Assembly Versus Kingdom--Part 2

The visible aspect of the assembly is not the reality of the assembly any more than our understanding, experience, and interpretation of God’s love is the perfect reality of God’s love. Thus, the visible aspect of the assembly is not swallowed up in the invisible, and the invisible is not swallowed up in the visible.

Surely, no one would be foolish enough to say Christ’s Divine nature was swallowed up by His human nature. It has been said that we are already becoming what we are becoming, and still, we are as yet becoming what we really are. Therefore, God’s “assembly” and “many assemblies” does not mean a dual actuality. The unity of Christ’s assembly, which is His body, cannot be affected by the ignorance, inconsistency, and sin of her members. Thus, the disorders in the Corinthian Church did not affect the unity God gives. Paul said to the Ephesians, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).

Disorders affect the fellowship, but not the unity of Christ’s assembly. Heresies contribute to the manifestation of the unity of the assembly. The unity which is imperfectly manifested now will be completely manifested in the kingdom. The degree of its manifestation in the present is determined by the degree of spiritual growth.

We must not overlook the threefold work of Christ in regard to the assembly He is building. The threefold work of Jesus Christ consists of the following: (1) “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25); (2) “so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Eph. 5:26); and (3) “that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Eph. 5:27).

Nothing can be more wonderful than God’s threefold protection of His chosen ones—past, present, and future. The same principles typified by Adam and Eve are seen operating between Christ and His assembly. As soon as the declaration was made that Adam should not be alone, we are told about the operation. From a rib, God made woman for the man. Moreover, as soon as the assembly was announced, the foundation upon which she is continuing to be built was proclaimed. The only thing remaining is her presentation to Christ for the consummation of the marriage. Paul said, “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin” (II Cor. 11:2). At that time, the perfect “Bride” will be given the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16:19).

The assembly is neither visible nor invisible only, because she is both. If we were to say the assembly is wholly visible, it would be like saying Christ is purely human. As the human nature of Christ is the only manifestation of God, the local aspect of the assembly is the only manifestation of the invisible principle of life. Therefore, both Christ and His assembly are mysteries of the world. Christ said, “…I will build My church…” (Matt. 16:18). What about the institutional “churches” that hire people to come and help increase their membership? Scripture says, “And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

Roman Catholics say, “The church teaches infallibly when it defines, through the Pope alone, as the teacher of all Christians, or through the Pope and the bishops, a doctrine of faith or morals to be held by all the faithful…” (Baltimore Catechism, Page 73). Infallibility in the Roman Catholic Church is claimed by continuity in the Pope as the Vicar of Christ. Thus, the Pope is the church’s infallible guide, according to their publications. On page 64 of the New Baltimore Catechism and Mass, the Holy Catholic Church is illustrated as follows: (1) Christ is the invisible Head of the church at the right hand of God; (2) The Pope—successor of Peter—is the Head of the church; (3) All bishops are successors of the apostles; (4) Priests are pastors; (5) Brothers and Sisters; and (6) Laity. Underneath this pyramid are all other Catholics and the text, Matthew 16:18—“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

The whole argument of the Roman Catholic Church is based on their view of the promise given to Peter in Matthew 16:18 and 19. This should cause each Christian to scrutinize the history of Peter. All judgments and decisions are to be made on the basis of what God has said, and not on the basis of what the Roman Catholic Church is saying. Where is the final seat of authority? It is not human reason, because that is subjectivism. It is not subjectivism, because that is Roman Catholicism. There is no revelation given above that which is written. The Holy Spirit guides, but not in the formulation of doctrine which might be superimposed upon the Word of God.

The only true testimony is the inspired (God-breathed) word of God (II Tim. 3:16, 17). Immediately after Peter’s good confession, Christ announced His suffering. Christ asked the disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matt. 16:13). Three names were mentioned—John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah. Christ said, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). 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).

Immediately after Peter’s confession, Christ announced His suffering. “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke [epitiman, present active infinitive of epitimao, meaning rebuke, censure, speak seriously, or warn] Him, saying, God forbid it Lord! This shall never happen to You” (Matt. 16:21, 22).

Peter’s good confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16), was followed by a false statement, “This shall never happen to You” (Matt. 16:22). It cannot be denied that Peter set himself up as a guardian of Jesus Christ, and that is the reason he rebuked the Son of God. However, his self-appointment as guardian became the object of a rebuke from Christ. Christ said, “Get behind Me, Satan” (Matt. 16:23). His self-appointment as a guardian also resulted in a rebuke for going to sleep (Matt. 26:40-46).

Paul rebuked Peter because he was wrong (Gal. 2:9-21). Does this sound like infallibility? The decision was not made on the basis of papal authority. Furthermore, Peter recognized what he was when he refused undue reverence and homage on the part of Cornelius. “When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I too am just a man” (Acts 10:25, 26). It is sad to say, but very few cases like this in an assembly turn out like this one did.

All judgments and decisions are to be made on the basis of what God has said, and not on the basis of what the Roman Catholic Church is saying. This applies to all churches of all denominations. The only true Vicar of Christ is the Spirit, who, like Him, is absolutely and unqualifiedly the Spirit of truth. Christ told the disciples, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning” (John 15:26, 27). Christ also told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would lead them into all truth. He said, “In that day you will not question Me about anything” (John 16:23).

There is no inner light or revelation given above that which is written. Individual revelation is without a standard. The Spirit guides, but not in the formulation of doctrine which might be superimposed upon the word of God. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the nature of authority is invested in the Apostles being united to Peter, their declared pastor and head. Thus, the infallibility of the Roman Catholic Church resides in the Body of Bishops, the successors of the Apostles in communion with the Pope, the successor of Saint Peter.

The assembly (church) is not the kingdom, but we do have the relation of the assembly to the kingdom. The most common interpretation read or heard today is that the “church” of Matthew 16:18 is the “kingdom” of God on earth of Matthew 16:19. This calls serious questions and meditation on the following questions and statements:

1. Is “kingdom” a synonym for assembly?

2. Can “flesh and blood” inherit the kingdom?

3. Does prophecy predict a kingdom between the first and second advents?

4. Does Matthew 16:18 and 19 distinguish between the assembly and the kingdom?

5. The kingdom will not come until the assembly is completed.

6. Was it the assembly or kingdom that was removed from the Jews?

7. If the assembly was the kingdom, the saints would be reigning now.

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The NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE—UPDATED EDITION is the source of all Scripture quotations in this message, unless otherwise noted.