The 1689 Confession of Faith - A midweek bible study notes
Chapter 26 - Of the Church
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. 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, and 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 on how churches that are called by His name are to deal/handle these concerns,
whether within a church or among 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 honoured in words and in deeds… 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.
- a church’s controversy with the pastor, 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 churches, two particular churches, or just within a church.
d. “… in their peace, union, and edification…”
- The “peace, union, and edification” of churches are of utmost importance in inter-church fellowship. To enjoy these blessings, issues that will arise must be wisely handled.
- NOT all difficulties and differences are capable of disturbing the peace, union (fellowship), and edification of the like-minded churches.
- BUT those that do, they do need to be attended to; when no handled properly, it can be disastrous.
- 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…”
- “injured”, 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 for their opinion.
- All proceedings in censures in Christ’s church must be according to truth and order.
2. Like-minded churches 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 orderly and truthfully with the issues that arise.
b. “… that many churches holding communion together…´
- These are like-minded churches; therefore, they are capable of walking together, Amos 3:3.
- They have a common doctrinal standard to work out the issues affecting them.
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 examined and 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
“… 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.”
a. “howbeit”: an adverb nevertheless or however.
- Even though these are, officially, representatives of churches and assembled formally to consider the issue at hand, 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 authored this Confession of Faith; it’s not just a lip service.
- 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
- The inherent evils of denominationalism is stated…
- “… 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 lacking 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 promote these spiritual benefits.
Its special advantages :
- 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 endeavouring 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.
Questions
1. What does '...when and where they have opportunity so to do...' (26:12) imply?
- What are some possible reasons why some credible believers are not members of churches?
2. What are 'the privileges of a church...' in accordance with the rule of Christ?
3. Give examples of conduct which may disturb church order.
4. Why communion of churches is necessary for the spiritual goods of the churches?
5. Why is the 'advice' reported to all the churches concerned?
6. What are some practical implications of the communion of like-minded churches?
