Lesson #12 --
Section #1 -- THE HOUSE OF CHRIST
p 61 -- Hebrews 3:5-6 -- Moses verily was faithful in all his house, ... But Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Note - Elsewhere in the New Testament, the "house of Christ" is spoken of as "the household of faith," (Galatians 6:10) and "the household of God ... built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:19-20)
Ephesians 2:12-13 -- Ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, ... but now in Christ Jesus ye who were sometimes far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Note - In these verses. Paul is writing to Gentile converts (2:11) and indicating that when they accepted Christ, they became a part of the Commonwealth of Israel, in Christ, they became Abraham's seed and heirs of the promise given to Abraham. (Galatians 3:29) Further, Paul declared that a real "Jew" was one whose circumcision was "that of the heart, in the spirit." (Romans 2:29) And again, he indicated that mere lineal descent from Abraham did not count in regard to "the house of Christ" but "the children of the promise are counted for the seed." (Romans 9:7-8) In the New Testament, there is a "new" Israel developing - "the Israel of God." (Galatians 6:15-16)
The Gentiles were called out of pagan rites and "bondage" to the "weak and beggarly elements" of this world. (Galatians 4:3, 9) The Jews of the flesh and proselytes were called out of "the house of Moses" into "the house of Christ." This "new" Israel is called the ekklesia - or the "called out" ones. In the LXX, this word was also used to describe the "assembly" of Israel for religious purposes. (Deuteronomy 31:30) Stephen in his address before the Jewish Sanhedrin referred to the assembly of Israel at Mount Sinai as "the church in the wilderness." (Acts 7:38) Thus in the formation of the "church" or "the house of Christ" under the Now Covenant, it was Christ's objective to "reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross." (Ephesians 2:16)
Hebrews 12:22-23 -- Ye are come unto mount Sion, ... the heavenly Jerusalem, ... to the church of the first born, which are written in heaven.
Note - Paul wrote that the Jerusalem that then was, was in bondage with her children, but that the New Jerusalem which was above, "is free, which is the mother of us all." (Galatians 4:25, 26) This is the new mother into whom we are called, It is the true "mother" church. With its registry in heaven, it assembles upon earth in different places. The revelation in the New Testament is that the visible church met primarily in homes, Aquila and Pricilla had a church in their house. (Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19) One, Nymphas, as well as Philemon, had churches in their homes. ( Colossians 4:15: Philemon 2) It appears in Epheses, when Paul was no longer permitted to speak in the synagogue, he "separated the disciples" and these met in the assembly room of "the school of Tyrannus." (Acts 19:9) It must not be forgotten that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place in an "upper room" where the followers of Christ assembled. (Acts 1:13) The meeting place for the church at Troas must have been a similar room. (Acts 20:9)
I Timothy 3:15 -- The house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and the ground of the truth.
Note - The supreme purpose of the church is to be the pillar of the truth as it is in Jesus. (Ephesians 4:21 ) Since Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), His church, His house - the "new" Israel of God - will reflect that way, that truth, and that life. To depart from truth is to apostatize from Christ, and this in turn necessitates a separation from assemblies where apostasy is taught, even as Paul "separated the disciples" in Ephesus from the apostate synagogue worship.
Section #2 -- ENTRANCE INTO THE HOUSE
p 62 -- I Corinthians 12:13 -- For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.
Galatians 3:27 -- For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Note - Baptism, by water and the Spirit, is the door into the House or Church of Christ. This experience, if genuine, usually occurs at the same time, as in the case of Jesus at His baptism.
Matthew 3:13-17 -- Then cometh Jesus unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade Him . . .And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness ... And Jesus, when He was baptized went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending ... upon Him.
Note - There are three points in this account of the baptism of Jesus we need to Note: 1) Immediately following His baptism by water, as He prayed on the bank of the Jordan (Luke 3:21), the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus. 2) In this single operation, "all righteousness" was fulfilled. Jesus, in setting before man an example, showed that by water the sins of the past were figuratively washed away, and that for the future a man was to receive the Holy Spirit as a guide into all the paths of righteousness. What more is required? 3) Jesus declared - "It behoveth us to fulfill all righteousness." The symbolism and significance of baptism is not complete unless we understand the place of the one performing the ceremony, as it relates to the one being baptized. This last concept will be better understood as we study the next text.
Romans 6:3-5 -- Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Note - In baptism, we are to be planted together in the likeness of the death of Jesus. Baptism is a burial, and a resurrection in symbolism. In this symbolism, two persons are required, even as Jesus told John - "It becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." The candidate yields himself into the hands of the attendant, even as Christ yielded Himself unto the Father; and then as God called Jesus forth from the tomb, so the attendant lifts the candidate from the watery grave to walk in newness of life. That walk is not to be by our power, but by the power of the Spirit of God. Any form of baptism which destroys this portrayal fails to set forth the true meaning of this rite given to us by Jesus. (sprinkling, infant baptism, etc.)
Acts 8:36-38 -- The eunuch said, See here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest ... And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Note - In this baptism, we have the details Note - d carefully. First, there was the desire on the part of the candidate. Secondly, a knowledge of Scripture that produced an intelligent surrender of the whole life; and thirdly, a confession of that belief. This was followed by baptism in which both went down into the water.
Section #3 -- THE CEREMONIES OF THE HOUSE
p 63 -- John 13:3-5, 12-17 -- Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands ... He riseth from supper ... took a towel and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet ... So after He washed their feet ... He said unto them, Know ye what I have done unto you? ... If I then, your Lord and Master have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Note - The service of humility precedes the communion service. Jesus arose from the passover supper (John 13:1), and performed the duty of a servant. He states that in so doing, He has given us an example. In the process of washing the disciples feet, Jesus told Peter, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me." (John 13:8) It is in the communion of the bread and the wine that we partake of Christ's body and life. If not preceded by this ceremony, the other is taken in vain - "Thou hast no part with Me."
I Corinthians 11:23-29 -- For I have received of the Lord ... that the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take eat: this is my body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup ... saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, -in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew forth the Lord's death till He come.
Note - There is no time set for the frequency of this service. The injunction is "as often as ye" do it. The Communion service took the place of the passover, which was celebrated once a year. While the service may be celebrated more often, none should neglect participating at least once a year in a renewal of his covenant with God.
Section #4 -- THE SUPPORT OF FAITHFUL HOUSEHOLD SERVANTS
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 -- Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple ... Even So hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Note - Paul here draws a comparison between the support of the ministers in the house of Moses, and those who preach the good news of the House of Christ. He declares that the Lord has ordained the same method of support. Those who share spiritual blessings in return receive back physical benefits from those thus blessed.
Leviticus 27: 30 -- And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord.
Numbers 18:21 -- I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel ... for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Note - The tithe is "holy unto the Lord." It was designated for the ministry of those who served in the tabernacle of the congregation. This included the Levite who cleaned the court to the High Priest who could enter the Most Holy Place. All full time service for the Lord was to be remunerated from the tithe. This is the example cited by Paul for service rendered in the house of Christ. The tithe is to cover the proclamation of the gospel, and those who proclaim it.
p 64 -- Malachi 3:8-10 -- Will a man rob God? Ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithe and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed Me ... Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing.
Note - The objective in bringing the tithe "into the storehouse" is that "there may be meat [food] in mine house." This is not merely to provide food for those who minister in sacred things, but the ministers are to bring forth from the Word of God, that which is food for the souls of those to whom they minister. Beyond the tithe are also offerings from the nine-tenths which God permits us to call our own. We pay our tithe because we owe this. But we give our offerings which reflect our appreciation of what He so willingly provided for us in the sacrifice of the Cross of Calvary.
Matthew 24:45-46 -- Who then is a faithful and wise servant ... over his[lord's] household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord ... shall find so doing.
Note - It would be sheer folly to place one's tithe toward the support of those servants who feed the house of Christ contaminated [apostate] food. Then there are professed servants who serve the household food which appears appetizing but devoid of the nutriments of eternal life. To furnish tithe for this kind of food would be equally as dangerous. We, individually, have a responsibility to see that our tithe and offerings support that which is "meat in due season."
Section #5 -- MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF CHRIST
Revelation 14:12 -- Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Note - We have heard the expression -"the communion of saints," or the fellowship of the household of God. Here in the book of Revelation we have revealed the characteristics of the saints who compose "the house of Christ" or His body. They keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. It was Jesus who proclaimed the Law of the Council of God from Mount Sinai. It was Jesus who came and lived the life of God before men. He manifested a living faith, that though He had accepted the weaknesses and nature of fallen humanity, God was able to keep Him from falling. This same allegiance to God, and faith in Him will be manifest by His "saints" as they partake of the Bread of Heaven sent forth to feed the needs of mankind.
2 John 9 -- Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
John 10:16 -- Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Note - The doctrine or teaching of Christ - the voice of Jesus - brings unity to the household of faith. By abiding in the doctrine of Christ, we have both the Father and the Son, which Jesus declared to be life eternal. (John 17:3)
p 65 -- Lesson #12 -- QUIZ
1. -- The Bible speaks of two houses, the house of ____ and the house of ____.
2. -- In the New Testament the church is spoken of as the household of ____; the ____ of Israel; and the body of ____.
3. -- The Church is to be the ____ and the ____ of the truth.
4. -- The apostolic church met in ____, and in ____ rooms. They cared little for this world, because their names were ____ in ____.
5. -- The entrance into the house of Christ is by ____ in the ____ and in the ____.
6. -- Baptism, properly conducted, represents the ____, ____, and ____ - ____ of Jesus Christ.
7. -- The ceremonies of the Church which relate to the communion service are three: the service of ____; the communion of the _____, and the communion of the ____.
8. -- The Divine basis for the support of the ministry of the house of Christ is through ____ and offerings. The tithe is ____ unto the Lord, and represents one ____ of our increase. To default in our tithes brings a ____ but to pay our tithes and offerings brings a ____.
9. -- The purpose of the tithe is to provide ____ for the household of God. Faithful servants provide "meat in ____ _____ " for the members of God's household.
10. -- To have the doctrine of Christ is to have both the ____ and the ____.
11. -- The marks of the saints who compose the true house of Christ are: 1) They keep the ____ of God, and 2), They keep the ___ of Jesus.12. -- Unity will be achieved among the professed people of God, when each and all are willing to ____ the ____ of Jesus.
Quiz Answers --
(1) Moses, Christ. (2) God (faith), commonwealth, Christ. (3) pillar, ground. (4) homes, upper, written, heaven. (5) baptism, water, Spirit. (6) death, burial, resurrection. (7) humility, bread, wine. (8) tithes, holy, tenth, curse, blessing. (9) meat (food), due, season. (10) Father, Son. (11) commandments, faith. (12) hear, voice.