
of God, makes the conscience smart under its application; for it
convicts of sin."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Com-
mentary, vol. 7, p. 965.
THINK IT THROUGH In what ways does Christ’s advice apply to me personally?
"Brethren and sisters, are your thoughts after this order?
'These sharp, decided words do not mean me; I am in a fairly
good condition spiritually, though I may not have all the fervor
and zeal that some have. I believe the truth. Those to whom this
message belongs may take it. I think some need it.' You who
think and reason thus, be assured that you are the very ones to
whom this message belongs. While the costly wares of heaven
are open before you, draw nigh and buy that which you have
lost—the gold of love and faith, and the white raiment which is
the righteousness of Ch rist."—Ell en G. White Comments, SDA
Bible Commentary, vol. 7, pp. 964, 965.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 214-216.
107
Jesus and His People LESSON 13 ❑ Tuesday September 20
Part 3 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous there-
REPENTANCE fore and repent" (Rev. 3:19).
Though the church may, in effect, have forsaken its Head and
repudiated its Founder, Jesus Himself promised, "I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5). Though the church
may have given up its love and its zeal, Christ's love is so broad,
so deep, so full, that He has reserved the most tender advice, the
greatest promise, the highest reward, for His church at
Laodicea. Why, then, do we continue to think lightly of the
riches of God's kindness, love, and mercy? Don't we know that
it is the goodness of the Lord that leads us to repentance?
(Rom. 2:4).
What does repentance mean for the church? Joel 2:13;
Mark 1:14, 15.
To praise God with our lips while our heart is far from Him is
characteristic of a lukewarm church. Repentance, in this con-
nection, means more than being sorry for one's misdeeds and
turning away from sin. It really means a change of heart!
Why is repentance such an urgent matter? Luke 13:3-5.
This message is especially relevant to the church of Laodicea.
Christ is coming. He is at the door, already knocking. Repent-
ance now means entrance into the eternal kingdom, or being
shut out from the presence of the Lord forever. Therefore, be
zealous, and repent.
THINK IT THROUGH How can the church be led to repentance?
"It is when the vital principles of the kingdom of God are lost
sight of, that ceremonies become multitudinous and extrava-
gant. It is when the character building is neglected, when the
adornment of the soul is lacking, when the simplicity of godli-
ness is despised, that pride and love of display demand magni-
ficent church edifices, splendid adornings, and imposing
ceremonials. But in all this God is not honored. He values His
church, not for its external advantages, but for the sincere piety
which distinguishes it from the world. He estimates it according
to the growth of its members in the knowledge of Christ, accord-
ing to their progress in spiritual experience. He looks for the
principles of love and goodness."—Prophets and Kings, pp.
565, 566.
FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, “Repentance,” pp. 23-30.
108 Jesus and His People LESSON 13 ❑ Wednesday September 21
Part 4 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my
CHRIST voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with
IS KNOCKING him, and he with me" (Rev. 3:20).
Christ wants to enter into a new relationship with His people,
individually, ("If any man hear my voice—") and collectively as a
church. He stands at the door of each heart and wants to be
admitted. It is a visit from the lover of our soul, so beautifully
described in the Song of Solomon:
"Hark! my beloved is knocking.
'Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect
one; .. . '
My beloved put his hand to the latch,
and my heart was thrilled within me.
I arose to open to my beloved."
Song of Solomon 5:2-5, RSV.
When this happens, the old world is gone; a new era has
begun; the believer is united with Jesus.
What happens when we open the door? Rev. 3:20.
No other image in Scripture illustrates more clearly the fel-
lowship and communion between Christ and His people than
that of partaking of food together. In traditional Eastern
societies, sharing food stands for sharing love and friendship; it
signifies reciprocity and interdependence, oneness, fellowship,
communion, equality, brotherhood, and mutuality. All of these
characteristics are implied in Christ's promise to "sit down to
supper" (NEB) with us. They are also a part of the relationship
when we celebrate the Lord's Supper.
Every time the Laodicean Church meets to partake of the
flesh and the blood of Jesus Christ, it is not only celebrating the
unity of the church with its Head, and the oneness of the mem-
bers; it is also reminded of its own condition that calls for
genuine repentance. Repentance, unity, and fellowship are a
guarantee that the church will soon celebrate the "wedding
supper of the Lamb."
