Trending
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God - II Timothy 3:16
In our brief study of church growth, we have now laid the foundation. The inerrant, infallible Word of God, which was first given to the prophets, apostles, and men of God, is to be our guide. Christ, the very Son of God is to be the head of the church. There is no higher law than that which came directly from the mouth of God through His Son.
When we study a topic or subject like church growth, we approach the translations we have as if they are accurate. But when we run into poor translations or the misuse of words, then we must go back to the original languages, compare Bible passages, and make sure we are in harmony with the rest of Scripture.
II Timothy 3:16 tells us, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." This is a trustworthy statement, but not all Scripture applies to the subject of church growth. So what part of the Bible would we study if we wanted to learn more about God's will and purpose for the church?
A lot of people will say, "Well if it's in the New Testament, then it applies to the church." I believe this is a false statement or belief. The sacrificial law in the OT does not apply to us in the church today, but it was a part of the NT. We are going to consider three different time periods in the NT, and see there is basically one that applies to us today and the subject of church growth. Here are the three time periods we will be discussing.
1 – The Old Testament economy in the New Testament.
2 – The transition period.
3 – The church age.
We are going to look at each time period and see how they apply (or do not apply) to the subject of the church and specifically church growth.
The account of the virgin birth of Christ is recorded in the NT, but he was actually born under the OT economy and law. Luke 2:21 says, "And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." Joseph and Mary were obedient and submissive to the OT law concerning the covenant God had originally made with Abraham in Genesis 17:12.
Galatians 4:4-5 confirms what I am saying. "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." Even the text in Mark 2:22-24 makes it clear that Joseph and Mary were obedient to the OT law. "As it is written in the law of the Lord - and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord."
So why is this so important for us today? Because people take that which does not apply to us today (OT law) and bring it into the church. Something which is not required by God, they carry along and burden down the local church with purely religious (not Godly) exercises never required by God in the church age. Next week we will consider a few of these things. Contact the author at: (thoughtsonword@gmail.com) if you have any comments or questions.
•••
Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published four books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016, Eye of a Needle in 2017, Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019 and A Bridge Between in 2023. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.