Chapter 26: Of the Church
1. The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the
internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible,
consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall
be gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse,
the body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
(
Hebrews 12:23;
Colossians 1:18;
Ephesians 1:10, 22, 23;
Ephesians 5:23, 27, 32
)
2. All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of
the gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not
destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation,
or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible saints;
and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted.
(
1 Corinthians 1:2;
Acts 11:26;
Romans 1:7;
Ephesians 1:20-22
)
3. The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and
error; and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ,
but synagogues of Satan; 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.
(
1 Corinthians 5;
Revelation 2;
Revelation 3;
Revelation 18:2;
2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12;
Matthew 16:18;
Psalms 72:17;
Psalm 102:28;
Revelation 12:17
)
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 [* See text note].
(
Colossians 1:18;
Matthew 28:18-20;
Ephesians 4:11, 12;
2 Thessalonians 2:2-9
)
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, that they may walk before him in all the ways of
obedience, which he prescribeth to them in his word. Those thus
called, he commandeth to walk together in particular societies, or
churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of
that public worship, which he requireth of them in the world.
(
John 10:16;
John 12:32;
Matthew 28:20;
Matthew 18:15-20
)
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.
(
Romans. 1:7;
1 Corinthians 1:2;
Acts 2:41, 42;
Acts 5:13, 14;
2 Corinthians 9:13
)
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 in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship
and discipline, which he hath instituted for them to observe; with
commands and rules for the due and right exerting, and executing of
that power.
(
Matthew 18:17, 18;
1 Corinthians 5:4, 5;
1 Corinthians 5:13;
2 Corinthians 2:6-8
)
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.
(
Acts 20:17, 28;
Philippians 1:1
)
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; and of a deacon that he be
chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like
imposition of hands.
(
Acts 14:23;
1 Timothy 4:14;
Acts 6:3, 5, 6
)
10. The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service
of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer,
with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to
Him; it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only
to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all
their good things according to their ability, so as they may have a
comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled in secular
affairs; and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards
others; and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express
order of our Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they that preach the
Gospel should live of the Gospel.
(
Acts 6:4;
Hebrews 13:17;
1 Timothy 5:17, 18;
Galatians 6:6, 7;
2 Timothy 2:4;
1 Timothy 3:2;
1 Corinthians 9:6-14
)
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.
(
Acts 11:19-21;
1 Peter 4:10, 11
)
12. As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular
churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that
are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the
censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.
(
1 Thessalonians 5:14;
2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15
)
13. No church members, upon any offence taken by them, having
performed their duty required of them towards the person they are
offended at, ought to disturb any church-order, or absent themselves
from the assemblies of the church, or administration of any ordinances,
upon the account of such offence at any of their fellow members, but
to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the church.
(
Matthew 18:15-17;
Ephesians 4:2, 3
)
14. As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray
continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ,
in all places, and upon all occasions to further every one within
the bounds of their places and callings, in the exercise of their
gifts and graces, so the churches, when planted by the providence
of God, so as they may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought
to hold communion among themselves, for their peace, increase of love,
and mutual edification.
(
Ephesians 6:18;
Psalms 122:6;
Romans 16:1, 2;
3 John 8-10
)
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; 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.
(
Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 25;
2 Corinthians 1:24;
1 John 4:1
)
Notes:
1The original text of the 2nd London Baptist Confession contains the additional clause, “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 exalteth himself in the church against Christ,
and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the
brightness of his coming.” This reflects the historical context (17th Century church persecution) of the document. Many churches today redact this phrase from their subscription to the Confession.
Back to the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith
