Acts 20:28-31 Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers… I. THE CLAIMS OF THE CHURCH. These are founded — 1. In the language of Scripture upon the subject of the Church. The Bible ever speaks of the inward as above the outward, elevates the power of godliness above the mere form of it, and tells us of at least one who, without baptism or the Church, went into paradise. Still, the Bible has some very strong language on the subject. Take the statement of the text. Can you imagine that that for which such a price was paid, has no claim upon your allegiance? But take other testimonies (Isaiah 49:15, 16; Ephesians 1:22, 23; Ephesians 5:22-27). 2. In the relation of Christ to the Church. It is true that there is much in the Church for which Christ gave no warrant. Church vestments and ceremonies, and the minute ramifications of Church creeds, all come under this head. As upon an old vessel, so upon the Church in her navigation of the sea of Time, many barnacles have fastened, and these, so far from being a necessary part of the Church, do but oppose her power and impede her progress. But we must take Christ's idea of the Church. He called His followers out from among men into a special relationship to Himself and to each other. "One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." And by these words He constituted a Church. And this brotherhood, which He so organised in the world, He arranged to perpetuate, by inaugurating two rites, which, for all time, should separate His people from the world, and bind them together in a compact and visible body. Now the Church being Christ's own arrangement, to reject it is to reject Him. 3. In the conduct of the apostles, who, under the direction of Christ, and in possession of the Spirit, at once set up the Church and began to use it as the school, the home, the sanctuary of the disciples whom they called. That little band in the upper room was the Church. And no sooner did others, through their words, believe on Christ than they were formally added to this organisation (Acts 2:47). And when Peter went to preach to Cornelius he baptized him. The believer in Jesus he enrolled as a member of the Church. So, when Paul kneeled to Jesus, he was also baptized. And so throughout all that early period. And shall anyone in view of this fact say, "I will be a Christian outside of the Church"? The apostles knew of no such thing as a Christian willingly outside the Church. 4. In the fact that there is nothing so distinctly characteristic of the Christian life as the spirit of obedience. "What wilt Thou have me to do?" is the voice which comes out of the very essence of every Christian life. "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." And here is the duty of Church membership, about which the Bible speaks most plainly. 5. In the principle that Christ gains men through men. This is in its widest sense the ordinance of preaching. And the widest, the most continuous, and the most forcible preaching, is by example. But how can we thus testify for Christ if we refuse to place ourselves in a Christian attitude before the eyes of the world? II. THE OBJECTIONS WITH WHICH IT IS COMMON TO MEET THESE CLAIMS. 1. There are in the Church many who give no evidence of Christian character. This is sadly true. But — (1) Christ never declared that His Church was to be a perfect body, but said that the tares would grow with the wheat until harvest. (2) Because another makes a mock of duty it is no reason why you should neglect it. 2. I can live a good life outside the Church. Perhaps so. But if your hope for eternity is in Christ, then to despise the Church is to despise the blood with which it was purchased; and surely no one can do this, and, at the same time, rest upon Christ for salvation. 3. I cannot agree with all the doctrines of the Church. But no Church makes the reception of all the articles of its creed a condition of membership.. Trust in Christ for salvation and a Christian life, make up the one condition of Church membership. And what is there here which you cannot receive? 4. I am not fit to be a Church member. This — (1) May be a fact. There are those who are determined to live just as they please, without regard to Christ or conscience, and who do not care what lies beyond. Such, of course, are fit only for membership with devils. In such communion they are even now. (2) May be a plea of simulated humility in order to get rid of duty. The man says, "I am not fit," because he is not willing. (3) May be the expression of a true consciousness of imperfection. And here it is a mistake. Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners.Conclusion: 1. The amazing character of men's indifference here. Christ says, "Behold My Church, for which I gave My blood!" And men pass the Church by without notice. 2. These are words of invitation. Again the Church, through the blood by which she has been purchased, speaks unto you, asking for your attention, for your allegiance. What shall be your answer? (S. S. Mitchell, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. |
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