Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-10-25

r. the glorious call
ing OF the Church,
chapters Is; and
n the earthly life of
the Church, chap
aSSa "a -, tiers IS
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 sidevthe Church as 1t was
In the mind Of God, just as the plans
and specifications OF a building are in
the mind Of the architect before a sin
gle stone is laid Oslo. Second,
from the human side: The conception
Of the Church as it should be in the
mind of the Chruch itself G:15-23).
This division takes the form of a
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 GLIB; dead in
sin, children of wrath. ruled by Satan,
fulfilling the desires Of the flesh. with
out Christ and hopeless, afar of with
out God, and strangers to the covenant
Of promise. Note further, the means
by which this construction takes
place q: 5-1S). Men in their natural
state are not fit to be stones in the
temple of God. the Church of Jesus
Christ. They must be quickened ire
generated) into spiritual life, raised
into spiritual privileges with Christ
yer. 4-6). And this is all of grace, not
of works over S-10). AS the result
OF all this, our position Is as follows:
made nigh (ver. 49,; reconciled (ver.
16); have peace Ever, 10: access to
God (ver. 49,; fel'Cw-citi-on with the
saints (ver ~; Do'Ntors of the
household Of Geo tver 49,; holy tenn
pies 10 the Lord
The Church - row conceived Of IS
a spiritual STRUCTURE t2.20-22l Jesus
Christ, the apostles and prophets are
its chief cornerstone and foundation.
Each believer is 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
4:116). We are exhorted not to
make but to keep the unity already
existing.
The graces that maintain unity are
described as meekness, lowliness. long
suffering, forbearance, love alb.
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 "A 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 Di-
vine Spirit. The end and aim of these
gifts Is set forth in 4:13-16-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
I'm uublameable membership (4:17-
5:2N. so he portrays to Us wildly 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 rescribeo