In The Master's Service

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THE HOUSE

Elder David P. Bridgman - From "Good Will" Oct. 1956

For the past few days my mind has been largely on the "House of Israel." This expression is found many times in the Bible, and it means much to those who have even a small understanding of its meaning. The House of Israel is the family of God, and it consists of every heir of promise. This house was not built by man, but by God alone. The Godhead consists of God the Father, Christ the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three constitute the fullness of God complete, and have been referred to by many names. Let us read from the pen of the wisest man who ever lived: "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars." Prov. 9:1. The word WISDOM here refers to God and His completeness. Wisdom builded this house before the world was, and in due time brought it to pass as had been predetermined. Solomon referred to this house resting upon seven pillars, as a sure foundation. The house can never be destroyed. Paul, in the latter part of the 8th chapter of Romans, tells us why it is impossible, for he named every power that has been or can be and then said that none of them could ever destroy any part of this house. The pillars upon which this house rests are the Foreknowledge of God, His Predestination, Calling, Sanctification, Redemption, Justification, and the Resurrection. The word SEVEN is a Bible number, and it means a full and complete number. Now all these pillars upon which the House of God rests are the work of God, and none of them are the results of man's work.

We find in the third chapter of the Acts, after Christ had been crucified and had arisen, and after the man who lay at the gate called beautiful had been healed by the power of God invested in Peter and John, that the people were alarmed and looked upon Peter and John as though they had healed the lame man by their own power. Peter had already said in the 36th verse of the 2nd chapter: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." It is the HOUSE OF ISRAEL that I want to consider in this. Verse 37 says, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" It was the house of Israel that was pricked in the heart, they had spiritual eyes and ears, and in verse 38 Peter answers their question: "Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." He did not tell them they would receive the Holy Ghost, but the GIFT of it. They already had the Holy Ghost and that is why they were pricked IN their heart, but those who were not of the house of Israel were CUT TO the heart. These were made mad, while those pricked in the heart were made glad. Everyone who receives the Holy Ghost is a member of the house of Israel, and every member of the house of Israel will in due time receive the Holy Ghost. Many of them will not receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost, for they are not obedient to Christ while they live, but that will not affect their home in heaven; will have nothing to do with them being members of the house of Israel.

In Hebrews 8:10, we find these words, "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people." This covenant was not made with all mankind, but with the house of Israel only. All other folks were not considered but were left just as they were. Those of the house of Israel were those whose names were written in the Lamb's Book of Life before the world began, and they will all be quickened from death unto life in due time (Eph. 2:1). The Lord said He would put his laws into their mind and write them in their hearts. He did not say if they would do so and so He would make this new covenant with them, but it was done without any conditions whatever. This was His work and will continue to be so, and He will perform it all by Himself. He will be unto them a God, and they will be unto Him a people. Not if they are good only, but regardless. They shall be unto Him a people, for they are none other than the house of Israel. When they obey Him they are blessed; when they disobey Him they are chastised, and when one is chastised it is evidence that he is of the house of Israel, for those who are not chastised have no assurance that they are His. The reason God chastises His people when they are disobedient is because of the great love He has for them. Heb. 12:6. Certainly, that should be the only reason why any natural father should punish his child. This is because he loves the child and not because he has rule over it.

We are taught in the 11th verse of the 8th chapter of Hebrews that we SHALL not teach every man his brother, saying, know the Lord. People may and do try to do this all over the country, but we are taught here in the word of God that they SHALL not do it, and there is no better reason why they CANNOT do so. This is the work of Christ through the Holy Spirit. We are taught, however, that they shall all know Him, from the least to the greatest. Not just those who are called good boys and girls, but ALL shall know Him. When the Holy Spirit is sent into the hearts of His children they are made to know Him; it matters not where they are or what they have been doing. It is a SHALL from the hand of God alone. This will be true with every member of the house of Israel. Is it not wonderful to have the assurance that you are of the house of Israel! It certainly is.  Please pardon my rude manner in trying to bring you these truths.