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A Baptist Catechism with Commentary
By W. R. Downing
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Paperback, 333 Pages
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A Baptist Catechism with Commentary
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A catechism consisting of questions, answers, scriptural refrences and a commentary to each question. 331 pp.



This would be the best book you add to your library anytime soon.It is all well written and Christ centered.Any page is a bible study in and of itself.It is loaded with scripture references....here are the scriptures offered, before the scriptures used in the commentary portion:



Quest. 146: What does the word “church” signify?
Ans: The word “church” signifies a gathered assembly.
Acts 11:26. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled
themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the
disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Eph. 3:21. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout
all ages, world without end. Amen.
See also: Matt. 18:15–17; Acts 7:38; Acts 19:32, 37, 39, 41; 1 Cor.
1:2; 11:18–20; Col. 4:15; Phlm. 2.
The Gk. term ekklēsia occurs 114–115 times in the New Testament and is
translated as “church” or “assembly.” In Acts 7:38 it refers to the
congregation of Israel in the desert, and in Acts 19:37, the proper word is
“robbers of temples” [hierosulous] not “churches.” Ekklēsia denotes an
assembly, a congregation of people. It never denotes a building. In the
Septuagint [Greek Old Testament, c. 246 BC], the word is the translation of
the Heb. qahal, which also denotes a congregation or assembly. This concept
of an assembly is reflected in such terms as the Spanish Iglesia and the French
l’Eglise. The English word “church” was derived from a Gk. term [kuriakou
or kuriakon] which denoted a building “of or belonging to the Lord [Kurios],”
used when the first Christian meeting houses existed in the late third century
AD. This later use is recognizable in the Scottish Kirk and the German Kirche.
Thus, there is some confusion about the English term “church,” which has
traditionally and variously signified a congregation, a building, a
denomination, an ecclesiastical system, the aggregate of all true believers in
mystical union with Christ or the whole of Christianity throughout history.
Some hold to the concept of a “universal, invisible church” comprised of
all the elect of all ages, or at the least of all living believers world–wide at any
given time. This concept of the church confuses it with the kingdom of God.

Quest. 146: What does the word “church” signify?
Ans: The word “church” signifies a gathered assembly.
Acts 11:26. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled
themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the
disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Eph. 3:21. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout
all ages, world without end. Amen.
See also: Matt. 18:15–17; Acts 7:38; Acts 19:32, 37, 39, 41; 1 Cor.
1:2; 11:18–20; Col. 4:15; Phlm. 2.
The Gk. term ekklēsia occurs 114–115 times in the New Testament and is
translated as “church” or “assembly.” In Acts 7:38 it refers to the
congregation of Israel in the desert, and in Acts 19:37, the proper word is
“robbers of temples” [hierosulous] not “churches.” Ekklēsia denotes an
assembly, a congregation of people. It never denotes a building. In the
Septuagint [Greek Old Testament, c. 246 BC], the word is the translation of
the Heb. qahal, which also denotes a congregation or assembly. This concept
of an assembly is reflected in such terms as the Spanish Iglesia and the French
l’Eglise. The English word “church” was derived from a Gk. term [kuriakou
or kuriakon] which denoted a building “of or belonging to the Lord [Kurios],”
used when the first Christian meeting houses existed in the late third century
AD. This later use is recognizable in the Scottish Kirk and the German Kirche.
Thus, there is some confusion about the English term “church,” which has
traditionally and variously signified a congregation, a building, a
denomination, an ecclesiastical system, the aggregate of all true believers in
mystical union with Christ or the whole of Christianity throughout history.
Some hold to the concept of a “universal, invisible church” comprised of
all the elect of all ages, or at the least of all living believers world–wide at any
given time. This concept of the church confuses it with the kingdom of God.
287
Such an entity, of course, has never assembled, is not properly an assembly,
does not possess any of the attributes of a church, and thus cannot truly be
termed a “church” [ekklēsia, or gathered assembly]. It is rather a spiritual and
comprehensive concept of the mystical [spiritual] union of all true believers
with the Lord Jesus Christ, and finds no concrete expression ecclesiastically,
except in a local or gathered assembly (1 Cor. 12:27. The def. article “the”
before the word “body” is to be omitted). The idea of a “universal, invisible
church,” however, is wide–spread in Christian thought, and is axiomatic to
both Reformed and Dispensational thinking. The Sixteenth Century
Reformers, reacting against the Romish idea of a “universal visible church,”
establishing their own state churches with a similar pattern, and understanding
that not all who professed Christ were truly converted, developed the idea of
both a “visible” and an “invisible” church. The former was composed of
believers and unbelievers; the latter of only the true believers. Some hold that
this theory derived from Gnostic, Neoplatonic philosophy which saw the
visible world as the imperfect reflection of the perfect invisible world, i.e., the
world of the Platonic “ideas.”
But what of those passages where “the church” is referred to in an abstract
sense (e.g., 1 Cor. 10:32; Eph. 3:10–21; Col. 1:18)? Does this not refer to the
aggregate of all true believers who are in union with Christ as his “mystical
body”? “The One True Church”? We prefer another interpretation, which is
consonant with all the uses of the term “church” in the New Testament: first,
the local or concrete use of “church,” referring to any given assembly of
scripturally baptized believers. Second, the abstract, generic or institutional
use of the term. A common illustration is that of “the jury,” referring not to
any particular jury, but to the institution of this legal entity in the judicial
system. When such usage finds concrete expression, it is a local, visible jury.
This same principle would hold true for those statements which are often used
to refer to the “universal, invisible church.” We prefer to classify these as the
“institutional” use of the word “church,” which finds concrete expression in
the local assembly. Third, the eschatological use of the term “church,”
referring to “the general assembly [panēguris, the festal gathering of a whole
group, nation or country] and church [ekklēsia] of the firstborn” which is in
the process of being assembled in heaven. When all the elect are gathered
together from all ages, they will comprise the church [panēguris] in glory,
fully assembled for the first time (Eph. 5:27; Heb. 12:22–23; Rev. 21:2). This
three–fold usage coherently answers to every use of the term “church” in the
New Testament without violating either grammar or doctrine—or the
meaning and biblical usage of the Old Testament qahal and the New
Testament ekklēsia.
The meaning and history of the church are not self–interpreting. The New
Testament is the standard, and thus the meaning and history of the church are
to be interpreted in the light of the New Testament

