Brief notes for mid-week Bible study.
Initially posted here: https://www.facebook.com/sdcpenang/posts/2605684246340039
Initially posted here: https://www.facebook.com/sdcpenang/posts/2605684246340039
1689.26.14 The Duty of Fellowship among Like-minded Churches
“As each church, and
all the members of it, are bound to pray continually for the good and
prosperity of all the churches of Christ,27 in all places, and upon all
occasions to further every one within the bounds of their places and callings,
in the exercise of their gifts and graces, so the churches, when planted by the
providence of God, so as they may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought
to hold communion among themselves, for their peace, increase of love, and
mutual edification.28 27 Eph. 6:18; Ps. 122:6 28 Rom. 16:1,2; 3 John 8-10
1. The Divine
Mandate for inter-church fellowship
a. The duty stated:
“As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continually…”
- The warrant for
this duty of each local church is the love and oneness in Christ which He
commands of His people.
b. The design of the
duty: “…for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ …”
- The key and basic
element for such fellowship is the faithful prayers for the good and spiritual
prosperity of each other, Eph 6:18.
c. The scope of the
duty: “… of all the churches of Christ, in all places, and upon all occasions…”
- The phrase “of all
the churches of Christ” must not be understood in its absolute sense, but
within its providential limitations which follow, i.e. “the churches, when
planted by the providence of God…”
- There are abundant
scriptural examples of fellowships of local churches in a region, e.g. churches
of Galatia (Gal 1:2), of Judea (Gal 1:22), of Macedonia (2Cor 8:1), etc. These
are all regional names.
- These churches in
a region are mentioned together because they are related to each other in some
definite ways.
- There are
cooperation and communication among these churches... see 2Cor 8:1,18-19.
d. The desired
mutual spiritual benefits of the duty
“… to further every
one within the bounds of their places and callings, in the exercise of their
gifts and graces…”
- “to further every
one”: assist to progress or development, to prosper, edify, to advance the
cause of Christ
- “Every one” refers
to each local church; each local church, for all practicality, is within the
bounds of their places and callings.
- When each local
church is furthered in the exercise of their gifts and graces towards other
local churches, then the cause of Christ among those is advanced cooperatively,
e.g.
: combined
gatherings for fellowship.
: help support
gospel work from other churches (Rm 16:1-3; 3Jn 8-10; 2Jn 5-11);
: combined
benevolence for needy saints in other churches (Rm 15:26; 2Cor 8:1-4,16-24,
9:12-15);
: frequent
communication with other churches (Col 1:3-7; 2:1; 4:7-12).
2. The Divine
Providence for the fellowship of like-minded churches
a. A church of
Christ is where it is by the providence of God
- “…so the churches,
when planted by the providence of God…”
- It is by God’s
wise providence that the churches of Jesus Christ were planted in a region… of
different make-up, gifts, and graces, etc.; it makes sense for them to have
fellowship… for mutual edification…
b. The
design/purpose of God’s providence for the churches in a geographical region
- “…so as they may
enjoy opportunity and advantage for it…”
c. The implication
of God’s providence for such churches
- “… ought to hold
communion among themselves..."
d. The mutual
benefits of such inter-church fellowship
- “…for their peace,
increase of love, and mutual edification.”
=======
1689.26.15
Like-minded churches bearing one another’s burden.
The last two
paragraphs of chapter 26 deal with inter-church fellowship, obviously of
like-minded churches. Amos 3:3 - Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
- applies to churches as well.
1689.26.15
In cases of
difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration,
wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church, in
their peace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are
injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order:
it is according to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding communion
together, do, by their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in
or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches
concerned;29 howbeit these messengers assembled, are not intrusted with any
church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches
themselves, to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons; or to
impose their determination on the churches or officers.30
29 Acts
15:2,4,6,22,23,25 30 2 Cor. 1:24; 1 John 4:1
1. Various Issues
will arise in and among the like-minded churches
a. “In cases of
difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration,
wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church, in
their peace, union, and edification…”
- In any society or
group of people, difficulties and differences are bound to occur; many of these
are benign n nature, others are malignant and harmful to a church or the
fellowship of churches.
