Q34. The General Duty of the Whole Church

Quest. 24. Wherein consists the general duty of the whole Church, and every member thereof in their proper station and condition?

Answ. In performing, doing, and keeping inviolate all the commands and institutions of Jesus Christ, walking unblameably and fruitfully in the World, holding forth the Word of truth, and glorifying the Lord Christ in and by the profession of his name, and keeping his testimony to the end (Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:42; Philippians 2:15, 16; Chapter 4:8, 9; 1 Thessalonians 3:8; 1 Peter 4:10, 11, 12, 13, 14; 1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 10:23).

Explication

Besides the general duties of Christianity incumbent on all believers, or disciples of Christ as such, there are sundry especial duties required of them as gathered into Church societies, upon the account of an especial trust committed to them in that state and condition.

First, the Church being appointed as the seat and subject of all the institutions of Christ, and ordinances of Gospel worship, it is its duty, that is, of the whole body and every member in his proper place, to use all care, watchfulness and diligence, that all the commands of Christ be kept inviolate, and all his institutions observed, according to his mind and will. Thus those added to the Church (Acts 2:42), together with the whole Church, continued stedfastly (which argues care, circumspection and diligence) in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayers; which principal duties are enumerated, to express their respect towards all. This is their standing fast in the Lord, which was a matter of such joy to the Apostle when he found it in the Thessalonians (1 Ephesians 3:8): "For now we live if you stand fast in the Lord." That order and stedfastness which he rejoiced over in the Colossians (Chapter 2:5): "For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ." And where this duty is despised, men contenting themselves with what is done by others, there is a great neglect of that faithfulness in obedience which the Church owes to Jesus Christ.

Secondly, the glory of the Lord Christ, and the doctrine of the Gospel to be manifested in, and by the power of an holy exemplary conversation, is committed to the Church and all the members of it. This is one end therefore the Lord Christ calls them out of the World, separates them to be a peculiar people to himself, brings them forth to a visible profession, and puts his name upon them, namely that in their walking, and conversation, he may show forth the holiness of his doctrine, and power of his spirit, grace, and example to effect in them all holiness; godliness, righteousness and honesty in the World. Hence are they earnestly exhorted to these things (Philippians 4:8, 9): "Brethren whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things;" and that to this end, that the doctrine of the Gospel may be adorned and Christ glorified in all things (Titus 2:10). And those who fail herein are said to be enemies of the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18), as hindering the progress of the doctrine thereof, by representing it undesirable in their conversation. This also therefore, even the duty of universal holiness, with an especial regard to the honor of Christ, and the Gospel which they are called and designed to testify and express in the World, is incumbent on the Church, and every member of it; namely as the Apostle speaks, that they be blameless, and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom they are to shine as lights in the World (Philippians 2:15).

Thirdly, the care of declaring and manifesting the truth is also committed to them. Christ has made the Church to be the pillar and ground of truth (1 Timothy 3:15), where the truth of the Gospel is so firmly seated, founded, fixed, established, and then lifted up in the ways of Christ's appointment to be seen, discerned, and known by others. And as this is done principally in the preaching of the Gospel by the Elders of the Church, and in their contending for the truth once delivered to the saints (Jude 3), so it is also the duty of the whole Church, to hold forth the word of life (Philippians 2:16), by ministering of the gift that every man has received (1 Peter 4:10), in the way of Christ's appointment. In these, and the like instances, does our Lord Jesus require of his Church that they express in the World their subjection to him, and his authority; and that they abide therein to the end, against all opposition whatever.

The sinful neglect of Churches in the discharge of their duty herein, was one great means of that apostacy from the rule of the Gospel which they generally of old fell into. When the members of them began to think that they had no advantage by their state and condition, but only the outward participation of some ordinance of worship, and no duty incumbent on them, but only to attend and follow the motions and actings of their guides, the whole societies quickly became corrupt, and fit to be disposed of according to the carnal interest of those that had by their neglect and sin, gotten dominion over them. And at all times, as the people were negligent in their duty, the leaders of them were apt to usurp undue authority. When the one sort will not do that which they ought, the other are ready to take upon them what they ought not. It is a circumspect performance of duty on all hands alone, that will keep all sorts of persons in the Church within those bounds, and limits, and up to those rights, and privileges, which Christ has allotted and granted to them. And herein alone does the order, honor, and beauty of the Church consist. Church members therefore are to search and enquire after the particular duties, which as such, are incumbent on them; as also to consider what influence their special state and condition as they are Church members, ought to have into all the duties of their obedience as they are Christians. For this privilege is granted to them for their edification, that is their furtherance in their whole course of walking before God. And if this be neglected, if they content themselves with a name to live in this or that Church, to partake of the ordinances that are stated and solemnly administered, only that which would have been to their advantage, may prove to be a snare and temptation to them. What these especial duties are in the particular instances of them, is of too large a consideration here to be insisted on. Besides it is the great duty of the guides of the Church, to be inculcating of them into the minds of those committed to their charge. For the Church's due performance of its duty, is their honor, crown, and reward.