Day 329

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 9.

“The way appointed by Christ for the Calling of any person, fitted, and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the Office of Bishop, or Elder, in a Church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the Church itself; and Solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer, with imposition of hands of the Eldership of the Church, if there be any before Constituted therein;…”

Scripture Lookup

Acts 14:23
1 Timothy 4:14

Reflection

The local church consists of members. It also consists of officers, those ordained by Christ to lead the public worship of God and administer discipline. One of the offices is that of an elder. Elders of a church are not imposed upon a local church. They do not come and serve for a couple years and then are whisked away to another part of the country by an overseer. The office of elder is not a mantle that anyone can take upon themselves. The process for calling an elder looks quite different according to the Bible.

All power and authority necessary for the running of a local church Christ has given to the local church. When it comes to appointing elders, the members of the local church are to mutually agree to installing someone to that office. This is not a light decision to be made. Prayer and fasting are to be undertaken. If there are fellow elders, then they ought to lay hands upon the man set apart to be an elder.

When you first join a church, it may seem that the elders in the church are in a league of their own. Yes, they do have a different position than the other members. Yet they are still fellow members, recognized by the membership for the office. They have been appointed by Christ, but the local church has a role in granting that authority contained in the office of elder.

Questions to Consider

• How do elders get chosen in your church?

 

 

Day 328

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 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.”

Scripture Lookup

Acts 20:17, 28

Philippians 1:1

Reflection

When it comes to the local church, everything ought to be done in decency and in order. Worship is to be conducted, and discipline is to be administered. Who decides the order of worship? Can anyone call the congregation together to act upon a matter of discipline? Imagine some churches where there is not a clearly defined leadership. Conflict, discussions revolving around trivial matters, long and tedious meetings. How long would such a church last?

Christ has appointed officers within the church to carry out the ordinances and powers of the church: elders and deacons. These officers are chosen by the local church; they are not thrust upon them by an outside entity. Elders and deacons equip the church to walk in obedience to Christ, as they enable the church to worship Him corporately and publicly.

These offices sometimes get confused in Baptist churches. Rather than elders and deacons, there is the pastor, and then there may be a deacon board or a board of trustees. Deacons tend to take on the role of elders, and general committees take up the role of deacons. Some members may cling to these structures because it’s all they’ve ever known. However, tradition is not what we rely on for our church government. We must get our instructions in organizing the church from the head of the church Himself. Jesus has told us in His word that the church offices consist of elders and deacons.

Questions to Consider

• What offices does your church have? Why is it structured that way?

 

 

Day 327

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 7.

“To each of these Churches thus gathered, according to his mind, declared in his word, he hath given all that power and authority, which is 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.”

Scripture Lookup

Matthew 18:17, 18

1 Corinthians 5:4, 5, 5:13

2 Corinthians 2:6-8

Reflection

“Only God can judge me.”

This is often heard by unbelievers who insist on remaining in their sin. But what about believers? Is it true that only God can judge a believer? If someone joins your local assembly as a member, then falls into repeated sin with no evidence of repentance, what should the church do? Should the unrepentant one simply say, “Only God can judge me!” and everyone goes their own way?

It is true that only God knows who has been regenerated or not. But God also uses the church as a means to correct and rebuke those in her midst. Sometimes, such correction means removing the membership of some people, effectively putting them outside the assembly of believers. If there is an issue of discipline in your church that requires action, the church does not need to seek out permission from a church several towns over in order to enact it. The authority and power to regulate worship and discipline has been given to each local church by the Lord Himself.

Sadly, many churches today do not value the authority they have been given. Too often the requirements for membership are few and far between, and discipline is practically non-existent. This has consequences for the spiritual health of the church. Unchecked sin can poison the well-being of the congregation, so it is important that the church fairly, but firmly administer discipline when necessary.

Questions to Consider

• Is church discipline practiced by your church?

 

 

Day 326

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 6.

“The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of Christ; and do willingly consent to walk together, according to the appointment of Christ; giving up themselves to the Lord, and one to another, by the will of God, in professed subjection to the ordinances of the Gospel.”

Scripture Lookup

Romans 1:7

1 Corinthians 1:2

Acts 2:41,42, 5:13,14

2 Corinthians 9:13

Reflection

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing -Adrianus Valerius (italics added).

Joining a church is a public demonstration that you take the commands of Christ seriously. It demonstrates that you are one of His, called out of the world to follow Him. It demonstrates that you value the time with your brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow saints who have also been called by Him as you were. It demonstrates that you are committed to walking with your church because of your love for Christ.

