Chapter 26 - Of the Church The Identity, and the Appointment of the local Church Government (26:8)
Introduction
a. Paragraph 7 states, “To each of these churches
therefore gathered, according to His mind declared in His word, He has given
all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on
that order in worship and discipline, which He has instituted for them to
observe; with commands and rules for the due and right exerting, and executing
of that power.”
Paragraphs 8-13 elaborate on the "commands
and rules for the due and right exercise of this power", ie. the identity, appointment, priority and extent of
this local church government
- Remember the context of these paragraphs, “… to
each of these churches gathered according to Christ’s mind.” It is speaking of
local church government, the only form of church government according to the
mind of Christ.
(1689.26.8) “A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which he intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons. 15 Acts 20:17,28; Phil. 1:1
1. The identity of the church government ordained by
Christ
a. “A particular church, gathered and completely
organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members…”
- Christ, the Head of the church, has specifically
expressed His mind in the Scriptures about how each particular local church is
to be gathered, and organized. These matters have not been left to the whims
and fancies of His redeemed or those of denominational churchmen.
- The term “a particular church” gives the specific
context of the church government elaborated in these paragraphs.
b. “gathered and completely organized” – there are
gathered churches that are not yet completely organized.
- A particular church may be gathered according to
the mind of Christ, consisting of visible saints who are members but there may be
no officers yet. Officers are needful for her well-being, not her being. Tit
1:5.
c. A church
gathered, and completely organized, according to the mind of Christ, consists
of both officers and members. Officers are needed to administer/execute the
power and authority that Christ, the sole and sovereign head of the church, has
invested in each local church.
2. The Choosing of officers appointed by Christ for
each local church
a. “and the officers appointed by Christ to be
chosen and set apart by the church (... so called and gathered)… are bishops or
elders, and deacons.”
- “the officers appointed by Christ… are
bishops/elders and deacons.”
- These are the only offices appointed by Christ for
each local church gathered and completely organized according to the mind of
Christ; all others are not according to His mind; it is man’s clever addition.
- The Scriptures give only two sets of
qualifications for the two offices appointed by Christ. 1Tim 3, Tit 1.
- Proofs: Only these two offices are mentioned in
the classic NT passages on the continuing offices of the local church. cp Ph
1:1; 1Tim 3:1-13. The office of elder or presbyter, overseer or bishop and
pastor or shepherd are one and the same. Therefore, there are only TWO
continuing offices in the NT.
- Though there is a distinction between teaching
elders who are called to the ministry and the ruling elders; both of these
occupy the same office of rule. (Acts 20:17,28; 1Pet 5:2; 1Tim 3:32; Tit
1:5-7).
- The NORM is a plurality of elders in each local
church. (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Ph 1:1; 1Th 5:12; Tit 1:5; Heb 13:17). Elders are
necessary for the well-being of the church, but not the being of the church.
b. The office bearers are to be chosen and set apart
by the church herself; this right and power resided in each local church; this
is a duty and privilege that belongs SOLELY to a local church gathered
according to the mind of Christ.
- “chosen by the church…” not by some denominational
hierarchy, whether individuals or committees.
- “Set apart”: the one chosen by the church needs to
be set apart, i.e. ordained into office at a special service, publicly and
officially recognized as those authorized by the church to administer the
power invested in the church by the Lord Jesus Christ.
c. Office bearers are to be willingly chosen by the
church, willingly set apart by the church!
- One solemn implication: willing submission to the
officers freely chosen and solemnly set apart by the church herself is a more
than a reasonable duty.
3. The Stated Duties of the Officers appointed by
Christ in each local church
a. “for the peculiar administration of ordinances,
and execution of power or duty, which He intrusts them with, or calls them
to..."
- “for the peculiar administration of ordinances…”
what are they?
- “for the execution of power or duty…” what are
they?
- The execution of power or duty which the Lord has
entrusted them' is explained in the latter paragraphs.
- The execution of power (spiritual rule) lies with
the elders. The execution of duty (practical administration) lies with the
deacons.
b. The restricted nature and scope of the exercise
of the power and authority invested in the church
- “… which He intrusts them with…
- “… which He calls them to”
- All of which are expressed in His word in the
Scriptures, whether by commands or by Apostolic examples.
- This limitation safeguards the liberty of both
officers and the members.
4. The Perpetuity of this divinely ordained form of
local church government
a. “to be continued to the end of the world.”
- This pattern of church order is to be continued to the end of the
world."
- The Lord has given us this pattern of church order
(others are man's inventions) for all time. The Head of the Church has
prescribed a definite form of church government for the local churches that
bear His name.
- No need for updates… no need for alternatives… no
need for improvement… It is good for all time, till Christ’s return.
