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Chapter 26 - Of the Church
The Ministry of the Word is Not Exclusive to the Ordained Officers (26:11)
(1689.26.11) "Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.
24 Acts 11:19-21; 1 Pet. 4:10,11 Rom 12:3-8
1. The office and work of the bishop/pastors reiterated
a. “Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office…”
- “Although…”: in spite of the fact. What’s the fact?
- “incumbent”: necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility. What’s the reason? By way of calling/office.
- “be instant”: to be at hand, in the state of readiness. Why?
- It is the calling and work of the office. They are ready for any opportunity. Their office requires them to be instant in the work preaching the word.
- “of the churches”: the risen Lord Jesus Christ gives pastors and teachers (one category, i.e. pastors are primarily teachers) to His churches; they pastor/shepherd the flock of God chiefly through teaching them the word of God.
b. “yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them…”
- “yet”: in spite of that; nevertheless.
- Nevertheless, the fact DOES NOT imply that the work of preaching the word is restricted to the office bearers, i.e. pastors. In some denominations, the preaching of the word is restricted to the office of elders. Some too broad, others too narrow.
- But the work of preaching the word is not confined exclusively to the ordained pastors; to insist otherwise is to be wiser than Christ, the Head of His church; it also ignores the teaching of Scriptures. Rom 12:3-8
2. The work of preaching may be performed by others
a. “but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.” The specific context here is preaching in the public ministry.
- There are others in the church ALSO gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for the public ministry of the word; they are capable of preaching the word, even those they have not been called to the ministry.
- Although these are also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit, yet they are not similarly called by Christ. They have other vocational callings.
- One does not need to be called by Christ in order to exercise his gift to edify the church.
- One doesn't have to be called to the office in order to perform the functions of the office! (eg. you don't need to be called to the office of a pastor-teacher to perform this function of a pastor-teacher!). There are (however few they may be) men gifted and qualified by the Holy Spirit who are not called to the ministry for various reasons.
Q. How does this fact (i.e. there are others in the church ALSO gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it) reflect on the wisdom of Christ towards His church?
Please give some reasons.
b. “… and approved and called by the church…”
- approval presupposes some knowledge of the same. Don’t buta-buta invite any Tom, Dick or Mary to the pulpit; be wary of those who invite themselves too. Don’t be guilty of dereliction of duty.
- “… called by the church…” is not the same as called by Christ. The church is more than the officers.
- The church must guard her pulpit: only those approved and called by the church are to preach minister the word in her midst. The church must exercise her Christ-given authority and power to guard her pulpit well.
c. “… may and ought to perform it.”
- “may”: having the sanction of Christ as well as the approval of the church. It is, therefore, proper to perform it when the opportunity/occasion arises.
- “ought”: indicates a duty and responsibility. Why? Good stewardship of the gift to edify the body of Christ, and other saints. It is both a duty and honour to do it when called upon.
- When approved and called upon, it is an honour to render it.
3. Ye ought to be teachers - some related matters
a. Heb 5:12 “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”
- This is addressed to believers generally…
- “ye ought”: expresses a just and reasonable expectation.
- All believers ought to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ to a level making them capable of imparting the gospel truth to others without difficulties… at home, at work, etc.
b. 1Pet 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
- This is addressed to believers generally.
- We are to grow to a point where we are grounded sufficiently in the word of God to be ready always to minister to every man, whether sincere inquirers or gainsayers or disputers.
c. Jas 3:1 “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”
- “Masters”: didaskalos (not kurios) i.e. instructors, teachers.
- This is addressed to believers generally.
- Some men are gifted and equipped by the Holy Spirit, though not called, might be too eager to preach the word of God. This passage is a caution to them.
d. 1Ti 2:12 “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”
- Women Christians have ample opportunities to teach the word of God in diverse situations; the Lord forbids them that office and work which the Lord has reserved for the pastors/teachers He gives to His churches.
- “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen 2:16-17
Questions
1. Christ 'has given all the commands and rules for the due and right exercise of this power.
-State some of these commands and rules that are given by Christ.
2. Christ gives to His church pastors and teachers. (Eph 4:11). Then why are churches weak and muddled theologically. Comment.
3. Why an elder must be chosen by the common consent and vote of the church itself?
4. 1Tim 3:1 says, "If a man desires the office of an overseer, he desires a good work."
What are some implications of this statement upon Christian men in the local church?
