Q28. The Authority of the Elders of the Church

Qu. 28. Wherein principally does the authority of the Elders of the Church consist?

An. (1) In that the rule of the Church and the guidance thereof in things appertaining to the worship of God, is committed to them. And therefore (2) Whatever they do as Elders in the Church according to rule, they do it not in the name or authority of the Church by which their power is derived to them, nor as members only of the Church by their own consent or covenant, but in the name and authority of Jesus Christ, from whom by virtue of his law and ordinance their ministerial office and power is received; so that (3) In the exercise of any act of Church power, by and with the consent of the Church, there is an obligation, from there proceeding, which arises immediately from that authority which they have received of Jesus Christ, which is the spring of all rule and authority in the Church. (1) Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:2; 1 Corinthians 12:28. (2) 1 Timothy 3:5; Colossians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 8. (3) 1 Timothy 4:11; Titus 2:15; 1 Peter 1:2, 3, 4, 5.

Explication.

The answer to this question explains the power or authority of the Elders of the Church, from whom they do receive it, and how it is exercised by them; the right stating whereof is of great importance in the whole discipline of the Church, and must therefore here be farther explained: to this end we may consider,

First, that all Church power is originally vested in Jesus Christ the sole head, and Monarch thereof. God the Father has committed it to him, and intrusted him with it for the accomplishment of his work of mediation (Matthew 28:18).

Secondly, that he does communicate of this authority by way of trust, to be exercised by them in his name, to persons by him appointed, so much as is needful for the ordering and disposing of all things in his Churches, to the blessed ends for which he has instituted and appointed them. For no man can have any power in his Church for any end whatever, but by delegation from him. What is not received from him, is mere usurpation. And whoever takes upon himself the exercise of any rule, or authority, or power in the Church, not granted to them by him, or not rightly derived from him, is an oppressor, a thief, and a robber; this necessarily follows upon the absolute investiture of all power in him alone (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11, 12).

Thirdly, the means whereby the Lord Christ communicates this power to men, is by his law, and constitution, whereby he has granted, ordained, and appointed, that such and such powers shall be exercised in his Church, and that by such and such persons, to be derived to them in such a way and manner; so that the word of the Gospel, or the laws and constitutions of the Lord Christ therein, are the first recipient seat and subject morally of all Church power whatever (Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18, 19, 20).

Fourthly, the way and means whereby any persons come to a participation of this power regularly, according to the mind of Christ, is by the obedience to, and due observation of his laws and commands, in them to whom they are prescribed. As when an office, with the power of it, is constituted and limited by the law of the land, there is no more required to invest any man in that office, or to give him that power, than the due observance of the means and way prescribed in the law to that end. The way then, whereby the Elders of the Church do come to participate of the power and authority which Christ has appointed to be exercised in his Church, is by their, and the Churches due observance of the rules and laws given by him for their election, and setting apart to that office (Hebrews 4:3; Acts 14:24).

Fifthly, on this account they receive their power from Christ himself alone, and that immediately; for the means used for their participation of it, are not recipient of the power itself formally, nor do authoritatively collate or confer it, only the laws of Christ are executed in a way of obedience. So that though they are chosen and set apart to their office by the Church, yet they are made Overseers by the Holy Ghost (Acts 20:28). Though they have their power by the Church, yet they have it not from the Church; nor was that power whereof they are made partakers (as was said) formally resident in the body of the Church, before their participation of it; but really in Christ himself alone, and morally in his word or law. And from there is the rule and guidance of the Church committed to them by Christ (Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:2; 1 Timothy 3:5).

Sixthly, this authority and power thus received from Christ, is that which they exert and put forth in all their ministerial administrations, in all which they do as ministers in the house of God, either in his worship, or in the rule of the Church itself. They exercise that authority of Christ, which he has in his law appointed to be exercised in his Church; and from that authority is due order given to the administration of all the ordinances of worship; and an obligation to obedience to acts of rule does from there also ensue; so that they which despise them, despise the authority of Christ.

Seventhly, when as Elders they do, or declare any thing in the name of the Church, they do not, as such, put forth any authority committed to them from and by the Church, but only declare the consent and determination of the Church in the exercise of their own liberty and privilege; but the authority which they act by, and which they put forth, is that which is committed to themselves as such by Jesus Christ.

Eighthly, this authority is comprised in the law and constitution of Christ which themselves exert only ministerially; and therefore whenever they act any thing authoritatively, which they are not enabled for, or warranted in by the word of the Gospel, or do any thing without, or contrary to rule, all such actings as to any spiritual effect of the Gospel, or obligation on the consciences of men, are ipso facto null, and are no way ratified in Heaven, where all their orderly actings are made valid; that is, by Christ himself in his word.

Ninthly, the reason therefore why the consent of the Church is required to the authoritative acting of the Elders therein; is not because from there any authority does accrue to them anew, which virtually and radically they had not before; but because by the rule of the Gospel this is required to the orderly acting of their power, which without it would be contrary to rule, and therefore ineffectual; as also it must needs be from the nature of the thing itself; for no act can take place in the Church without or against its own consent, while its obedience is voluntary and of choice.

But if it be asked, what then shall the Elders do, in case the Church refuse to consent to such acts as are indeed according to rule, and warranted by the institution of Christ? It is answered, that they are First diligently to instruct them from the word in their duty, making known the mind of Christ to them in the matter under consideration. (2) To declare to them the danger of their dissent in obstructing the edification of the body to the dishonour of the Lord Christ, and their own spiritual disadvantage. (3) To wait patiently for the concurrence of the grace of God with their ministry, in giving light and obedience to the Church; and (4) In case of the Churches continuance in any failure of duty, to seek for advice and counsel from the Elders and brethren of other Churches, all which particulars might be enlarged, would the nature of our present design and work permit it.