In The Master's Service

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THE ORDER OF GOD'S HOUSE

Elder J. M. Bullard

In studying the way some Old Baptists behave in the Church reminds me of what I observe in some homes. Sometimes parents will leave their children and go away from home for awhile. They leave their laws and order to govern them in their absence. But sometimes there is a big, overgrown boy who assumes the job of "bossing" until the parents return. This big boy is always very smart. He gives orders and demands obedience. He is usually uncompromising and harsh. The younger children must act in strict obedience to what he commands. This is often contrary to the parental law that they are duty-bound to obey. But for fear of the torture and abuse of the big brother, they yield to do what he says. Therefore, when the parents return they find the family disturbed - things out of order, and their laws disregarded. Do not some of us preachers resemble this big boy? Do we not too often give the Lord's family our own orders instead of the orders of our Master? Will our kind Master not look with disfavor upon such procedure? Won't we have to face Him in shame when we must give account for our stewardship?

Instead of this big boy abusing and exercising such authority over the family, he should have been a kind protection for them. The ministry was given as a kind of protection for the Church; at least, they are watchmen, to warn of approaching dangers. But, too often in this age of the Church, there is sometimes more danger in the watchman than there is in the enemy he is watching. So there is little protection in such a case as that. I mention this without reference to any individual. It is a dangerous ravine into which any of us might fall, and a watchman must necessarily be closer to the enemy than the ones for whom he is watching, because he is to see it first, and either subdue it, or warn the flock of its approach. Then they are either to flee or fight, depending upon which is necessary. Sometimes it's better to flee than to fight; and always so, unless you have a brave and true leader.

God's house is to ever be protected by the providence and power of God, and will stand forever (Dan. 2:44). There has never been any danger in the respect of destroying it; but that which pertains to its usefulness here, is in the hands of those who occupy it. The orders that are to govern it have never been altered or changed. However, men have at different times made alterations and additions, but the laws that God gave her remain the same. They cannot be changed without serious injury to those affected. Christ, when He went away, solemnly gave some practices to be engaged in until He comes back. He was leaving a great possession, and it is His yet. If it is not functioning just as He authorized it, it is not because of His failure to instruct her; because He did not leave her here in this cold, unfriendly world with no knowledge of how to behave. But He tells us how we OUGHT to behave ourselves. Read 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 2:3; Psalms 101:2.

Now I wish to call attention to some things that must be heeded, and it is "neglect," rather than a bringing in of something "new." Notice: "Unto the church at Ephesus, write: I know thy labor and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them that are evil, and thou hast tried them who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars, and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, for thou hast left thy first love," etc. -Rev. 2:2-4.

What was the matter? Left her first love! Neglect! What was the denunciation? "Remember from whence thou art fallen, repent, and do thy first works," etc. -Rev. 2:5.

Another thing required: "To the Church which is at Sardis write: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead. Be watchful to strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God." -Rev. 3:1-2.

Here we see a church is to be engaged in working if it is looked upon as an orderly church. How diligent we should be to be engaged in the works which He commands! Why is it that a church can drag on, and die, and no one will ever utter a word? But when a church gets too smart, and drags in some new or unscriptural practice, everybody is ready to howl "DISORDER!" Well, some might want to ask me what I think of the new measures and new practices in the Church.

I am bitterly opposed to every unscriptural practice. I have no patience with it and I am just as severely opposed to the unscriptural neglect of doing what is required.

I had just as soon see one die running after the devil as to see him sit down in the fire the devil had made. I can't see any difference. There is no difference. Anything not authorized in scripture is dangerously wrong to practice. Anything that is authorized in the scriptures is equally dangerously wrong to leave off. This is my main objective in writing on this subject. I have seen churches that would tolerate covetousness, drunkenness, lying, negligence in church attendance, or almost any other ungodly practice; but they want the preachers to abuse Sunday schools, Bible classes, and any other new thing, but don't say anything about US - we're all right (??). Well, what about that? Are you in favor of Sunday schools, etc.? NO! NO!! NO!!! strongly emphasized, and here's my reason: It is unscriptural, and I oppose the other things mentioned for the same reason. Sometimes we find a church that wants the preacher to "land on" a salaried ministry, and "give it down the country;" when that church is not even paying its pastor's expenses to go and preach for them. "Well," you ask, "are you in favor of paying the preacher a salary?" No, because it is unscriptural to do so; and it is equally unscriptural for you to neglect to support your ministry as the Bible directs. One is just as guilty as the other. Both are wrong, because they fail to go by the directions or order of the New Testament. God loves an orderly house; and in order for us as His children to please Him, we must abide by the order which He has given. No man has any authority to change the order of God's house. Why should we want to indulge in something that He forbids? Why should we want to commanded? How can we claim leave off something that He has to be in order and do either?