[testallthings]

UntoHim
Spurgeon strikes again!
Quote:
I believe that, after all, there is more truth in this world now with all the apparent divisions of Christians by ten times than there would have been if we had been united in a nominal union into some one great church, which might, perhaps have rotted as thoroughly as the old Church of Rome did before the days of Luther.
and even more sharper to the point here:
Quote:
Beloved, the true church is now in the forming, and is therefore not visible. There are many churches; but as to the one church of Christ, we see it neither here nor there. We speak of the visible church; but the term is not correct. The thing which we see is a mixture of believers and mere pretenders to faith. The church which is affianced unto the heavenly Bridegroom is not visible as yet; for she is in the process of formation.

I suspect that these Spurgeon quotes came after the original one posted by testallthings. They show a "matured view" of a seasoned Christian leader, who has perhaps scene so much, and experienced so much more. The view and understandings of such a mature believer leans towards the view that the Body of Christ is a "beautiful work in progress"...a progress in which the Lord of the Harvest is fully and completely in charge. Such a seasoned believer stands firm on the solid rock of our Savior's declaration: "I Will Build My Church!"
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I could not find out when your first quote was delivered. What I find out, though, is that the second quotation and my quotations were part of the same sermon:
Sermon #2096 Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit 1
Volume 35 www.spurgeongems.org 1
“THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB”
NO. 2096
A SERMON
DELIVERED ON LORD’S-DAY MORNING, JULY 21, 1889,
BY C. H. SPURGEON,
AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE, NEWINGTON.

He spoke those words about denominations 3 years before going to be with the Lord. I agree with you that they “show a 'matured view' of a seasoned Christian Leader.”