The Southern herald., 1913-11-14

| Cers 40.
Under the first
main division presented to us, the con-
ception Of the Church in the mind of
God, as an invisible organism which
only God can see; in the second main
division, the Church as a visible or.
ganization, such as the world can see.
The bringing together of these two
thoughts is the sum total of the mes
sage Of this book.
Under the conception of the Church
we have presented to use first from
the divine side, the Church as 1t was
in the mind of God, just as the plans
and specifications Of building are in
the mind Of the architect before a sin
gle stone Is laid (1:3-14). Second,
from the human side: The conception
Of the Church as it should be in the
mind Of the Chruch itself (1:15-23).
This division takes the form Of
prayer to the Father that the Church
man consciously realize and appre-
ciate this divine conception. The OBJ
ject of the prayer is threefold: That
believers may know what Is the hope
Of their calling; what the riches of the
glory Of Gods inheritance In his
saints; and what the exceeding great
ness Of his power in those who be.
lieve, which power is illustrated In
the resurrection and exaltation OF
Jesus Christ.
Having briefly considered the con-
ception Of the Church, let us now
glance for a moment at its construc-
ton, the account Of which we find in
chapter 2;1-22 Note here the de-
scription of the material out Of which
the Church is formed, and how this
material is described (2:1-12); dead in
sin, children of wrath, ruled by Satan,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh, with
out Christ and hopeless, afar off with
out God, and strangers to the covenant
of promise.
The Church is now conceived of as
spiritual structure (2:20-22). Jesus
Christ, the apostles and prophets are
its chief cornerstone and foundation.
Each believer is a living stone in the
living temple; each aggregation Of be-
levers also constitutes dwelling
place of the Spirit.
The next great point to be consid,
cred Is the Constituency of the Church,
which is set forth in chapter 3:1-21.
In this chapter are set forth the per
sonal relations existing between the
writer and his readers. In the same
connection is declared the kind Of
people out Of which the Church is con-
structed, not, however, as to the In.
dividual, as in chapter 2, but with re,
gard to the two great divisions of man,
kind: Jew and Gentle.
The second division of the book,
namely, the earthly walk of the
Church chapters 4-6), is presented to
us in the following fourfold way:
First-There is the walk of the
Church, which should be united walk
(4-1-16).
The graces that maintain unity are
described as meekness, lowliness, long
suffering, forbearance, love (4:1-3).
Then those fundamental unities on
which the unity is based are describ-
ed one body, one Spirit, one calling,
one Lord one faith one baptism, one
God who is over all, through all in all
(4:4-6). The fact Is further empha-
sized that the unity which should
characterize the Church is not mo-
notony, but consists in diversity Of
gifts (4:7-1D. Here are described the
various gifts and Offices in the posses
sion Of the membership Of the Church,
all Of which are bestowed by the d.
vine Spirit. The end and aim Of these
gifts is set forth in 4:1316-they are
all to be used for the building up of
the body Of Christ
Second-God would have the world
see not only united Church, but also
an unblameable membership (4:17-
5:21), 80 he portrays to US vividly the
walk Of the individual believer. which
should be characterized by purity,
and consistent with his profession In
Christ. The old life Is described;
then the new life, first in general, sec
ond then in detail is set before us In
glowing terms
Third-God would have the world
see an ideal family life (5:22-6:9).
The walk Of the Christian family
should be one Of reciprocal love and
willing service for each other. Here
are set before us the relation of hus.
band and wife; parents and children;
masters and servants.
Fourth-The dynamic power for the
realization of these ideals is rescribed
in 6:10-1S. The Christian must nut
on the whole armor Of God, which is
here delineated piece by piece. Thus
armed, victory is certain.
The Epistle concludes with a re-.
quest for prayer by the apostle and
With final salutatlons. s:1s-2A