“The Joy of Belonging: A study in Church Membership”
There are three places in the New Testament where the great gift of salvation is associated not only with one's personal redemption but extends to the whole family, to one's entire household. In John 4:53 the Scripture speaks of the nobleman whose sick son was healed by the word of the Lord Jesus. "So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, Thy son liveth; and he himself believed and his whole house." In Acts, chapter 11, Peter makes no apology for his apparent irreligious behavior when he is called into account by the circumcision faction in Jerusalem. Rather, "he rehearsed (or reviewed) the matter from the beginning and expounded it in order unto them ... " (verse 4). In verse 14 Peter recounts the wonderful angelic message vouchsafed to the righteous Cornelius, explaining the apostle's purpose in visiting the centurion: "Who shall tell thee words, by which thou and all thy house shall be saved." Finally, in Acts 16.31 we hear the exultant promise from the lips of Paul and Silas in response to the Philippian jailer's pleas for salvation: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and all thy house." I make mention of these blessed words of promise and assurance with the hope that many readers of this review, like those of us at this magazine, will be reassured and further encouraged regarding the salvation of unsaved family members. How many of us are waiting for, longing for, hoping for and unceasingly praying for the day when we'll hear that an unsaved brother, sister, parent, or child finally uttered that heart-cry which, alone, ushers a loved one into the family of God: "What must I do to be saved?" I mention these comforting Scriptural realities also because they seem to fit in with the overall theme and tone of this excellent little book written by Pastor Richard Dresselhaus of, and I presume, written for the Assemblies of God denomination.
The Joy of Belonging is a kind of small compendium, a sort of handbook that makes for an informative introduction to church life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this work. Even though it is short enough to be gotten through in a couple of sittings, I lingered over it many days. I can't imagine any true believer lightly skipping over such profound and thrilling themes as Justification, Salvation, Atonement, Forgiveness, Faith and Conversion. The author treats these fundamental Biblical concepts in a succinct manner. The Christian can read about them with the praise-filled joy of reassurance. The honest inquirer will find in his explanations clear guideposts directing him to the most significant turning point of his life.
The contents of this directory and guide for church life are divided into six parts: 1.) New life in Christ 2.) Christian growth 3.) Church structure 4.) The Church's mission 5.) Christian service, and 6.) The Christian home. Above all others, full gospel believers know that "... they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom. 8.8). We know that " ... by grace are ye saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2.8). So then, as Hebrews 11.6 clearly shows: "without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him". Pastor Dresselhaus stresses this most fundamental and most important element of faith, graphically illustrating it in a simple but most effective arithmetical equation: FAITH + 0 = SALVATION
Would that all Christian writers' treatment of church life, structure and service put such emphasis and more on this essential gift and fruit of the Holy Ghost that it is faith alone and what we choose and do by faith, that is pleasing to God. Unless I'm mistaken, I believe the Gospels record only two incidents where the Lord Jesus marveled at what took place. One was at the faith of the centurion whose servant was healed; the other was at the crass and blatant unbelief of the Lord's own townsfolk. I urge the reader to evaluate for himself the pleasantly presented and well-taught topics sandwiched in between the first part that deals with basic Christian principles and the last part which is concerned with the home and the family. It's hard to see how the reader can't help but be edified by the author's solid, spiritual insights into and forthright explanation of the openness of true fellowship, the exiting growth through greater appreciation of service, fuller application of the Scriptures, the stimulation of prayer and the rewards of praise-filled worship.
My heart melted with the last section on the home and family. Pastor Dresselhaus reminded fathers that: "It is the duty and privilege of the father to be the priest in his own home." He referred back to the priestly custom of Job who rose early in the morning to offer burnt offerings unto the Lord on behalf of each of his children. "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts" (Job 1.5). I'll close this review with a Scripture and a prayer. The Scripture refers to the Passover lamb: "Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, A LAMB FOR A HOUSE" (Exodus 12.3). My prayer: May every heart that has faith to receive Him, behold and take into its habitation the blessed Lamb of God whose blood was shed that it might cover the doorposts of the life and save it from destruction. THIS LAMB FOR THAT HOUSE. In the name of Jesus. Amen