Q24. Differences Between Extraordinary and Ordinary Officers

Quest. 24. What are the principal differences between these two sorts of Officers or Rulers in the Church, extraordinary and ordinary?

Answ. (1.) The former were called to their office immediately by Jesus Christ in his own Person, or revelation made by the Holy Ghost in his name to that purpose; the latter by the suffrage, choice and appointment of the Church itself. (2.) The former both in their Office and work, were independent on, and antecedent to all or any Churches, whose calling and gathering depended on their office as its consequent and effect; the latter, in both consequent to the calling, gathering and constituting of the Churches themselves, as an effect thereof, in their tendency to completeness and perfection. (3.) The authority of the former being communicated to them immediately by Jesus Christ without any intervenient actings of any Church, extended itself equally to all Churches whatever: that of the latter being derived to them from Christ by the election and designation of the Church, is in the exercise of it, confined to that Church wherein and whereby it is so derived to them. (4.) They differ also in the gifts which were suited to their several distinct works and employments. (1) Matthew 10:2; Luke 10:1; Galatians 1:1; Acts 1:26; Acts 6:3; Acts 14:23. (2) John 20:21, 22, 23; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 21:14; Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5, 7. (3) Matthew 28:18, 19, 20; 2 Corinthians 11:28; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:2; Colossians 4:17. (4) 1 Corinthians 12:28, 29, 30. The answer hereunto is such as needs no further explication.