The 1689 Confession of Faith - A midweek bible study notes
Chapter 26 - Of the Church
The Priority of the Local Church Government (26:10)
(1689.26.10) The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him;19 it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability,20 so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled in secular affairs;21 and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others;22 and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who has ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.23
Paragraph 9 spells out how the officers of the two offices in the church are to be called and set apart for the work of the respective offices.
Paragraph 10 states the work of the office of pastors/teachers, and honour due to them.
1. The chief features in the administration of Christ's rule in a local church
a. "The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him ... "
- This expresses the priority of the local church government. Its central function is administering the rule of Christ through the faithful proclamation of the word of God.
- The ministry of the word is the chief manner in which the rule of Christ over His church is exercised. In the ministry of His word, His will and commands – principally, what we are to believe and what duties we owe to Him - are made known to His people, Mt 28:20 “… teaching them to observe whatsoever things I have commanded you.”
b. Not a few have denied the NT office of pastors-teachers in the local church.
- Such people have sincerely perverted the biblical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers; they are sincerely misguided. Such an erroneous view can have devastating effects on the church. They repudiate the order ordained by Christ for the right and due administration of His rule in His churches.
- Therefore, the continuing teaching office (Eph 4:12) understandably has as its unique requirement the ability to teach the word of God. 1Tim 3, Titus 1.
- There are great temporal consequences dependent upon the faithful performance of this duty and diligent attendance to this ordinance, 1Tim 4:15-16.
- The elders rule faithfully by applying the authoritative word of God; they bring the word of God to bear upon the minds, hearts, and wills of the sheep of Christ.
- They themselves have no inherent power; they exercise the rule by administering the word of God upon the consciences of the people under their rule. 1Tim 5:17
c. The primary aspect of the local church government is *formative discipline*, i.e. govern through the moulding and forming of sound beliefs and godly characters by the word of God. Titus 2:11-15.
- *Corrective discipline* is secondary in that it is exercised only when the formative discipline does not achieve its divinely ordained purpose.
- Formative discipline faithfully exercised will minimize the corrective discipline. It will never be eradicated!! So be prepared to exercise corrective discipline.
2. The chief work and sphere of ministry of NT pastors/teachers
a. NT pastors/teachers calling: '…constantly to attend the service of Christ...'
- Christ’s servants are called to attend to the service of Christ, services that Christ requires of His servants, not what churchmen require of them. 2Ti 2:4
b. NT pastors' sphere of ministry: '... in his [Christ's] churches...'
- Christ’s servants are given to the churches, to minister in His churches.
- There is a place for para-church organisations; but they are not the church of Christ.
c. NT pastors' central tasks: '... in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching over their souls...'
- "with watching over their souls..." through the constant ministry of the words and prayers, bringing the word of Christ to bear upon their lives and circumstances.
d. NT pastors' accountability: '... as they that must give an account to Him.' Christ alone is their Master, they are His servants, given to the churches; they are under-shepherds.
3. The Respect and Honour Due to the Minister of the Gospel
a. “… it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability…”
- “incumbent on”: necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility.
- All due respect is owed to Christ’s servants not only because of their office but also their calling/works. Heb 13:7,17
b. 1Tim 5:17-18 describes material support as 'honour'.
- What is honour? What is the immediate context? What is double honour? cp (Mt 27:6-9; Acts 4:34; 5:2-3; 7:16). Who is to be doubly honoured?
- Gal 6:6 describes material support as 'sharing', partaking. What is to be shared? All good things. Withhold no good things from them.
- To whom are they to be shared? Them who are formally, regularly and systematically teach the word of God.
- 1Cor 9:13-14 describes material support as a 'living'. Who should have a living? What is to be earned?
- Those who value the labour of the servants of Christ will find themselves blessed with valuable labour.
- The church is expected to discharge its obligation according to its ability; what comfort, it’s not above and beyond our ability. Act 1:29.
c. The ground and basis of this duty towards the ministers of the gospel
- “… and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who has ordained that they that preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
- required by the law of nature: 1Cor 9:6ff. examples from soldiering, farming, shepherding
- required by the express order of Christ:
- examples from the Temple services in the old covenant.
4. Some reasons why pastors/teachers are to be supported
a. “…so as they may have a comfortable supply …”
- The basic needs may be met, just like that of other families in the church.
b. “…without being themselves entangled in secular affairs…”
- Pastors always ought to be willing to augment their needs if the church, for various reasons, is not able to provide a comfortable supply; but they ought not to neglect their calling and ministry.
- If necessity causes a pastor/teacher to be entangled in secular affairs, then then the ministry will suffer.
c. “and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others…”
- Hospitality is specifically mentioned because it often imposes a substantial financial burden.
- Pastors’ homes are visited by more people than you ever know… which explains why “an overseer must be hospitable.”
