“What is the centre round which God’s assembly is gathered? The centre is Christ—the living Stone, as we read in the Epistle of Peter, “To whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (chap. ii. 4, 5). It is around the person of a living Christ then, that God’s assembly is gathered. It is not round a doctrine, however true; nor round an ordinance, however important; but round a living, divine Person. This is a great cardinal and vital point which must be distinctly seized, tenaciously held, and faithfully and constantly avowed and carried out. “To whom coming.” It is not said “To which coming.” We do not come to a thing, but to a Person. “Let us go forth therefore unto Him” (Heb. xiii.). The Holy Ghost leads us only to Jesus. Nothing short of this will avail. We may speak of joining a church, becoming a member of a congregation, attaching ourselves to a party, a cause, or an interest. All these expressions tend to darken and confuse the mind, and hide from our view the divine idea of the assembly of God. It is not our business to join anything. When God converted us, He joined us by His Spirit to Christ and to all the members of Christ, and that should be enough for us. Christ is the only centre of God’s assembly.”
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Wow. My wife introduced me to Mackintosh’s writings. What a blessing he is.
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Yes, I’ve been blown away by the depth of his spirit and the revelation of Christ and the church that he has! His writings are a gold mine! Thanks for the comment Tobie.
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this is such an encouraging paragraph! When we gather together Christ is our center, and not any doctrine – no matter how sound it may be! May the Lord have mercy on all His believers that they would DROP anything else or anyone else in whose name they may gather, and they would just come INTO HIS NAME, that is, into His very Person, to enjoy Him, worship Him, and minister Him to one another!
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Well said, my brother! Thanks for a spot on comment!
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The gathering to things eventually leads to separation, judgement, and ruin. The gathering “in” Christ, through Christ, and for Christ knows nothing but unity and Life.
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Amen, and amen!
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Amen. What a quote – thank you for posting this. I love C.H. Mackintosh’s writings a lot, for the same reasons you have mentioned: his being so much Christ-focused.
Thank you and God bless you.
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Thank you as well. There is such a sweet anointing and approbation of the Spirit on that which centers in and testifies of Christ. How blessed we are to fellowship in and around such a glorious One! Blessings to you in Hungary as you hold forth the Word of Life, Jesus!
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Greetings my Brother David! It was a blessing to be able to discuss your recent post, in person. Thank-you
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Always a pleasure to spend time together around Christ (and food :-)). Love you, my brother.
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