Your Position Tested
The sermon emphasizes the importance of adhering to the apostles' doctrine for true fellowship and guidance in the Christian faith.
George Cutting challenges the congregation to imagine the early disciples like Peter, James, and John living in modern times, meeting in the simplicity of divine order as at the beginning, free from denominational labels and human rules, solely focused on the fellowship of the apostles and the breaking of bread in remembrance of Christ. He emphasizes the importance of leaving sectarian ground and embracing the apostles' doctrine to experience true fellowship and unity in Christ, guided by the eternal Word that the apostles lived by.
Text
Now, with these simple facts before us, suppose that Peter, James, and John, with a few others of the early disciples, should have lived until the present day, say in one of our towns, and that they were still meeting in the simplicity of divine order as at the beginning; i. e. gathered together in the Name of the Lord Jesus (compare Matt. 18:20 with John 20:19), remembering Him in the breaking of bread on the first day of the week, and waiting for His coming again (examine Acts 20:7; 1 Cor, 11:23-26); maintaining scriptural discipline (see 1 Cor. 5:9-13; 1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Tim. 4:2; Titus 2:15; Gal. 6:1); endeavouring to maintain the truth in practice that "there is one body" (Eph. 4:3, 4); and recognizing the presence and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst to guide by the Holy Ghost whom He will and as He will, whether in worship or ministry, thereby ignoring, of course, all human rules and every vestige of what is merely man's usurped authority.
Now calmly pause for a moment, and ask yourself the question just referred to: "To what denomination would THEY belong?" It will surely not take much spiritual discernment to answer that question with a very decided negative; and, "Of course," you will say, "none at all."
But, to bring the question somewhat nearer home, if you were living in that very town yourself, would not you like to have the apostles' fellowship? I am sure you would. Well, then, in order to get it, you must first leave every kind of sectarian ground set up by man since the beginning of the Church's history upon earth, and accept, with its consequences, the "apostles' doctrine."
Then, having got up on their ground of "fellowship," you would have the privilege of expressing it with them in the "breaking of bread." "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the fellowship of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the fellowship of the body of Christ?" (1 Cor. 10:16). But you may say, perhaps, that the apostles are not living on the earth now. Well but, thank God, their doctrine is-"the Word which liveth and abideth for ever"; and that puts me in this day on the same ground of fellowship that they were upon in that day; i. e. if I submit to be guided and governed by it.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The simplicity of divine order in early discipleship - Gathering in the Name of the Lord Jesus - Breaking of bread and waiting for His coming
- II points: - Maintaining scriptural discipline - Recognizing the one body in Christ - The role of the Holy Ghost in guidance
- III points: - The question of denominational identity - The importance of apostles' doctrine - Expressing fellowship through the breaking of bread
- IV points: - The relevance of the apostles' doctrine today - The eternal nature of God's Word - Submitting to the guidance of Scripture
Key Quotes
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the fellowship of the blood of Christ?” — George Cutting
“The bread which we break, is it not the fellowship of the body of Christ?” — George Cutting
“Thank God, their doctrine is 'the Word which liveth and abideth for ever'.” — George Cutting
Application Points
- Seek to gather in the simplicity of divine order as modeled by the early church.
- Prioritize the apostles' doctrine in your personal and communal faith practices.
- Recognize the ongoing relevance of Scripture in guiding your spiritual journey.