National Church Establishments
James Dodson
There are two contending views of the nature of the nationhood: First, That of the Voluntaries, who believe that nations are voluntary associations, humanly contrived associations, composed of men united together for mutual help, or defence. According to their principles, nations are...
There are two propositions necessary for the clearing of this: First, There is nothing but a church which can be a nation, Mic. 4:5; and that in order to be nations, which shall be blessed and abiding nations, it is necessary for the nations to become churches, Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:8. The church...
There are six propositions necessary for the clearing that, though scattered communities of Christians, or even great ecclesiastical corporations, may be expressions of true churches, 1 Pet. 1:1, 2; only a nation can be the proper manifestation of the church, Gal. 6:16: First, There is nothing...
There are numerous verses from the beginning of the Bible which indicate that God has dealt with the nations with a view of their becoming churches, by which the national character of the Gospel clearly appears: First, In the very creation of man, prior to the fall, God gives man a command to subdue and have dominion over...
There are numerous verses, many containing promises, by which the national character of the Gospel clearly appears in the Old Testament: First, In the Decalogue, which is itself a summary of the whole Word of God, Ps. 119:17, 18; is the Fourth commandment, which, if we place Christ risen in it, it places the Gospel before our eyes, by making Him the Lord...
There are numerous passages in the New Testament which indicate that there has been no change in the divine plan for the nations: First, In the various passages at the ends of the Gospels we find confirmation of the national intent of the Gospel message: 1.) The so-called “Great Commission,” given to the apostles, expresses...
The national, not merely individual, character of Christ’s work is set forth in the consideration of His work as the second Adam: First, It must be observed that His work was unquestionably that of One acting in the capacity of a second Adam, Rom. 5:14; 1 Cor. 15:21, 22. Second, In the creation, as well as redemption...
The national, not merely individual, character of Christ’s work is set forth in the consideration of His work as the One greater than Abraham. We must examine the points of similarity and contrast: First, Abram is called out of his country and from his father’s house to become a great nation and bring blessing to many people, Gen. 12:1-3; Christ left His Father’s house, heaven, and came into...
The national, not merely individual, character of Christ’s work is set forth in the consideration of His work as the like unto Moses. The character of redemption contemplated in and through Moses yields the following points of similarity and contrast: First, Moses was born at a time when the church of God (i.e., Israel) was in bondage to a pagan empire (i.e., Egypt), Ex. 1:8-14; Christ was born at a time when...
The national, not merely individual, character of Christ’s work is set forth in the consideration of His work as the son of David. The regal title and royal descent all yield points of similarity and contrast which bear upon His relations to the nations: First, The last words of David invite a comparison...
Since Christ’s work has nations, as distinct jurisdictions, especially in view, Mark 11:17; and the Gospel itself is presented as a national Gospel, Rom. 16:26; and since nations have had their first rise, God has dealt with them in terms of the true religion, Ps. 67:2; it should be apparent that the Church’s mission is supremely...
By a dependent National Church is meant a multitude of people professing Christianity (i.e., saving faith in Christ), inhabiting one nation, withone civil government wherein the governors are Christian and one church government established by law over particular congregations with all bound together in one national covenant; by an independent Congregational Church is meant a particular body...
Though it may be little disputed that the church of the Jews was established and national, Isa. 43:1; yet, it remains to be discussed whether or not this national church way is under the Gospel still a matter of divine approbation: First, When the prophets foretell the enlargement of the church in the ...
As the prophets of the Old Testament, so Jesus Christ Himself after them, when He was upon earth, foretold the coming of national churches under the Gospel to succeed the Jewish church in their most excellent church privileges, Matt. 21:43: First, By the kingdom...
As God has committed to magistrates the duty of keeping the public peace, Eccl. 8:2-5 ; so, too, we are to seek our peace in the peace of the nation in which we reside, Jer. 29:7. Magistrates are to achieve this peace in a twofold...
The general duties of magistrates must be constrained by two overriding principles of concern: First, It is the duty of all men to study the glory of God in all departments of life, especially their callings, Eccl. 9:10; Col. 3:23; apart from which they only plow in sin, Prov. 21:4. So, too, kings...
When we consider the national establishment in Israel, we must bear in mind that the Temple, though under the spiritual jurisdiction of the priests, Joel 1:9; 2:17; yet, it was a state sanctuary which was built and maintained by...