The Church is a New Testament Institution

 By Wendell Winkler

By reading II Timothy  2:15 in both the King James and American Standard translations, we can see that the  Bible is to be handled aright by rightly dividing it.

An understanding of this point, and what is involved therein, is one of the most  fundamental necessities toward a correct understanding of the word of God.

 The Bible divides itself into two great divisions: the Old Testament (II Cor. 3:14), And the New Testament (II Cor. 3:16).

I. Observation I: We Are Not Under Both Testaments

 To attempt to be under both testaments is to commit spiritual adultery

(Rom. 7:1-4). Two laws with differing requirements cannot be binding upon the same people at the same time. Yet, this would be the situation if both   testaments were operative today. Consequently, the question we must settle is which testament is now binding.

  II. Observation 2: We Are Not Under the Old Testament

There are a number of reasons why this affirmation can definitely be made. (1) We are dead (separated, James 2:26) to the law, Romans: 7:1-4. (2) That written in stones (the old law, Ex. 34:29-35) is done away. 2 Cor. 3:6-18. (3) The law was to be until the seed (Christ) should come; and, Christ has come, (Gal. 3:16,29). (4) The law was our schoolmaster till faith came (Gal. 3:24,25); and faith has come, (Gal. 1:23; 3:26). (5) The allegory of the bondwoman and the freewoman proves the abrogation of the law, (Gal. 4:21-31). (6) To seek to be justified by the law is to fall from grace, (Gal. 5:4). (7) The law of commandments has been abolished, the enmity (the law) having been slain, (Eph. 2:15,16), (8) The handwriting of ordinances, the law (Eph. 2:15,16) has been blotted out, taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross. (Col. 2:14-17). (9) The priesthood

  Being changed, a change of the law was also necessary, (Heb. 7:12, 14). (10)

The prophesy of the abrogation of the law and its fulfillment show that we are no longer under the law (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb.  8:7-13). (11) The first covenant has been taken away. (Heb. 10:9).

III. Observation 3: The Old Testament Was Abrogated at Calvary.

Colossians 2:14 affirms, "blotting out the handwriting of the ordinances that was against us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross." Ephesians 2:15 identifies  "the  handwriting of ordinances" as the law. Furthermore, Ephesians 2:15 states that the law of commandments was "abolished in His flesh." Also, this passage identifies the law as "the enmity;"  then, verse 16 states that this enmity was  slain "by the cross." Accordingly, Romans 7:4 states that we became dead to the law "by the body of Christ."

 IV. Observation 4: We Are Now Under the New Testament

 This affirmation can be made upon the basis of fact that (1) we are ministers of the New Testament (2 Cor. 3:6). Also, (2) we are under the law of Christ (I Cor. 9:21).  Furthermore, (3) we are to hear Christ, God's prophet, rather than Moses (Mt. 17:5; Acts 3:23,23; Heb. 1:1-3).

V. Observation 5: The New Testament Became Operative   on the First Pentecost Following the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Our Lord.

In Hebrews 9:15-17 we read, ".he is the mediator of the new   testament.for where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth." Thus, we can see  that  the Lord's testament (New Testament) could never have become operative before his death at Calvary. Concerning that testament, Christ stated that it was to become operative "beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke  24:46,47). Such was to  obtain when they became "endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Then, in Acts 1:8; we read where the Lord stated that they would "receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon  you." Acts 2:1-4 tells us that the Holy  Spirit came on Pentecost day. Thus, we can affirm with definitive accuracy that the New Testament became operative on Pentecost day.

 VI. Observation 6: The Lords Church was established on Pentecost

(1) The direction of scripture. Verses  preceding the day of Pentecost (Isaiah 2:1-4; Dan. 2:44; Mt.  3:1-3; 4:17, 6, 10, 10:7 16:18; Lk. 19:11, 23:42, Mk. 15:43; Acts 1:7) all point to the coming to the kingdom, whereas versus following Pentecost (Acts 2:47, 8:1,  15:4; I Cor. 1:2; I Thess. 1:1; Heb. 12:28; Col. 1:13,14) all  point back to the fact that the church or kingdom has been established. Therefore, Pentecost must be the beginning day of the church in an established state.

(2) Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4. Mark 9:1 affirms that the kingdom or church was to come with power. Then, Acts 1:8 tells us that the power was to come when the Holy Spirit came. And, Acts2:1-4 states that the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost day. Thus, since the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost day, the power came on this day. But when the power came the kingdom or church was to come. Consequently, we can deduct the fact that the church was established upon the day of Pentecost.

(3) Consequences of a pre-Calvary establishment of the church. In spite of the observations just made, there are those who believe that the church was established prior to the death of our Lord. If such   were the case, the following consequences would result: (1) it would not be a New Testament church, Heb. 9:15-17; (2) Christ would not be it's head, Eph. 1:20-23; and, (3) it would be a dead church, James 2:26, John 7:39, Lk.   24:26.

VII. Observation 7: Therefore, the Lord's Church is a New Testament Institution

(1) This is affirmed by virtue of the fact that the Lord's church came into existence after the  abrogation of the law of Moses.

(2) This is affirmed by virtue of the fact that the Lord's church came into existence after/ or upon the day of the New Testament became operative.

(3) This is affirmed by virtue of the fact that the church has New Testament characteristics.  It has  (1) New Testament designations, Rom. 16:16; Acts 20:28; I Cor. 1:2; Mt. 16:18; (2) it has New Testament organization, Phil. 1:1; (3) it has a New Testament law of entrance, Acts 2:37-47; John 3:3-5; (4) it has a New Testament purpose or mission, I Tim. 3:16; Mt. 28:18-20; and (5) it has a New Testament worship, John 4:19-26; Acts 2:42.

VIII. Observation 8: Some Inescapable Deductions

 (1) We do not go to the Old Testament to find out how to be saved.

(2) We do not go to the Old Testament to learn how to live.

 (3) We do not go to the Old Testament to establish doctrinal practices.

Consequently, it is totally invalid for one to go to the Old Testament to find Biblical authority for such doctrines and practices as Sabbath keeping, mechanical  instruments of music in worship, infant baptism, sprinkling, the  burning of incense, etc.

IX. Observation 9: Relating the Fact That the Church of our  Lord is a New Testament Institution to the Mechanical  Instrumental Music Question

Those who believe that it is permissible to use mechanical instruments of music  in worship today are often heard to affirm, in an  effort to substantiate the practice, "but they had instrumental music in the Old Testament." However, be it observed that incense was also burned under the Old  Testament (Ps. 66:13-15). Too, the males went to Jerusalem thrice each  year (Deut. 16:16). Shall we begin to advocate the burning of incense and the going to Jerusalem three times a year? Indeed not ! Such matters were a part  of a law that has long since been abrogated. In like manner, the use of  mechanical instruments of music in worship to God cannot be authorized on the basis of the fact that such were used in the Old Testament. 

 Conclusion:

Worship today must be based upon the word of the truth of the gospel (John  4:24; 17:17; Eph. 1:13). And nowhere in the New Testament has God ever authorized  the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship to himself. Accordingly, to engage in such a practice is to do so without divine  authorization. Such a course always proves to be fatal as is evidenced by the account of Nadab  and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-7.

 This article used by permission - The Spiritual Sword - Vol. 10:1 pp. 30-33

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