DIVINE SUPPLY FOR THE LOCAL ASSEMBLY
[p. 226] DIVINE SUPPLY FOR THE LOCAL ASSEMBLY
Notes of Reading with Mr. J. Taylor at Dundee - June 10, 1950 1 Corinthians 1:1 - 16; 1 Corinthians 3:1 - 17 These epistles are written to correct any tendency to confusion. It is thought that these two chapters that have been read will help us to unity and love. There was much that was amiss in this assembly at Corinth and the subject is taken up later in connection with the Lord’s supper; especially “For there must also be sects among you, that the approved may become manifest among you” 1 Corinthians 11:19. It will also be noticed that the apostle calls attention to the local position in the assembly, “With all that in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours”. That is to say the local position is pointed out and we shall see as we look into it that everything that is remiss in the local position in Corinth is corrected in this and the second letter. It should also be noted that the first and second paragraphs of chapter one should be viewed as abstract. In the verses from 10 to 17 there are strong statements as to divisions among the Corinthians and how this is to be met and then the third chapter has been read because it carries on the thought of division, but it adds “the temple of God”. That [p. 227] is to say the Spirit of God is operating among them however grievous they may have been, and He is still operating. It is hoped that the brethren may communicate what is in their mind. This is a bible reading and we would like all to be free. The Spirit of God has come down and is carrying out in the assembly the work suitable to it. So that, dear brethren, I would be thankful if we could have help.
We were reading yesterday in another place, from the eleventh chapter of this epistle in view of the fact that it dealt with the service of God as it was at the beginning relating to the Lord’s supper and that the continuation of this might be seen at the present time.
Ques You spoke of the sects that are referred to in the eleventh chapter, the apostle saying that there must also be sects among you that the approved may become manifest. Would you say a little as to that in the light of the two portions read?
JT We spoke yesterday of the Lord’s supper and the privileges connected with it, and that what is referred to as sects is clearly possible where love is not active. The idea of sects is that the approved may be manifest, that is, we are going on with God and if there is a party it should be condemned, and condemned at once, and not only that but the eleventh chapter contemplates a penalty if there is anything like sects.
Ques So that while the apostle asserts his authority he also brings forward “Sosthenes the brother”, that would be the salvation of the saints, that brother spirit.
JT Quite so. Then the idea of what is abstract is important. The apostle is about to speak about divisions and he first speaks of what is right and he goes on to say, “I thank my God always about you, in respect of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus; that in everything ye have been enriched in him, in all word of doctrine, and all knowledge, (according as the testimony of the Christ has been confirmed in you), so that ye come short in no gift, awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ”. These verses are abstract. The Spirit of God has a right to speak of things abstractly so that the brethren should not be discouraged but should see that God is for them. Whatever He may have to do in a corrective way He is for them. So that in the first paragraph Paul is said to be “called apostle”. That is to say God has called him into apostleship. The assembly is accredited as “of God”. “Called saints”, or they are saints by calling “with all that in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours”. The idea of the universal fellowship is asserted.
Ques I suppose it is necessary that we have this abstract view of the saints if we are to go on in the present conditions?
JT I think the abstract is needful because of what he was going to say in a condemnatory [p. 229] sense and that is what we have in chapter 3, leading up to the light of the temple.
Ques Have you anything to say about the faithfulness of God over against what is unfaithful?
JT “God is faithful, by whom ye have been called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord”. While Paul was concerned about conditions at Corinth, he held on to the saints according to God’s thoughts. In Thessalonians Paul speaks in the greatest terms of their faithfulness, but here he speaks of the Corinthians in the abstract, so that things may be held and were held at that time. The same may be said today. God is helping the brethren all over the world. We must go on. If anything is to be done we do it and the Spirit of God is here sent down from heaven to add His help to our weaknesses.
Ques Do you think if the saints were in the good of what it means to be called to the level of the fellowship of God’s Son it would help them in the working out of what is presented in this chapter?
JT Yes, however bad things may seem to be they can be met. The man spoken of in the first epistle is restored, showing that God is ready to help them. Paul says in the second epistle, ‘encourage him, restore him’.
Ques When the apostle says “With all that in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours:” how [p. 230] far does that go today?
JT Is not that clear? Wherever the brethren are God is ready to help them. The next thing is, are they walking in the truth, not in the abstract truth but walking in the truth. If so, they would be in fellowship. 2 Timothy shows the way; “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart” 2 Timothy 2:22.