Quest. 147: What is a New Testament or gospel church?
Ans: A New Testament or gospel church is a church characterized
by the distinctives of the New Testament and the gospel.
Acts 2:41–42, 47. 41Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three
thousand souls. 42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles'
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers…..
47…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
See also: Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 2:36–47; 13:1; 20:17; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph.
3:3–10; Col. 4:15; 1 Thess. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:15; Phlm. 2; Rev. 2:1.
COMMENTARY

 

Thanks, Icon, for an excellent post. It closely parallels my own view.

You cited the jury as the example of an institutional or generic concept which takes concrete expression in a real jury.

We can also use the family as a.nother example. We can talk about the breakdown in the family. But in reality, breakdowns occur only in real families

 

I think it is the biblical position , but because there is a blending of terms most do not want to think it through. the pastor who wrote the cathechism had taught on this for years.I challenged him at one point if he was a landmarker...he said no....but close to it,lol.
i cannot find fault with his teaching here, especially as he explains how people confuse the Kingdom ...with the local church...

a square is a rhombus...but a rhombus is not a square...you can check with QF on that one:laugh::laugh:

The whole Cathechism with Commentary is well written and loaded with scriptures , greek words, and solid pastoral commentary...I highly recommend it...you will not be disappointed.

 

Speaking of Landmarkism, I have to confess that have some Landmark tendencies, but don't buy the full package.

Reminds me of a phone call I got from a revered pastor in my city several years ago. He asked me if I had ever heard of the Baptist Bride view. No, I hadn't.

Hie explained that at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, only Baptists would be seated, because they are the Bride. All other believers (of other denominations, I suppose) can show up, but they will only be onlookers, not participants. So, Baptists are the true Church.

Ever heard of the Baptist Bride before?

 

I have! I was raised to believe that! It is hogwash!

 

Exactly!
From earthly, man point of view, it is the local churches that preach/teach Jesus, and uphold evangelical fath/practices

From Heavenly, God view point, its ONE Church comprimised of all the saved in those local churches!

 

Only those under the new coveannt are in the Church, correct, that there would not be pre Cross persons in Body of Christ, but just in his kingdom? So how can the Body be "just" the Kingdom, and not his Church?

 

I don't think the Body is the kingdom. It is a church. That's the point. People talk about the church when they really are talking about the kingdom.

 

When i began to adopt a strong local church view...i had some try to accuse me of it.I looked into it and rejected it.I also read the trail of blood pamphlet and although it is usually discredited as not sustainable....I think it overall is very close to the truth.

To me it gets awkward for several reasons. I have to align with some of the anabaptists.....seems like that was a mix of solid and not so solid churches.
Some of the groups who are demonized are also a mix.....waldenses, cathari, donatists, etc. I am not an expert at all on church history.
Even at that...it depends of which history books you read from.

Was the author a catholic, a protestant, a baptist, an unbeliever .It affects what and how the history is presented. I have read some on it,and have charts and so on...but it is still not so clear to me.

Overall I understand God has always had His people and always will.

 

What you see as the "universal church"...will not be universal....or a church until the last day.

The kingdom {or rule} of God is worldwide now with a mix of wheat and tares.
Individual christians are translated into the Kingdom of Light at regeneration as they are in saving union with Christ. Unbelievers live with us and yet they are in rebellion to the King.[we will not have this man to reign over us.]

The Church is when the wheat gathers in a local assembly with the ordinances , ordained elders, and Christ as it's head. It exists in local assemblies worldwide....in the midst of Christ's enemies.
The church [assembly} is a church when it assembles. An unassembled,assembly...does not exist.

When people assembly at a ballgame...they are not a church.Individual christians in the ballpark, do not make that assembly a church.

 

What church does God see/ the Church of the firstborn! All of those who have been saved siince time of jesus until now!

 

Yeshua1

Jesus did not have any trouble identifying local churches ,,,local and individual in REV 2-3...and also each individual saint.
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write;
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write;
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write;
the church in Philadelphia
the church of the Laodiceans write;
I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

 

I was stating that the Lord sees only one Church, His Church, whic would be all the saved, and those are residing in various local churches, here on earth!

MOT that all local churches together are what it is, but that some in it are in local churches when they meet/assemble!