312
Counsels for the Church
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 members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness
into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is
the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the
church will eventually be made manifest, even to “the principalities
and powers in heavenly places,” the final and full display of the love
of God
Paul Directed to the Church for Instruction
Many have the idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for
their light and experience, independent of His acknowledged followers
in the world. But this is condemned by Jesus in His teachings and in
the examples, the facts, which He has given for our instruction. Here
was Paul, one whom Christ was to fit for a most important work, one
who was to be a chosen vessel unto Him, brought directly into the
presence of Christ; yet He does not teach him the lessons of truth.
He arrests his course and convicts him; and when he asks, “What
wilt Thou have me to do?” the Saviour does not tell him directly, but
places him in connection with His church. They will tell thee what
thou must do. Jesus is the sinner’s friend, His heart is ever open,
ever touched with human woe; He has all power, both in heaven and
upon earth; but He respects the means which He has ordained for the
enlightenment and salvation of men. He directs Saul to the church,
thus acknowledging the power that He has invested in it as a channel
of light to the world. It is Christ’s organized body upon the earth, and
respect is required to be paid to His ordinances. In the case of Saul,
Ananias represents Christ, and he also represents Christ’s ministers
upon the earth who are appointed to act in Christ’s stead.
In the conversion of Paul are given us important principles which
we should ever bear in mind. The Redeemer of the world does not
[243]
sanction experience and exercise in religious matters independent of
His organized and acknowledged church, where He has a church.
433
The Acts of the Apostles, 9