Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1911-02-16
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AS AN
ORGANIC INSTITUTION.

ORGANIC INSTITUTION.
Paul Says: Nov, therefore, ye are
no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellow citizens with the saints, and
the household of God, and are built
upon the foundation OF the apostles
and the prophets. Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner stone For
other foundations can no man lay
than that which is laid, which Is
Jesus Christ"
Peter said: Thou art the Christ
the Son OF the living God" Jesus an
swer was, Upon this rock l will
build my church; and the gates OF
HIDES shall not prevail against it,
These passages give the foundation
OF the church.
The Christ alone Is the head OF his
church which is divine Institution
and is the means by which God is
saving the world.
No one can claim to be Chris.
tian and ignore the church OF the liv
ing God for God has exalted Christ
far above all rule and authority aDd
power and dominion and every name
that Is named and gave him to be the
head over all things to the church
which is the body. We now proceed
to give the name, officers and theii
duty to the Church OF Christ"
We learn that Christians were call
ed in their collective capacity. 1.-THE
Church" The Church OF God" "Ths
Churches of God" 1.-THE Church OF the
Lord" "The Churches of Christ" "rhe
Body OF Christ" THE Household Of
] they were called Saints" brethren.
disciples" disciples of Christ.
Christians" Children OF the king
/ DOM" Saints" also figurative terms
These are sufficient to describe them
in their varied relations.
We learn from the New Testament
that there were bishops" or elders
"deacons" and ministers or ,evangel
lists and these are all the officers.
Paul sent to Ephesus, and called
the elders OF the church." and said
take heed therefore unto yourselves
and to all the flock, over which the
Holy Spirit has made you oyerseers
| to feed the church OF God" Here we
have the elders called overseers with
| the same word other places translated
bishops.
Paul also says: For this cause LEFT
thee In Crete, that thou shouldesI
set in order the things that are want
ing, and ordain elders in every city
as ! had appointed thee. II any be
| blameless the husband OF one wife
having faithful children not accused
of riot and unruly. for bishop mus
be blameless. as the steward of God
Thus we find bishops, overseer,
and elders are synonymous.
| Peter giving further the duties says
! Feed the flock OF God which Is amont
you, taking the oversight thereof no
by constraint but willingly. not TO
filthy lucre. but OF ready mind.
Neither as being lords over Cod
heritage but being ensamples to tn
flock And when the chief shepherd
shall appear we shall receive a crow
OF glory that fadeth not away"
SO we have precious promises 70
the true elder OF Christs church.
Paul's journey with Barnabas II
visiting the churches we find, "WheI
they had ordained elders In ever,
church and had prayed with fasting
they commended them TO the Lord. o.
whom they believe"
We learn they had more than on
elder for each congregation for the
| ordained elders" in every church
paul sent to Ephesus and called tn
elders OF the church" The New Tel
lament church had a plurality OF elt
ers. so chosen In the individuabl
congregation.
The deacons had charge OF takin
care Of the needy OF the congregation
-(Acts 6.) Their qualifications niue
the same a. elders as seen in I. Tin
| $3.50.
In Rom. 10 we learn that mini
ters and evangehsts are one and III
: same and should be compensated ft
their labor. There are NO higher titls
than these given to any man In u
church. Let 10 use scriptursl tern