THINK IT THROUGH What is preventing me from opening the door to Christ?
"Jesus is knocking through the prosperity He gives you. He
loads you with blessings to test your fidelity, that they may flow
out from you to others. Will you permit your selfishness to
triumph? Will you squander God's talents, and lose your soul
through idolatrous love of the blessings He has given?" —Ellen
G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 967.
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 141-146.
109
Jesus and His People LESSON 13 ❑ Thursday September 22
Part 5 "To him who is victorious I will grant a place on my throne,
A VICTORIOUS as I myself was victorious and sat down with my Father on his
CHURCH throne" (Rev. 3:21, NEB).
The thought of being "victorious," of "overcoming," is a
recurring theme in the book of Revelation. Glorious are the
promises to those who overcome: They shall eat from the tree of
life and shall not taste the second death; they will receive a new
name and. white garments; they will be called the sons and
daughters of God and forever be in His presence. The specific
promise given to the believers at Laodicea is that they will sit
with Christ on the throne of God.
How can the Laodicean Church become a victorious
church? Rev. 12:11.
The form of the Greek verb used in Revelation 3:21 implies
that the believers "continue to overcome," "keep on winning."
How did Jesus remain victorious while on earth? John 8:28,
29; 14:30, 31.
The Scripture tells us that we shall be conquerors in Jesus
Christ (Rom. 8:37). As He has overcome the world, so will also
His church, if it perseveres in communion with Him who has all
the power in heaven and on earth. But the faith that overcomes
the world is the faith of Jesus. It implies a relationship that Christ
had with His Father. The Bible describes that relationship as
one of wholehearted obedience and trust, complete surrender
to the will of God, and humility. Christ became victorious by
making Himself a servant of all; His glorification followed His
obedience; His exaltation was a result of His humiliation.
THINK IT THROUGH How can I be victorious through humility?
"In the kingdom of God, position is not gained through
favoritism. It is not earned, nor is it received through an arbitrary
bestowal. It is the result of character. The crown and the throne
are the tokens of a condition attained—tokens of self-conquest
through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . .
" ... The one who stands nearest to Christ will be he who has
drunk most deeply of His spirit of self-sacrificing love,—love
that 'vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, . seeketh not her
own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil' (1 Corinthians
13:4, 5),—love that moves the disciple, as it moved our Lord, to
give all, to live and labor and sacrifice even unto death, for the
saving of humanity."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 543.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 529-533.
110 Jesus and His People LESSON 13 ❑ Friday September 23 Part 6 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the THE CHURCH power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye STANDS FIRM may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:10, 11).
The church of Laodicea is the last church; it is the church at
the end of time. Knowing that his time is short, the devil un-
leashes in fury his whole array of weapons against the remnant
of God. Will the church stand firm?
How will the church stand firm amid the delusions of Satan
at the end of time? Eph. 6:10-18.
"Only those who have been diligent students of the Scrip-
tures and who have received the love of the truth will be
shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world cap-
tive. By the Bible testimony these will detect the deceiver in his
disguise. To all the testing time will come. By the sifting of
temptation the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the
people of God now so firmly established upon His word that
they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would
they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible only?"—
The Great Controversy, p. 625.
What is Christ's assurance to His church in these last days?
Matt. 28:18-20.
"Christ, the almighty Victor, holds out to His weary soldiers a
crown of immortal glory; and His voice comes from the gates
ajar: 'Lo, I am with you. Be not afraid. I am acquainted with all
your sorrows; I have borne your griefs. You are not warring
against untried enemies. I have fought the battle in your behalf,
and in My name you are more than conquerors."'—The Great
Controversy, p. 633.
THINK IT THROUGH What in particular have I heard the Spirit say to the churches?
"Christ has given to the church a sacred charge. Every
member should be a channel through which God can com-
municate to the world the treasures of His grace, the unsearch-
able riches of Christ... .
It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for,
but to hasten the coming of the Saviour.
