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.
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