Form Of Presbyterial Church-Government Pt. 13 - Of Congregational Assemblies, That Is, The Meeting Of The Ruling Officers Of A Particular Congregation, For The Government Thereof.
James Dodson
Form Of Presbyterial Church-Government
Of Congregational Assemblies, That Is, The Meeting Of The Ruling Officers Of A Particular Congregation, For The Government Thereof.
The ruling officers of a particular congregation have power, authoritatively, to call before them any member of the congregation, as they see just occasion.
To enquire into the knowledge and spiritual estate of the several members of the congregation.
To admonish and rebuke.
Which three branches are proved by Heb. xiii.17; 1 Thess. v.12, 13; Ezek. xxxiv.4[1].
Authoritative suspension from the Lord’s table, of a person not yet cast out of the church, is agreeable to the scripture:
First, Because the ordinance itself must not be profaned.
Secondly, Because we are charged to withdraw from those that walk disorderly.
Thirdly, Because of the great sin and danger, both to him that comes unworthily, and also to the whole church[2]. And there was power and authority, under the Old Testament, to keep unclean persons from holy things[3].
The like power and authority, by way of analogy, continues under the New Testament.
The ruling elders of a particular congregation have power authoritatively to suspend from the Lord’s table a person not yet cast out of the church:
First, Because those who have authority to judge of, and admit, such as are fit to receive the sacrament, have authority to keep back such as shall be found unworthy.
Secondly, Because it is an ecclesiastical business of ordinary practice belonging to that congregation.
When congregations are divided and fixed, they need all mutual help one from another, both in regard of their intrinsical weaknesses and mutual dependence, as also in regard of enemies from without.
Question 1.—Do the ruling officers of a particular congregation have power, authoritatively, to call before them any member of the congregation, as they see just occasion?
Answer.—Yes. 2 Thess. 3:14, 15. This was a power common to all ecclesiastical assemblies. Such was practiced by Moses, Ex. 12:21; 34:31; such was the practice of the Jewish church, John 9:18, 24; and the apostles exercised this power, Acts 6:2; 20:17.
Question 2.—Do they have power to inquire into the knowledge and spiritual estate of the several members of the congregation? Answer.—Yes. Ezek. 34:4. Those who rule in the congregation must give an account for the work that they have done, particularly regarding the souls under their charge, Rom. 14:12; Heb. 13:17. As watchmen, they must tend to the knowledge and spiritual estate of the several members, and thereby discharge themselves of blood guiltiness for those who will not heed, Ezek. 3:17-21; 33:2, 7-9; Acts 20:24-28.
Question 3.—Do they have power to admonish and rebuke?
Answer.—Yes. 1 Thess. 5:12, 13. Those who rule in the congregation are invested with a power whereby they are to be obeyed, Heb. 13:7, 17. These rulers are commanded to admonish, 2 Thess. 3:14, 15; 2 Tim. 2:24, 25; and to rebuke, 1 Tim. 5:20; Tit. 2:15.
Question 4.—Is authoritative suspension from the Lord’s table, of a person not yet cast out of the church, agreeable to the scripture?
Answer.—Yes. This appears from the following considerations: 1.) The Scriptures teach that those things which are holy ought not to be profaned, Matt. 7:6; but that the elements of the Lord’s supper are set apart to holy use is apparent, 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Ergo. 2.) Paul admonishes the churches to withdraw themselves from those who walk disorderly, 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15; Rom. 16:17. 3.) Because there is great sin and danger posed to both the unworthy recipient, and the whole church (when it fails to exercise proper discipline), 1 Cor. 11:27-34; Jude 23; 1 Tim. 5:22. 4.) Because there was clearly a power in the Old Testament to keep unclean persons from holy things, Lev. 13:5; Num. 9:7; 2 Chron. 23:19; which power of rule is continued in the office of the elders in the New Testament (as we have seen), and, by analogy, that power ought to be applied to the Lord’s supper, 1 Cor. 10:15-22.
Question 5.—Do the ruling elders of a particular congregation have power authoritatively to suspend from the Lord’s table a person not yet cast out of the church?
Answer.—Yes. This is made evident for the following reasons: 1.) Because those who have authority to judge of, and admit, such as are fit to receive the sacrament, have authority to keep back such as shall be found unworthy. But ruling elders have authority to judge of, and admit, such as are fit to receive the sacrament, Matt. 7:6; Heb. 13:17; Ergo. 2.) Because it is an ecclesiastical business of ordinary practice belonging to that congregation.
Question 6.—When congregations are divided and fixed, do they need all mutual help one from another, both in regard of their intrinsical weaknesses and mutual dependence, as also in regard of enemies from without?
Answer.—Yes. Prov. 11:14; 15:22; 24:6. Mutual help is necessary both because of the intrinsic weaknesses and mutual dependence congregations bear toward one another, Matt. 12:25; Eph. 4:3. So we see the apostles rendering mutual help towards one another, Acts 15:6; 16:4. The congregations also ought to have a regard to those enemies from without, Eccl. 4:12.
[1] Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12, 13; Ezek. 34:4.
[2] Matt. 7:6; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15; 1 Cor. 11:27-34 compared with Jude 23; 1 Tim. 5:22.
[3] Lev. 13:5; Num. 9:7; 2 Chron. 23:19.