Keys of the Kingdom from page 1 merely go. They are sent: Who sends them? The church.
Keys of the Kingdom from page 1 merely go. They are sent: Who sends them? The church.
14b
And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
15a
And how are they to preach unless they are sent?( Rom 10:14b-15a)
The church assesses the qualifications of leaders( 1 Tim 3; Titus 1). The church ordains, authorizes, and sends preachers, as with Paul and Barnabas( Acts 13:1-4). The church places the keys into the hands of those called to preach.
Moreover, the church baptizes new believers into the fellowship of the church. This is crucial because the church has the keys to heaven.“ What shall we do?” those convicted of their sins cry out( Acts 2:37). The answer of Peter is surprising for those thinking along narrowly individualistic lines.“ Repent and be baptized,” he urges( Acts 2:38). This is the consistent pattern. Baptism, like circumcision before it, is the rite of admission into the community of the people of God( Col 2:11; Rom 4:11). Those who believe are baptized and added to the number of the church( Acts 2:41, 47). The Samaritans( 8:17), Ethiopian eunuch( 8:36, 38), Saul of Tarsus( 9:18), Cornelius( 10:47, 48), Lydia and her household( 16:15), and Philippian jailer and his household( 16:33) are all baptized into the membership of the church. It is accurate to say that the book of Acts does not recognize churchless Christianity. To be a Christian is to be a member of the church. To be outside of the church therefore, is still to be in the realm of darkness( Col 1:13). Those removed from the church are said to be“ deliver( ed) to Satan”( 1 Cor 5:5), to the“ god of this world” who blinds the minds of unbelievers( 2 Cor 4:4). Outside the church the keys are unavailable.
Vital
Want to be admitted into heaven? The church has the key that unlocks the door. Jesus is the door( Jn 10:7), but the church has the key. The health, the well-being, the growth of every believer is dependent upon the ministry of the church. Joining the church should never be considered dismissively. Actively participating in and contributing to the life and ministry of the church should never be considered optional. Because Jesus has committed the keys of the kingdom to the church of God, every believer must go to the church to receive that ministry which will feed and sustain his or her soul.
Someone may object: I get more out of my Bible study group than I do the ministry of the church. Another may object: I get more out of my quiet time than I do out of church. Still others may object: I get more out of listening to my favorite preacher online than I do out of church. All three objectors may then wrongly order their priorities according to their perceptions, abandoning the local church in the process. All three may conclude that the church is expendable in light of the greater utility of their preferred alternative. of secondary importance to the well-being of our souls. We also need the preaching and teaching of those called by God and authorized by the church. We need as well the prayers of the two or more offered in the assembly of the church which Jesus has promised to answer. We need the oversight and accountability provided by church leaders. God is sovereign and may bless His word outside of the church. Undoubtedly He has done so. Yet shouldn’ t our commitment be to that organization and the ordinary means by which He has promised to bless His people?
— TLJ
Dead Theologians’ Society 2018
Looking for fellowship with other men? Interested in discussing meaningful spiritual subjects? Join us for the remaining 2018 Dead Theologians’ Society reading club meetings at the following dates / locations:
Wednesday morning, 6:50AM, Johnsons’ home, 110 Lee Blvd. * breakfast served
Thursday noon, I. P. C. Administration Building 2 nd floor classroom * bring sack lunch
Thursday noon( Pooler),“ Miss Sophie’ s Marketplace” @ Mighty Eighth Museum * purchase lunch
Aug. 29, 30, Sept. 6( Pooler) Spiritual Depression, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, pp 219-300
Sept. 26, 27, Oct. 4( Pooler) Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, J. I. Packer
Oct. 31 / Nov. 1, Nov. 8( Pooler) Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, J. I. Packer
Nov. 28, 29, Dec. 6( Pooler) Introductory Essay to John Owen’ s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, by J. I. Packer
December— no additional meetings
Our answer? It’ s not the same, whatever our perceptions may be. The sacraments are not available online. Neither are they
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