Day 334

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 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.”

Scripture Lookup

Acts 11:19-21

1 Peter 4:10,11

Reflection

Who gets to preach? Could any man get up and deliver a sermon? Should only those who are pastors be allowed to preach?

While pastors ought to preach to their people, the role of preaching is not limited to ordained ministers. There are men who may not have had training or have been called to an office within the church, but have been gifted with teaching and preaching. In giving these men a chance to display their skills, the church is further strengthened and edified by the preaching done in her midst.

While the church should recognize those with the gift of preaching, it should be careful not to thrust any man into that position quickly. The recognition of a layman’s gift for preaching should come after a time of observation, and it should be the decision of the whole church. This way the preaching of the word is kept in high regard, not to be taken lightly.

With the rise of popularity among Calvinists for public preaching, it is important that measures be taken among churches to approve and call men who are gifted for preaching. While all are called to share the Gospel, not all are meant to be preachers. Having the church recognize some for preaching the word will ensure that these men are held accountable and that those who are gifted are able to use their gifts.

Questions to Consider

• Does your church recognize any laymen that have the gift of preaching?

Day 330

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 9.

“…And of a Deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by Prayer, and the like Imposition of hands.”

Scripture Lookup

Acts 6:3,5,6

Reflection

What is a deacon? Sample a smattering of churches, and you might find that not all agree on what a deacon is. Some churches give deacons the position that the Bible calls “elder”; they make decisions regarding the spiritual health of the church. Others view deacons as little more than janitors. Who is right?

The Bible gives an example of the purpose of deacon in Acts 6. The physical needs of some in the congregation were not being met. However, the apostles could not neglect the teaching and preaching of the word in order to fulfill this need. Thus men were selected to serve as deacons. They took care that those in their midst were fed. So today, deacons serve the church, ensuring that the  material aspects of the church are covered.

Need for churches to be as careful and considerate of their appointing deacons as they do elders. “Can’t anyone serve tables?” you may ask. Yes, most anyone can, but when it comes to serving the physical aspects of the church, there are those appointed by Christ that are well-suited to such a task. Thus the church needs to mutually agree to the appointing of deacons, giving the same attention to prayer as they did to appointing elders. Deacons are to be ordained to their office, not swept up into it because somebody has to do it.

Deacons tend to not receive much praise. They do not speak at conferences, or write books, or are prominent in the worship service. Yet they are an indispensable office to the functioning of the local church. They are not to be treated any less than elders.

Questions to Consider

• What is the role of deacon in your church? How are they chosen?

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?