Spurgeon’s vision for the church
C. H. Spurgeon never wrote a systematic on ecclesiology but this survey of Spurgeon’s works reveals that the local church was very much a priority in Spurgeon’s thinking. Spurgeon ministered into a context much like today where church attendance had been sidelined in favour of an individualistic and self-serving religion. Spurgeon argued that the decline in ecclesiology was caused by ritualism, revivalism and rationalism that undermined the infallible Word of God in favour of personal experience. He held to the two marks of the true church; the right preaching of God’s Word and the right observance of God’s ordinances.
Spurgeon believed that although a person could only be saved by coming to faith in Christ individually, nonetheless their salvation is also a corporate reality, lived out in service under the headship of Christ in the body of the local church. Spurgeon couldn’t conceive of any faithful approach to the Christian life which did not find its home in the local church. The church was not an institution to dip in and out of at one’s convenience but a family to love and commit to. He wrote, ‘Before we can do anything for Christ, we must be right at home.’
The book also considers Spurgeon’s view of the church militant, an army whose calling is to proclaim Christ until the second advent and Chang beautifully compiles Spurgeon’s teaching to show how he trained, nourished and prepared his troops for warfare. Chang’s assessment of Spurgeon’s works provides a model for convictional ecclesiology. From the pulpit to the sacraments, from church order and discipline to training, planting and mission.
Spurgeon said, ‘The greatest weapon against error is the local church where the gospel is preached and the people are engaged in ministry.’ This is a helpful reminder to the complacent believer.
