The Fundamentals edited by R. A. Torrey (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 22 (Rome, the antagonist of the nation) and 23 (The true church).
Firstly, today, Foster teaches us about Roman Catholicism. He gives us two facts:
(i) Rome is the nation's antagonist because it is a corrupt and corrupting system of falsehood and idolatry that pollutes our land;
(ii) Rome is the nation's antagonist because it is a political system of foreign despotism.
Then Ryle tells us that the true church is a church:
(i) composed of all believers in the Lord Jesus;
(ii) in which all the members have the same marks;
(iii) which is dependent upon no ministers upon the earth;
(iv) whose existence does not depend on forms;
(v) which the Scriptural titles of present honor and privilege, and the promises of future glory, especially belong;
(vi) which possesses true unity and sanctity ;
(vii) which is truly Catholic and apostolic;
(viii) which is certain to endure to the end;
(ix) which does the work of Christ upon earth;
(x) which shall be truly glorious at the end;
(xi) which a man must belong, if he would be saved.
But I liked Ryle's chapter. Particularly this part about church ministers: 'It is a Church which is dependent upon no ministers upon earth, however much it values those who preach the Gospel to its members. The life of its members does not hang upon church-membership, and baptism, and the Lord's Supper-although they highly value these things, when they are to be had. But it has only one great Head one Shepherd, one chief Bishop and that is Jesus Christ. He alone, by His Spirit, admits the members of this Church, though ministers may show the door. Till He opens the door no man on earth can open it neither bishops, nor presbyters, nor convocations, nor synods. Once let a man repent and believe the Gospel, and that moment he becomes a member of this Church. Like the penitent thief, he may have no opportunity of being baptized ; but he has that which is far better than any water-baptism the baptism of the Spirit. He may not be able to receive the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper; but he eats Christ's body and drinks Christ's blood by faith every day he lives, and no minister on earth can prevent him. He may be excommunicated by ordained men, and cut off from the outward ordinances of the professing Church; but all the ordained men in the world cannot shut him out of the true Church.'
Minister's are indeed a blessing to the church, but the church is not dependent upon them for salvation.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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