The
Church of God
What it Means to Belong
A Review by Jay Green
The
sub-title is, What It Means to Belong? The author outlines what are the
privileges of membership in a local church, and what are the responsibilities
attached to such membership. Though extolling the value of private worship
through prayer and praise, Fortner expresses the opinion that public worship is
even more important. He cites the many mentions in the Psalms of going into the
house of God for worship, accompanied by like-minded persons. This is his
reasoning: "Each local congregation of believers is the house and temple
of the living God (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 1 Tim. 3:15). God reveals His blessings and
instructs His people in His temple, His church. It is in this
place that God speaks to men by His Spirit through the Word" (p. 5).
The historic Baptist position is taken regarding the makeup of the church, the
government of the church, etc. The church is not a building, says Fortner. The
church is the congregation, wherever they may meet. Being a Baptist of the same
stripe, this reviewer certainly recommends the book. We did not agree with the
application of the parable of the tares, which the Author takes to mean that we
are not to seek to uproot the tares, but to leave the goats among the sheep and
allow Christ to separate them. The usual result of this is that the goats butt
the believers so aggressively that they disturb the worship, and very often
drive the believers out as well. Also, the firm statement that one must attend
church to worship brings up the question so prevalent today, where one is to
find a church where true worship is being held. There are many communities,
whole cities, where no such church is to be found. This does not negate the
stands taken in this book for the normal operation of a church of the living
God. But would it not be helpful to address whether people are to attend a
church where Jesus Christ is all but ignored, if not downright denigrated,
while the will of man is nurtured week end and week out? We recommend it. JG