"If the church will put on the robe of Christ's righteousness,
withdrawing from all allegiance with the world, there is before
her the dawn of a bright and glorious day. God's promise to her
will stand fast forever."—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 600, 601.
FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 601, 602.
111
Lessons for u der/1977 Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult lessons for the fourth quarter of 1977 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first two lessons. The title of the series is “The Time of the End.”
First Lesson
THE FINAL TIMES. Memory text, 1 Peter 1:10-12.
1. Time's Focus (Heb. 9:28)
2. Time's End (Matt. 24:3)
3. Expected Time (2 Thess. 2:1-4)
4. Prophetic Time (Dan. 7:25)
5. Time of the End (Dan. 11:33-35)
6. Prophecy and Time of the End (Dan. 12:4, 9)
Second Lesson
THE REMOVAL OF A SEAL. Memory text, Acts 17:30, 31.
1. End-time Judgment (Dan. 7:9, 10)
2. Angel Explanations (Dan. 8:16, 17)
3. A Trampled Sanctuary (Dan. 8:13, 14)
4. Forecasts of Messianic Mediation (Dan. 9:24)
5. Issues in the Judgment-I (Dan. 8:14)
6. Issues in the Judgment-II (Rev. 3:5)
Lessons in 3raille The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in Braille and 162/3 rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth, cannot hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.
Ellen White understood love. She wrote many love letters. Some of them hit us where it hurts. Butthey were all written in a true spirit of love. Each word is designed to help us, to bring us into closer harmony with God. Don’t leave your letters on the shelf. Read the TESTIMONIES today.
THE TESTIMONIES The 9-volume set in deluxe binding for $43.95. (Please include $2.00 for mailing.) Available at your Adventist Book Center or ABC Mailing Service, 2621 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. In Canada: P.O. Box 398, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7L5. Brought to you by Pacific Press
Thi First Sabbath Second Sabbath Third Sabbath
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Sex-en’I Sabbath Eighth Sabbath Ninth Sabbath
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Order from your local Adventist Book Center or ABC Mailing Service, P.O. Box 31776, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. In Canada, Box 398, Oshawa, Ontario L1 H 7L5. Please include State sales tax where necessary, and add 6 per cent or a minimum charge of 50 cents for mailing. AUSTRIAN UNION BULGARIAN CHURCH CZECHOSLOVAKIAN UNION FRANCO-BELGIAN UNION GERMAN DDR UNION HUNGARIAN UNION ROMANIAN UNION SOUTH GERMAN UNION SOUTHERN EUROPEAN UNION SWISS UNION WEST GERMAN UNION YUGOSLAVIAN UNION ,0. 44 Qo
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G°C‘ EURO-AFRICA DNISION Church S.S. Union. Population Churches Members Members
Angola 5.430,000 68 33.100 63,251 Austrian Churches 7,460.000 44 2,625 3,583 Bulgarian Church 8.540.000 70 2923 2.940 Czechoslovakian 14.410,000 133 7.490 10,200 Equatorial African 17,576,000 80 17,762 38,226 Franco-Belgian 61.260,000 130 7,437 7.531 German Dem. Rep. 16.951.241 314 11,175 12.858 Hungarian 10.350,000 144 5.508 5.508 Indian Ocean 9,440.000 149 9.688 12,824 Israel Mission 3,010,000 4 51 35 Mozambique 7.392.000 44 16.639 27,445 No. African Mission 35.140.000 3 25 28 AFRICA Romanian 20,470,000 520 47,130 52,857 -SGBCVM 14 824,000 8 499 585 ANGOLA UNION MISSION South German 30,460,188 218 13,274 14,792 So. European 105,210.000 147 12.721 11.370 EQUATORIAL AFRICAN UNION Swiss 6,320.000 57 4,056 3,634 West German 31,437,140 187 12.623 15,039 INDIAN OCEAN UNION Yugoslavian 20,550,000 273 10,441 10,010 MOZAMBIQUE UNION Division Totals 426,230,569 2.593 215,167 292,716 NORTH AFRICAN MISSION (Figures as of 1st quarter, 1976) Senegal-Guinea Bissau-Cape Verde Mission SENEGAL MISSION’;