Rem I have often had a difficulty in regard to persons whom I meet, that we do not break bread with but who are true lovers of the Lord.
JT If they are calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ they should be in fellowship. That implies that they would be separated from everything that is contrary. Then there is the idea of the abstract. God is entitled to deal with things in the abstract. The apostle has already said, “God is faithful, by whom ye have been called into fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord”. Are these people to whom you refer in fellowship? That is the general idea of fellowship, calling on the name of the Lord Jesus, both theirs and ours.
Ques The scripture goes on “Now I exhort you, brethren”, does that suggest that they are within the range of the Pauline teaching?
JT Quite so. Do you wish to convey that they are the same kind of people who are marked by 2 Timothy?
Rem Well, I feel like this, I am moving in my daily path and I come in contact with [p. 231] lovers of Jesus.
JT Are they Baptists or what are they?
Rem Many a time I could not tell you, but they are lovers of Jesus.
JT Are they those that call on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart? 2 Timothy brings in the conditions for fellowship.
Ques Would they not be here tonight to answer for themselves if they were such?
JT Quite so. It is not now an abstract matter but the truth.
Rem Well; you would be happy to meet such, yet the light tests and the question is how far they love the Lord, and that would be proved by how far they would be marked by the truth.
JT Yes, then we have fellowship one with another.
Ques Does 2 Timothy 2 indicate that there are those walking in this path and it is good to follow it, and we should be an encouragement to any seeking to walk in the truth?
JT Yes, and there are a good many with whom we can walk. The Spirit of God speaks of saints as the assembly of God in chapter 1.
Ques The scripture mentions Sosthenes the brother, he would be a brother not one of the so-called ‘Plymouth brethren?’ A real brother that loves the brethren.
Ques Does Exodus 36:18 help as to what you are bringing before us? “And he made fifty clasps of copper to couple the tent, that it might be one”.
JT [p. 232] It is a question of the quality of the material.
Ques Is that like having the same mind? The scripture says that they may be one.
JT Yes.
Ques So that the brazen altar is in mind?
JT This is the fifty clasps of copper joining the eleven curtains together, especially the curtains of goats’ hair which is rough; people that handle roughly anything against God and Christ, they make no room for it.
Ques It really includes people who are walking in separation?
JT Goats’ hair would be rigid separation and there is to be no parleying with what is foreign.
Ques According to 2 John no parleying with such as bring not this doctrine, and such are not to be received into our houses.
JT That is so, John rightly speaking roughly in the manner of Joseph who spoke roughly (Genesis 42:7). John says, “For this reason, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, babbling against us with wicked words; and not content with these, neither does he himself receive the brethren;” 3 John 10.
Rem In Romans 16 Paul seems to be sensitive as to these divisions; “Consider those who create divisions ...” verse 17.
JT Quite so. Well, we might as well proceed with our chapter. Paul says, ‘I preach the glad tidings rather than baptize’. He is on the line of building up the assembly. Baptism is the going out, but the assembly is the building and that is what is in mind in this epistle.
Ques Would you help us as to what is involved in this exhortation and the beseeching by the name of the Lord Jesus, and then the further reference to the Christ being crucified for you as an antidote to this spirit of sectarianism?
JT “That ye all say the same thing”, that is, not be haggling about trifles, and “that there be not among you divisions”. This started as soon as the revival began and has continued among so-called brethren. “That there be not among you divisions; but that ye be perfectly united in the same mind”. How often we bring up another opinion but the scripture says “the same opinion”. “For it has been shewn to me ... that there are strifes among you”. This is now said in view of the fact that what he had said was abstract. The scripture goes on, “That each of you says, I am of Paul, and I of Apollos”.
Ques Would you think that one spiritual man could do a good deal to end such a state of things, “I exhort?” Exhortation is a remedy.
JT I do not know what to say about that.
Rem I was thinking of this chapter and in Philippians Paul exhorts the sisters to be of one mind.
JT Quite so.
[p. 234] Rem And in the power of spiritual authority and the Son over the house, judgment beginning at the house.
JT Quite so.
Ques So that in the address to Thyatira the Lord is presented as Son over the house to deal with opposition and anything that is contrary?
JT Diotrephes for instance. Then we would point out that anyone might recognize that there is a commandment for all.
Rem Paul could say to the master of the ship, “Ye ought ... . to have hearkened to me”, Acts 27:21.
