What Is The Assembly?--Part 4

“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church [assembly]; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:18-19 NASB Update).

The unity of the body of Christ in eternity is the goal for which the local aspect of the assembly strives in time (Eph. 4:4-6). That is why the terms body and assembly are not used synonymously. In reference to the assembly, body is always singular when used in the New Testament, and assembly is used both in the singular and in the plural forms. They differ in both nature and formation. By nature, the body is a spiritual organism, and the assembly is an organized institution. Furthermore, the body is passive in regeneration, and the assembly is formed by the active consent of the regenerated. Scripture settles every dispute. In regeneration, the sinner is passive: “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8 NASB). In conversion, which is the result of regeneration, the person proves by his life that he has been made a new creature in Christ (II Cor. 5:17). “And when he [Paul] had come to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple” (Acts 9:26 NASB).

The value of both the invisible and visible aspects of the assembly is evident. The invisible is a defense against institutional salvation. It protects the basic truth of union with Christ and guards against institutional idolatry. Where the visible assembly is stressed by some as a depository of grace, Christ is ignored as being the source of grace. The visible exists for the sake of the invisible because the invisible finds expression in the visible, as the soul of man does through the body. The visible is to strive to be ideally what the invisible is really. Therefore, the invisible is the vital principle; the visible is the assembly presented in testimony. Although Jesus Christ was cast out of the world nearly 2,000 years ago, He has a place in His assembly on the earth during this age of the assembly. In Christ’s second reference to His assembly, He said, “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst” (Matt. 18:19, 20 NASB).

Christ was not only given to be head over all things to the assembly, but the assembly was given to Christ. Paul said, “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church [assembly], which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:22, 23 NASB). Paul also said, “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church [assembly], He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church [assembly] is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church [assembly] and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church [assembly] in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church [assembly], because we are members of His body. FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church [assembly]. Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband” (Eph. 5:22-33 NASB).

The same principles typified by Adam and Eve are seen operating between Christ and His assembly. The following are comparisons between Eve and the assembly: (1) The creation and purpose of both were to be brides. (2) The institution by which man and woman and Christ and His assembly are made one is in marriage. (3) As the woman is betrothed to man, Christians are betrothed to Christ. Therefore, as soon as the Divine declaration was made that Adam should not be alone, we are told about the Divine operation (Gen. 2:18, 21, 22). From a rib, God made woman. The Divine presentation came when the Lord God brought the woman to the man and they became one flesh. The woman became the completion of the man. Completion works both ways, woman’s fulfillment as well as the man’s.

As soon as the assembly was announced, the foundation upon which she is continuing to be built was proclaimed. Christ said, “And I also say to you that you are Peter [Petros, nominative, masculine, singular of petros, meaning a rock or stone], and upon this rock [petra, locative, singular, feminine of petra, a massive rock or stone] I will build [oikodomeso, progressive future, active, indicative, first person, singular of oikodomeo, which means to build up or complete] My church [assembly]…” (Matt. 16:18 NASB). The best distinction of the difference between Petros and petra is the difference between a small rock and the Rock of Gibraltar. When reference is made to the Rock of Gibraltar, one thinks of strength and endurance that can be relied on. Therefore, no amount of debate can make Peter (a small rock) the foundation of the assembly, as Roman Catholics teach. Jerome (340-420 A.D.), the chief preparer of the Vulgate version of the Bible, said, “Christ has founded His church on this rock, and it is from this rock that the apostle Peter has been named.” I am sure that Jerome knows better now; but the word petra, which is found fifteen times in the New Testament, is never used when speaking of Peter.

It is important to observe that the Greek noun Petros is masculine gender and petra is feminine gender. The feminine term indicates what made Peter a rock. That was, of course, not his confession, but the Divine revelation from which that confession originated. The revelation was directly from God the Father. Subsequent to Peter’s confession, “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16 NASB), Christ said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 16:17 NASB). That revelation, however, was not intended for Peter alone. All the elect of God given to Christ share in it, and due to this revelation, all confess Peter’s confession.

There are three major opinions concerning the statement “I also say to you that you are Peter…” (Matt. 16:18 NASB). One makes it Peter himself, but this is questioned by some who say Peter could not be the rock of the church, because he is called “Satan” (Matt. 16:21-23). Another view makes the rock Peter’s confession. They say Peter’s confession rested on the Person of Christ as its foundation. The third view shows the difference between Peter (rock) and Christ’s own Person as the Massive Living Rock.

Paul demonstrated to the Corinthians that they were following the same mistakes the Israelites made. God’s people should learn and then live, not live and learn. Revelation is given to save saints the bitter expense of some experiences. The Bible is the Book filled with the wisdom of yesterday. Therefore, Paul said to the Corinthians, “For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved. And do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY. Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (I Cor. 10:1-14 NASB). Note that John closes his First Epistle with similar words: “Little children, guard yourselves from idols” (I John 5:21 NASB).

The apostle Paul appeals to the experiences of the fathers. In the first part of I Corinthians 10, the apostle revealed their indulgence of liberty which impaired and impeded Israel’s spiritual progress. In the last part of the chapter, their indulgence may be a reactionary example that will harm others. Therefore, in I Corinthians 10, the important thing to see is that Jesus Christ is the eternal Rock of God’s covenant of grace (Heb. 13:20, 21). The Christian life is never represented as an ever ascending scale, because it will always appear as a zigzag line, indicating our falling and rising again. The Psalmist said, “Thou hast placed our iniquities before Thee, Our secret sins in the light of Thy presence” (Ps. 90:8 NASB). “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way” (Ps. 139:23, 24 NASB). God’s people are continually warned against temptation to evil.

The statement “the Rock was Christ [the Messiah]” (I Cor. 10:4 NASB) stands out in Holy Scripture like the Rock of Gibraltar does when compared with a rock pebble the size of a marble. Peter (Petros) is not the Massive Living Rock, Jesus Christ; but he is one of the sheep for whom Jesus Christ came into this sinful world. “One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon, and said to him, We have found the Messiah (which translated means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas (which translated means Peter [petros, a rock])” (John 1:40-42 NASB). Christ told Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s” (Matt. 16:23 NASB). There is no doubt that Peter thought his marble-size rock dropped to the size of a grain of sand.

A repentant spirit occurs in Christ’s sheep who have been born of God because the sheep recognize His Headship when they are corrected. As Head of His assembly, Christ has the sole right to give laws and institute ordinances for the called-out ones to observe. His will is the supreme guide of His people. His word is their code of laws. His glory is their ultimate end. Hence, no human hierarchy has any jurisdiction over the called-out ones by grace.

Local assembly authority is neither self-created nor self-assumed. It is derived from the Head of each assembly. Those who administer such authority are to be governed by the instruction of their Head, Jesus Christ. Members of each local assembly have no right to make laws of their own. Furthermore, they must never speak or act arbitrarily.

Every Christian’s motto (guiding principle) should be, “…let God be found true, though every man be found a liar…” (Rom. 3:4 NASB). Does God act arbitrarily? God’s laws are above all other laws. God’s laws are not subject to any laws higher than His laws because no man-made laws will ever exceed God’s laws. The reason is very simple. Isaiah said, “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Is. 55:7-9 NASB).