- Christ Jesus, the
Head and Lord of His Church, has laid down rules how churches that are called
by His name are to deal/handle these concerns, whether within a church, or
among the like-minded churches.
- There must be no
room or toleration for anarchy or lawlessness; Christ’s Headship of the church
has practical implications. Christ the Lord is honoured when…1Co 14:40 Let all
things be done decently and in order.
- It is in the best
interest of each one, members and churches, when Christ’s Headship is mutually
submitted unto.
b. “either in point
of doctrine or administration…”
- doctrine:
pastor/church deviating from the Scripture, contrary to the Doctrinal
Statement, etc.
- administration:
miscarriage of justice, a pastor lording over the Lord’s flock, a church aping
the world, etc.
-
c. “… wherein either
the churches in general are concerned, or any one church…”
- Those difficulties
and differences may be issues affecting all the like-minded church, two
particular churches, or just within a church.
-
d. “… in their
peace, union, and edification…”
- NOT all
difficulties and differences are capable of disturbing the peace, union
(fellowship), and edification of the like-minded churches.
- BUT those that do,
then they need to be attended to. The same applies to the local church context.
e. “… or any member
or members of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not
agreeable to truth and order…”
- miscarriage of
justice towards any member or members in any proceeding in censures contrary to
the Lord’s rules. - Officially raise the matter with a like-minded church
2. Like-minded are
to meet for consultation and advice over the issues
a. “…it is according
to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding communion together, do, by
their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that
matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned…”.
- “… it is according
to the mind of Christ…” it is the rule of Christ for the churches to deal with
the issues arisen orderly and truthfully.
b. “… that many
churches holding communion together…´
- These are
like-minded church; therefore, they are capable of walking together, Amos 3:3.
c. “… do, by their
messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference…”
- The messengers
represent their respective churches, gather to hear and consider the issues at
hand…
- They are to give
their advice on the matters considered; explanation, demonstration, etc.
d. “… to be reported
to all the churches concerned…”
- That the issues
involved and the advice of the representatives of those churches may be made
known.
3. This assembly for
consultation is NOT of the essence of jurisdiction, but fellowship ONLY
a. “… howbeit these
messengers assembled, are not intrusted with any church-power properly so
called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any
censures either over any churches or persons; or to impose their determination
on the churches or officers.”
b. “howbeit”: an
adverb nevertheless or however.
- Even though these
are official representatives of churches and assembled formally, nevertheless
they are NOT entrusted with any church power, properly so-called.
- Christ’s headship
over the church, thus the Independency of the local church under Christ alone,
is jealously guarded by the Particular Baptists who author this Confession of
Faith.
- The same matter is
stated line upon line, line upon line to indicate the propensity and
inclination of such an assembly to usurp the authority of Christ alone over
each local church.
- “… or with any
jurisdiction over the churches themselves…”
- “… to exercise any
censures either over any churches or persons…”
- “… or to impose
their determination on the churches or officers.”
Conclusion
a. Like-minded
churches in a region are bound together in their fellowship in Christ in order
to promote peace, increasing love and mutual edification. Fellowship is
necessary for these things.
b. The
independency/autonomy and the fellowship of churches are NOT contradictory. Fellowship is NOT of the essence of jurisdiction or government.
- Knowledge (eg. the
doctrinal commitment of a church) and communication are prerequisites to love and
edification, while lack of knowledge breeds suspicion and division. cp 1Jn
4:1-3; Rm 16:1-3; 2Cor 9:12-15.
- It is a duty,
therefore, to maintain this knowledge and communication to cultivate greater
fellowship. Christ has appointed communion among local churches to promotes
these spiritual benefits.
c. - Consultation
and advice in cases of difficulties, differences and injuries (ie. disciplinary
proceedings not consistent with the
Word and correct order) between churches or in the church.
- The biblical basis
for such assemblies (the gathering of representatives from the associated
churches) is the biblical doctrine of seeking counsel and not being wise in our
own eyes. (Pr 3:5-7). Such assemblies are also required by the biblical
necessity of endeavoring to preserve unity. (Eph 4:1-3).
- There is a strict
limitation of such an assembly - it gives advice about the matter in dispute.
The assembly is strictly advisory. The advice is reported to all the churches
concerned.