Like other institutions created by God, being part of a church calls us to direct our attention towards others. Becoming a member of a church should be beneficial to you, but it is not the main reason to join. Instead, we are purposely agreeing to be a part of other believers’ lives. We will be held accountable by them, and we will encourage and rebuke them in turn.

If you love Me, you will keep my commandments. -John 14:15

It is humbling to become a member of a church. Dealing with other people, even fellow saints, tests our patience and sometimes even our faith. As one of Christ’s, we should be ever mindful of His work in our lives. In gratitude we serve one another in the local church. And as a result, we are blessed.

Questions to Consider

• What reasons do people give for not joining a church? Are they valid?

 

 

Day 325

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 5.

“… that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience, which he prescribes to them in his word. Those thus called, he commands to walk together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that public worship, which he requires of them in the world.”

Scripture Lookup

Matthew 28:20
Matthew 18:15-20

Reflection

Recently, a popular writer in evangelical Christian circles posted a photo on social media of relaxing by a waterway on a Sunday. The caption read, “This is my church today.” Apparently for her, setting apart time for the public worship of God is not necessary. Church can occur all by yourself! Sadly, this view is shared by many who claim to be Christian. Gathering together in a formalized way to worship God is seen to be stuffy.

Honestly, life would be so much easier if I didn’t have to attend a church. The notion of going into a field, or hiking a mountain, or standing by an ocean to “spend time with God” is ultimately more attractive. There, no one is going to confront me if I sin. I don’t have to deal with any quirks: crying kids, out of tune singers, unfashionable architecture, or whatever else might irk me.  I pick and choose who I am around. If I am feeling particularly compassionate, I will deign to be in the presence of some underprivileged soul who needs my benevolence. If I want to be uplifted, I will surround myself with like-minded, affirming people. Like on Instagram, but in person!

As Christians, we do not get to decide who are the elect. That is a choice our sovereign God has made. And as our Lord Jesus has purchased us with His own blood, He has every right to tell us what to do. He commands that those called out by Him are to join with others in local assemblies. By doing so, we publicly demonstrate the power of God in bringing together people from every tribe, nation, and tongue. We are encouraged by the presence of our brothers and sisters in Christ when we gather together. We are corrected when we need correcting. We do not walk this path of salvation alone.

If you are in an assembly that consists of the redeemed rich and famous, then you are to walk with them. If your church consists of converted “people of Wal-Mart”, then you are to walk with those people. But walk with them you must. That is your church today.

Questions to Consider

• Is not being part of a church ever acceptable?

 

 

Day 324

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 5.

“In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth out of the World unto himself, through the Ministry of his word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him by his Father;…”

Scripture Lookup

John 10:16

John 12:32

Reflection

“The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord…”

All power for the calling, institution, order or government of the Church is found in Christ. He is the One who builds His church, and He is the One who directs His Church. Apart from Him there is only a club, not a gathering of believers.

In eternity past, the Father and the Son entered into what is called the Covenant of Redemption. The Father chose a people to be given to the Son, “to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified” (LBCF 8.1). The Son agreed to take on human flesh and be the mediator for this people. The elect, the people given to Jesus, have an everlasting inheritance purchased for them through Christ’s redeeming work. These people Jesus calls out from the world to Himself. This is the ekklesia, or “called-out”. This is the Church.

How does Jesus build His Church?  By his Word and Spirit. In the preaching of the Gospel, which is the Word of God, coupled with the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the elect, God “is pleased in His appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call [the elect]…to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ” (LBCF 10.1). As Christians, we are His. We have been bought with a price. Jesus is more than worthy to receive a people for Himself.

Questions to Consider

• If the church belongs to Jesus, to whom is it accountable?

 

 

Day 323

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 4.

“…neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that Antichrist, that Man of sin, and Son of perdition, that exalts himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”

Scripture Lookup

2 Thessalonians 2:2-9

Reflection

The wording here in the Confession affronts our modern sensibilities. Sure, the Pope doesn’t believe the Gospel, and sure his influence is worldwide, but to call him that antichrist? It seems to be a bit much. After all, the pope doesn’t hurt anyone, does he?

For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 883.)

In asking such questions about the character of the Pope, we fail to remember that Roman Catholicism, despite all that it has in common with Christianity, is antithetical to Christianity. The Pope is the infallible ruler of that religion. As vicar, the Pope is considered the earthly representative of Jesus Himself. Remembering that Jesus is God, how does that line up with Scripture?

