Torch, Spring 1984

the Christ, the Son ofthe living God. Following Peter's confession, the Lord Jesus gave a prophecy concern– ing the church, saying that He would build the church upon Himself. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates ofhell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16: 18) . The word for "Peter" is petros, a small, detached stone. The church is not built upon a small, detached stone like Peter, a stumbling, faltering 'man, but rather upon the Lord Jesus Christ, the solid immovable rock of glory and power. The church thus built upon Christ began at Jerusalem, moved onward north to Antioch in Syria, across the Mediterranean Sea to Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica, Athens, Philippi, and traversed the Roman Empire with the gospel message of deliverance and salvation as many hundreds of thousands of people were unshackled from the bondage of Roman paganism. The church in his– tory was the church of victory in the power of the Holy Spirit. THECHURCHINTHEPRESENT God 's special blessing is upon the church. The Lord works in and through the church to achieve His holy will and purpose for this present age. To be sure, there is not an ac– ceptable alternative for the ministry of the church in the present time. God has not and will not abandon the church. The church today in some quarters is belittled, in others ig– nored, in others ridiculed, still in others bypassed in favor of para– church organizations. While it is true that some para-church ministries such as television and radio might be a supplement of the church, they cer– tainly are not substitutes for the church. The opportunities of the church have never been greater. In the favor of the Holy Spirit, the church is well and has a useful purpose in God's plan. The church is to manifest the glory of God in every age. To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen (Ephe– sians 3:21). The church is to model a godly lifestyle in this godless world. Live as children of light (jor the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) (Ephe– sians 5:8,9). Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every op– portunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5: 15, 16). The church is to march everywhere proclaiming the message of light and life. The man– date of the Master has given the church her marching orders. The church pleases the Lord in going with the gospel to evangelize, edify, and educate believers to spiritual matur– ity (Matthew 28:18-20). The church is to mount an attack in defense of the Faith. The church has been commissioned by her Lord to stand unafraid for the Truth and con– tend for the Faith . Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once deli– vered unto the saints (Jude 1:3): The word "contend" is from epagonizomai and emphasizes that a great struggle takes place to defeat the opposition . Our English word "agony" is the noun form of this word. The Greek athletes exerted themselves to the point of agony in an effort to win the contest. Jude is say– ing here that with holy resolve and vigor the church must defend the doc– trines of Christianity. The church honors the Lord when she upholds the testimony of the Word. For the present we are to be shining and salting, building and battling. The high calling of the church should keep us so busy that we have no time for warfare within the family. THE CHURCH IN PROSPECT There are those who would have us believe that the church is now passe. Many books are coming off the pres– ses that advocate post-church plans. Contrariwise, we believe the Bible teaches that the church has a bright and glorious future . The church's fu– ture is indestructibly anchored in the sure promises of God (Hebrews 13:5,6) . The Lord Jesus said by divine fiat that .. . upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates ofhell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16: 18) . The Lord Jesus decreed perpetuity to His church . The church will march forward in blessed triumph against the fortresses of the Devil. The church will win the battle against her antagonists as she storms the bastions of the enemy in the power and provi– sions of God. Whoever heard of an army taking its gates with it into bat– tle! The church is pictured in courageous conquest as she destroys the gates of her foes . The church's future is thrillingly wonderful because she will be caught up in the 'Rapture at theLord's return . For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump ofGod: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (I Thes– salonians 4:16-17). What a future there is for the church! The term "rapture" is harpazo and renders the word "caught up" in I Thessalonians 4:17 . The word has five meanings. (1) "To seize, to carry off by force." This means that the Devil will do all in his power to keep the saints on earth, but the Lord Jesus will overpower Satan and carry the church off by force to heaven, taking the saints through the kingdom realm of the prince of this world . (2) "To claim for one' s self eagerly." At the end of this dispensation of grace , our Saviour will come and claim us as His very own, because His inheri– tance is in the saints (Ephesians 1:18) . (3) "To snatch out or away speedily." The sudden nature of the Rapture is expressed in keeping with I Corinthians 15 :52 , in a moment, in Dr. J. Don Jennings is president of North– west Baptist Semi– nary in Tacoma, Washington, and a trustee of Cedarville College. He is the continued on page 22 former international director of enrich– ment and evangelism for the Associa– tion of Baptists for World Evangelism and has pastored a number of churches . 7