The apostle Paul declared that the Ephesian believers were “builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit”. What greater object can be conceived for the bonding together of men and women? What other community of people is of equal importance? The object of their unity being no less than the praise of the glory of God’s grace, and their own edification in the faith of the gospel. What importance therefore is attached to the doctrine of the church – what it is and how it is to be rightly ordered. A disordered church detracts from God’s grace and dishonours the Lord Jesus Christ. How important therefore to have a right understanding of what the Church is, and the pattern given in the Bible for its right structure and governance.
John H Gosden (1880-1964) was pastor at Priory Chapel, Maidstone and editor of The Gospel Standard magazine. This book contains articles he wrote for The Gospel Standard on the Church, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.