JT The angel of God spoke to him that night. The term ‘care meeting’ brings out the facts and “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every matter be established”. 2 Corinthians 13:1.
Ques If in a locality where there is division and the brethren cannot agree, they are justified in calling the brethren from a near meeting?
JT I do not think so. There is everything in their own local meeting to keep things going. We have each other, “With all that in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. In the local position we have means within us, in the assembly and in dependence on the Holy Spirit to do everything, and in God’s temple we have light.
Rem The sisters are often helpful in this connection.
JT That is where you get information. So [p. 235] that sisters can do that, thank God! We are being helped in regard to the sisters. They are very much in the government of the house of God.
Rem Wisdom is found in a feminine sense as in Proverbs.
JT Quite so. To proceed, “For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us that are saved it is God’s power. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and set aside the understanding of the understanding ones. Where is the wise? Where scribe?” It can be seen that the assembly is in view and the building and the truth and if we go on to the third chapter we shall see how the matter is met. Now we can see how the apostle was labouring for the unity of the Spirit. As I was remarking as to Eve, she was built out of a rib taken out of Adam and God built a woman. The question is raised here, “Let each see how he builds upon it. For other foundation can no man lay besides that which is laid”. That is to say, the idea of building is important and each shall receive a reward - a comforting thought. “If the work of any one shall be consumed, he shall suffer loss, but he shall be saved, but so as through the fire”. In another place we have the idea of saved by water, but here it is saved by fire.
Ques Have we to regard our local brethren as material that can be built into the structure?
JT Of course we have. That is how we regard each other. We take account of each other [p. 236] in that way because we love them.
Rem So that the fire shows how far God will go in view of the salvation of each one; then further, the importance of Sosthenes the brother, that he would be prepared to go the whole way.
JT Sosthenes was a standing witness to brotherly love. “Let brotherly love abide” Hebrews 13:1; “By this shall all know that ye are disciples of mine, if ye have love among yourselves” John 13:35; “And now abide faith, hope, love; these three things; and the greater of these is love” 1 Corinthians 13:13. Love never fails!
Ques You referred earlier to Jesus Christ. At Corinth there were different men coming into view, but the apostle had only one Man before him?
JT That was the foundation. “On this rock I will build my assembly” Matthew 16:18.
Ques The apostle is addressing the Corinthians in the first chapter as saints of the assembly and in the third chapter as the temple of God. Does the answer to this kind of rivalry and persons on partisan lines lie really in the saints as a whole being aroused to the part they have in the assembly and as temple of God?
JT And love coming into view, “Love never fails”. “All know that ye are disciples of mine, if ye have love among yourselves”. A beautiful thought.
Ques So this irresistible combination of love and authority in Paul and mutuality [p. 237] in Sosthenes would rescue us from a state of division?
JT Quite so.
Ques The house of Chloe, and Timothy are all brought into this?
JT Yes, and the house of Stephanas all joined in the work and labouring and each house would include the sisters. We have to come on to the temple of God and that “the Spirit of God dwells in you”.
Ques What is meant by the temple of God?
JT Moved by the Spirit.
Ques “The temple of God is holy, and such are ye”. Is that the abstract thought?
JT It is more than that, “such are ye”. The great liberality of the Lord is ready to help us.
Ques Would you say a little about holiness in the local setting?
JT Without holiness no one shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
Ques Is it the door by which the enemy is excluded from any situation?
JT Very good.
Rem The gates of the holy city are not closed; that is the expulsive power of the divine nature to keep out evil.
JT The gates of hades shall not prevail against the assembly now.
Ques So that we need not be deprived of temple light at any time?
JT Quite so.
Ques Do you think if the temple is to operate [p. 238] among us and light diffused it is of first importance that we must arrive at practical unity?
JT That is what we began with and I hoped we would finish with it, the idea of unity, because you cannot have the assembly functioning without unity.
Ques Otherwise there would be danger of corrupting?
JT “If any one corrupt the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye”. They were actually ‘temple’ in Corinth, they were actually that in the local sense.
Ques Why is the thought of self-deception brought in here as to temple light?
JT We may deceive ourselves but not the saints who are going on in the power of the Spirit. It is a strong word “him shall God destroy”.
Ques Does the corrupting of the temple of God have reference to the presence of the Holy Spirit? Is it seen in Ananias and Sapphira who lied to the Spirit?
JT No. They were not destroyed. They were buried. They were treated with respect. Here the thought is that God is jealous for the saints.