The Christian church is defined in the Bible as the body of Christ beautifully portrayed under the figure of marriage, with Christ as the head of the body. This close relationship between the body and the head, or the husband and the wife, reveals the intimate nature of the fellowship that God has planned shall exist between Himself and His church on earth. This relationship is emphasized by the inspired statement that "Christ and His church are inseparable."—Testimonies, Vol. III, p. 418. The church is also presented in the Holy Scriptures as a building, or temple, of which the members are stones, and Christ is the chief cornerstone.
What Constitutes the Church? These rhetorical figures indicate certain characteristics of the church and its relationship to Christ but do not state the nature of its composition. Peter, speaking of the believers in Christ, says, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, thus indicating that the church is composed of those who believe in Christ. Believers in Christ are found in heaven as well as on earth; therefore it can be said that there are two sections of God's church, consisting of the unfallen beings in heaven and regenerate humanity This interpretation of the church is supported by the messenger of the Lord in the following words:
"From the beginning faithful souls have constituted the church on earth. In every age the Lord has had His watchmen, who have borne a faithful testimony to the generation in which they lived. . . . God brought these witnesses into covenant relation with Himself, uniting the church on earth with the church in heaven."—Acts of the Apostles, p. 11.
These "faithful souls" constituting the church of God on earth are found in many societies and communities, not yet gathered out into one select group; nevertheless, God has a specific body of people known by their relation to His law, and -their possession of the inestimably valuable gift of the Spirit of prophecy, who in the last days of 'earth's history constitute His visible church.
Authority of the Church of God. The great commission given by Christ to His followers prior to His ascension points to the authority which accompanies the activities of the properly organized church. The continual presence of the Holy Spirit with the church on earth is an assurance of unlimited power, which is available for the victorious prosecution of the work entrusted to the church by God. Mrs. White repeatedly emphasizes the great power and authority vested in the church by God, and the following extracts from her writings are typical of the instruction given in this connection:
"The church of Christ is God's agency for the proclamation of truth ; she is empowered by Him to do a special work; and if she is loyal to God, obedient to His commandments, there will dwell within her the excellence of divine power. If she will honor the Lord God of Israel, there is no power that can stand against her. If she will be true to her allegiance, the forces of the enemy will be no more able to overpower her than is the chaff to resist the whirlwind."—Testimonies, Vol. VIII, p. II.
"He who despises the authority of the church, despises the authority of Christ Himself."—The Desire of Ages, p. 8o6.
"The church is God's delegated authority upon earth." —Testimonies, Vol. V, p. 107.
Speaking of the procedure to be followed in dealing with recalcitrant members, the same writer says :
"The world's Redeemer has invested great power with His church. He states the rules to be applied in cases of trial with its members. After He has given explicit directions as to the course to be pursued, He says, 'Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever [in church disciplinel ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.' Thus even the heavenly authority ratifies the discipline of the church in regard to its members, when the Bible rule has been followed."—Testimonies, Vol. III, p. 428.
The church, composed of individual believers in Christ who are loyal to the law of God and rejoice in the help granted through the Spirit of prophecy, is seen to constitute a divinely ordained and empowered body, whose authority is to be greatly respected.
Independent Relationship Not Sanctioned By God. There are those who consider that it is permissible to enjoy a religious experience and decide for themselves what the will of God Is independently of the organized church. But this is a mistaken conception of God's plan, as will be seen from the following statements:
"God has made His church a channel of light, and through it He communicates His purposes and His will. He does not give one an experience independent of the church. He does not give one man a knowledge of His will for the entire church while the church, Christ's body, is left in darkness."—/bid., p. 414.
"The Redeemer of the world does not sanction experience and exercise in religious matters independent of His organized and acknowledged church. . :
"Many have the idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for their light and experience, independent of His acknowledged followers in the world. But this is condemned by Jesus in His teachings, and in the examples, the facts, which He has given for our instruction...
"Jesus is the sinner's friend, His heart is ever open, ever touched with human woe; He has all power, both in heaven and upon earth; but He respects the means which He has ordained for the enlightenment and salvation of men."—Ibid.. pp. 432, 433.
This authority and power has been with the true church of God throughout the centuries, since Christ first ordained the apostles and sent them forth to proclaim His word and heal the sick. Apostasy caused changes in the outward designation of the true church, as when the great falling away of the church, headed by the- Bishop of Rome, resulted in the faithful believers dissociating themselves from that organization, and finding refuge in the mountains and desolate places.
God's Estimate of His Church. It appears that the true church of God always has been and always will be weak and insignificant according to worldly standards, but the church is none the less the ordained channel through which the truth, mercy, and grace of God are to flow to the world: "The church, endowed with the righteousness of Christ, is His depository, in which the riches of His mercy, His grace, and His love, are to appear in full and final display."—The Desire of Ages, p. 680.
When conversing with His disciples concerning the kingdom of God, Jesus comfortingly said, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32.
Today the same thought regarding the outward appearance. of the church of God is expressed by. this statement from Mrs. E. G. White's pen:
"During ages of spiritual darkness, the church of God has been as a city set on a hill. From age to age, through successive generations, the pure doctrines of heaven have been unfolding within its borders. Enfeebled and defective as it may appear, the church is the one object upon which God bestows in a special sense His supreme regard."—Acts of the Apostles, p. 12.
Whatever philosophers and worldly scholars may say, the institution planted in this earth by God, first in the patriarchal age as the church of Israel,. later reorganized and revivified by Christ when He was on earth, is a peculiarly favored and mightily endowed body of individuals, who are called out of the world to witness before the universe to the mysterious and irresistible power of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ in the lives of all who surrender to His control.
