The question Jesus asked: “The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven, or of men?” Simple question: From heaven…of men? Tied up in that question was a great deal more than appeared on the surface. They began to reason. “Well, now, let me see here. If we say ‘the baptism of John was from heaven,’ we can’t keep Him from asking the next question, “Well, why did you not receive it?” We’re not prepared to answer that second question, either. On the other hand, if we say that the baptism of John was from men, then the crowd will know of it, and they will be most unhappy because they thought it was a prophet. Oh,” they said, “we just can’t answer.”

Now, I want to go back and think about that little question again: “From heaven, or of men?” It is important to observe that the same word is translated in the English text by two different words. Is it FROM heaven, or OF men? The Greek word there means “out of.” Jesus was asking its origin. Did the baptism of John originate OUT OF heaven? AND, this word becomes extremely important. Did John’s baptism originate with God, OR originate with men? J. B. Phillips renders this, “Out of (or from) heaven, or is it purely human?” Purely human?

That is a very interesting thought to think about. In matters religious, what do we say? Is it from heaven, OR of men? In regard to the church, that’s a very important question to ask. As we noted in the earlier session [Lessons From Pentecost], there is a view of the church that views it as “of men.” That is, it originates of men; it arises out of a particular culture or generation, and a subsequent generation can change as it will. If a civic club, for example, has been in existence for a hundred years, and the members of that club want to make some changes, they have processes by which these changes can be proposed, passed, rejected, whatever. AND, if certain changes are proposed in harmony with the bylaws, whatever, changes could be made. It is “of men.” It can be changed “of men.” Is that the church? Is that the way the church is? OR, is the church divine? If it is divine, we are not at liberty to treat it as if it were “of men.”

Now, with that as a kind of entrée, think with me for a moment or two about the promise of Jesus. In Matthew, chapter 16, a lengthy quotation, but it has to do with the promise of Christ, “Upon this rock I…will…build…My church.” The word translated “build” there in the lexicons is said to “build from the foundation; to begin at the foundation; and to construct upon that foundation what Jesus identified as “My church.” It is uniquely and specifically HIS. That is to say, He is the One Whose Words have anticipated its establishment. He is the One Whose death provided the atonement whereby the church could be purchased unto Christ. He is the head of this church, and He is the One Who, at the end of this world, will call the redeemed to live with God eternally. So, He said, “It is MY church.” Divine. I do not know of anyone who would deny that Jesus was talking about a divine church on that occasion…not of men, but OF God.

There are several accounts of the establishing of churches in the book of Acts. I have selected three of these, and I want to think with you about them for a few moments.

The Church in the City of Jerusalem

First of all, the church in the city of Jerusalem : On the Day of Pentecost, as we noted in part earlier, there was the preaching of the Gospel. The inspired Peter and the rest of the apostles were asked, “…what shall we do?” On that occasion, Peter instructed them:  They were to repent and be baptized, and they were to do so for the remission of sins in the Name of Jesus Christ.  And it is said that some 3,000 of them were baptized. Later on in the book of Acts, chapter 8, we read about the church which was in Jerusalem.

Now, a question: What about that church in Jerusalem: Was it from God, or of men? Was it divine in its origin, or was it of men? Did it arise out of the wishes and thoughts of just Peter, and James, and John and the rest of the apostles, and the hundred twenty [who were in the upper room, Acts 1:12-15]? Did they get together somewhere in the city of Jerusalem, and say, “Oh, well, now, what are we going to do?”

“Well, now, I propose that we establish a church. How many in favor?”

“Well, I am.”

“Okay!”

“What will we call it?”

“Well, we’ll call it this.”

“Well, what will we do in worship?”

“Well, we’ll vote this and that and finally say…”

“Alright.”

Is that what happened? Certainly not!

Now, that church. Was it of God, or of men? So far as I know, there isn’t a person who believes the New Testament who would question that the church in Jerusalem was divine in its origin and nature.