I am the Lord, that is My name;
I will not give My glory to another,
Nor My praise to graven images. (Isaiah 42:8).

Jesus is the head of the Church. He alone has universal and supreme power over His Church.

We are quick to condemn those charlatans within evangelicalism who entice people with a false Gospel. Yet those “evangelical” wolves are just a drop in a bucket compared to the ocean of influence and power the Pope has had for millennia. The spiritual damage inflicted is immense. The Confession’s wording is not too strong.

Questions to Consider

• What is your view of the Pope? Who should be the supreme ruler of the Church?

 

Day 322

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 4.

“The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order, or Government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner,…”

Scripture Lookup

Colossians 1:18

Matthew 28:18-20

Ephesians 4:11,12

Reflection

How much thought do we give to church government?

When chatting about spiritual matters, how the church is structured doesn’t tend to come up. Why is this? Perhaps we’ve just come to accept how our churches are set up because it is what we grew up with, or we’ve accepted that those who arranged it knew what they were doing. But why do we have the offices we have? How many levels of hierarchy should there be? These questions ought to be examined, as it affects who has authority in our local church, and how much authority they have.

In learning how to order the church, to whom do we look for guidance? If we were to learn how to build a new gadget, it would make sense to look to the company that created that gadget for instructions. Just as we look to the creator of a machine to tell us how to assemble it, we look to the Creator of the church to learn how to set it up.

Jesus is the creator of the church. He is the One who through His mediatorial work enabled all those who are justified to be counted as children of God. He is also the head of the church. He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He rules His church supremely, and is the ultimate voice in how His church is to be governed. No one else can claim the authority that is Christ’s alone.

Questions to Consider

• Can you explain why your church government is structured the way it is?

 

Day 321

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 3.

“…nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a Kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his Name.”

Scripture Lookup

Matthew 16:18

Psalm 72:17, 102:28

Revelation 12:17

Reflection

There will always be a church in this world.

She may have flaws. She may be small and scattered. She may have imposters who have stolen her identity and used it to rail against Christ. But she is still present.

At times it may seem like the church will die out. Millions flock to the nearest megachurch to hear a message all about then, while the church down the street, faithfully preaching the word, can only boast of a few in attendance. From unbelievers can come such hatred that the chances of anyone coming to Christ in such a hostile environment seem slim. Spend any amount of time in a church, and eventually you will see some you worshiped with fall away. How can the church survive against these things?

Here in the United States, we are used to bigger equaling better. If it is popular, it is successful, and what is successful must be right. When looking at the state of the church, it is tempting to despair of her continuing, and we might even wonder if the gospel is true. This is when we must climb over the wall of the here and now and look out over the stream of history. Time and again, God’s people have been preserved. God has promised it; will He not do it?

As the Providence of God doth in general reach to all Creatures, so after a most special manner it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth of all things to the good thereof. -LBCF, 5.7

…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. -Matthew 28:20

Questions to Consider

• Do you ever fear that the church will perish?

 

Day 320

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 3.

“… and some have so degenerated as to become no Churches of Christ, but Synagogues of Satan;…”

Scripture Lookup

Revelation 18:2

2 Thessalonians 2:11,12

Reflection

There are no perfect churches.

There is a mixture of believers and unbelievers, as well as error, in every church. However, that does not mean that any group that calls itself a church is truly a church. There are assemblies who claim Christ for their own but represent Him falsely. Such churches promote heresy, and as such are the enemies of Christ.

Heresy is a strong word, though. How do we know whether a church promotes heresy, or just is in error? Benjamin Keach in The Glory of a True Church defines heresy this way:

Heresy is commonly restrained to signify any perverse Opinion or Error in a fundamental Point of Religion, as to deny the Being of God, or the Deity of Christ, or his Satisfaction, and Jus­tification alone by his Righteous­ness, or to deny the Resurrection of the Body, or eternal Judgment, or the like.

With such a definition, it is easier to see the difference between a false church and a misguided one. Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example, deny several of the points Keach lists. They would be a false church. A church that agreed with all the points above, but practices errors such as continuationism or dispensationalism, would be a true albeit misguided church.

This is why it is important to know the Gospel. Otherwise, you may be persuaded to call those who preach against Christ your brethren, and you may become hardened towards those who are in reality your brothers in Christ. Take heed that the essentials of the faith remain your essentials. Contend earnestly for the truth in secondary matters, but remember that they are secondary.

Questions to Consider

• Can you name some other examples of false churches? What about churches that are merely in error?