The Pillar and the Mystery

1 Timothy 3:15-16 KJV

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

I am impressed this morning with the close association between the church of God and the mystery of godliness, which is the Gospel. The two are so inextricably tied that they can never be rightly put asunder which, though it is generally held that the church ought to be associated with the gospel, it is often thought that the gospel may be preached without the church.

Truth be told, that gospel that is preached through para-church and extra church endeavors always tends to a degenerative fruit. I do not deny that souls have been won to Christ through their work, but that the only fruit that has remained is that which has found its way into a biblical church. The rest has simply contributed to that amazing tree that shelters the religious fowl of the world.

Preach the gospel. Preach it passionately. But preach it under the authority of and as a ministry of the pillar and ground of truth; a New Testament Baptist Church.