14 ORDER IN THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH

“THESE things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:14, 15.COOD 66.1

The behavior here mentioned does not refer simply to the respect shown for the place of worship, but includes more especially the proper conducting of the spiritual and temporal interests of the church, the expression “house of God” referring to the church rather than to a church building. This is evident from the fact that the apostle had just been speaking of officers in the church as those who had ability to “rule well” their own houses. To persons possessing such a faculty was to be commmitted the care of the church. Paul inquires, “If a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? 1 Timothy 3:5. Such good ruling in the household the Lord commended in the case of Abraham. Of him the Lord said, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.” Genesis 18:19.COOD 66.2