Q29-30. The Church's Duty Toward Its Elders and Pastors

Quest. 29. What is the duty of the Church towards their Elders, Pastors or Teachers?

Answ. (1) To have them in reverence and honor for their office and works sake. (2) To obey them conscientiously in all things wherein they speak to them in the name of the Lord. (2) To pray earnestly for them, that they may, and to exhort them, if need require, to fulfill the work of the Ministry. (4) To communicate to them of their temporals for their comfortable subsistance in the World, and usefulness to others. (5) Wisely to order things by their direction, so as that they may be among them without fear. (6) To abide with, and stand by them, in their sufferings for the Gospel, and service of Christ among them. (1) 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13; 1 Timothy 5:17. (2) Hebrews 13:17; 1 Corinthians 16:16. (3) Ephesians 6:18, 19; Colossians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Colossians 4:17. (4) Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 9:14. (5) 1 Corinthians 16:10. (6) 2 Timothy 1:16, 17, 18; 2 Timothy 4:16.

Quest. 30. Are there any differences in the Office, or Offices, of the Guides, Rulers, Elders or Ministers of the Church?

Answ. The Office of them that are Teachers, is one and the same among them all; but where there are many in the same Church, it is the will of Christ that they should be peculiarly assigned to such especial work in the discharge of their office power, as their gifts received from him do peculiarly fit them for, and the necessities of the Church require. (Romans 12:4, 5, 6, 7, 8; 1 Corinthians 8:11; 1 Peter 4:10; Chapter 5:2.)

Explication.

The Office of them that are to instruct the Church in the name and authority of Christ, is one and the same, as has been shewed before. And there are many names that are equally accommodated to all that are partakers of it, as Elders, Bishops, Guides; they are all alike Elders, alike Bishops, alike Guides, have the one office in common among them, and every one the whole intire to himself. But there are names also given to them, whereby they are distinguisht, not as to Office, but as to their work and employment in the discharge of that office: such are Pastors and Teachers (Ephesians 4:11), which are placed as distinct persons in their work, partakers of the same Office. Now the foundation of this distinction and difference lyes.

First, In the different gifts that they have received; for although it be required in them all, that they have received all those gifts, abilities, and qualifications which are necessary for the work of the Ministry, yet as to the degrees of their participation of their gifts, some may more excell in one, others in another (1 Corinthians 12:4, 5, 6). There are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit, and there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord: and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. For to one is given by the spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same spirit, &c. And all these gifts are bestowed upon them to be exercised and laid out, for the profit and benefit of the Church — Verse 7: The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withall. And therefore every one is in an especial manner to attend to the exercise and use of that gift wherein he does excell, or which tends most to the edification of the Church; every man being to minister according as he has received (1 Peter 4:10).

Secondly, It lyes in the nature of the work of the Ministry in the Church, which in general may be referred to two heads or ends.

First, The instruction of it in the knowledge of God in Christ, and the mysteries of the Gospel, that it might grow in grace, wisdom, saving light, and knowledge.

Secondly, The exhortation of it to walk answerable to light received in holiness and universal obedience. Now though these several ends of the Ministry cannot be divided or separated, yet they may be distinguished, and so carryed on distinctly, that in the one, knowledge or light may be firstly and principally intended, so as to lead to obedience; in the other, holiness may be firstly designed, as springing from Gospel light or knowledge. Hence therefore are the Elders of the Church, principally to attend to that work or that end of the Ministry, which by the Holy Ghost they are most suited to. And therefore the Church following the intimations of the Holy Ghost, in communicating his gifts in variety as he pleaseth, and attending their own edification, may and ought among those whom they choose to the Office of Elders or Ministers, withall design them in particular to that especial work which they are especially fitted and prepared for; and this upon their being chosen, and set apart, they are accordingly to attend to: He that teacheth on teaching, he that exhorteth on exhortation (Romans 12:7, 8). Their Office then is the same, but their teaching, work, and employment on the grounds mentioned, distinct and different.