Q52. The Duty of One Church Toward Other Churches

Quest. 52. Wherein consists the duty of any Church of Christ towards other Churches?

Answ. (1) In walking circumspectly, so as to give them no offence. (2) In prayer for their peace and prosperity. (3) In communicating supplyes to their wants according to ability. (4) In receiving with love and readiness the members of them into fellowship, in the celebration of the Ordinances of the Gospel, as occasion shall be. (5) In desiring and making use of their counsel and advice in such cases of doubt, and difficulty, as may arise among them. (6) In joyning with them to express their communion in the same doctrine of faith. (1) 1 Corinthians 10:32. (2) Psalm 122:6; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1. (3) 2 Corinthians 8:4, 6; Acts 11:29, 30; Romans 15:26, 27. (4) Romans 16:1, 2; 3 Epistles of John 8, 9. (5) Acts 15:2. (6) 1 Timothy 3:15.

Explication.

Churches being gathered and setled according to the mind of Christ, ought to preserve a mutual holy communion among themselves, and to exercise it, in the discharge of those duties whereby their mutuall good and edification may be promoted. For whereas they are all united under one Head the Lord Christ (Ephesians 1:22, 23), in the same faith and order (Ephesians 4:5), and do walk by the same rule, they stand in such a relation one to another, as is the ground of the communion spoken of. Now the principal wayes, whereby they exercise this communion, are the acts and duties enumerated in the answer to this Question; as,

First, Carefull walking so as to give no offence to one another; which although it be a moral duty in reference to all, yet therein especial regard is to be had to other Churches of Christ, that they be not in any thing grieved or tempted (1 Corinthians 10:32): "Give none offence; neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God."

Secondly, In constant prayer for the peace, welfare, edification and prosperity one of another (Romans 1:9; Colossians 1:9; Ephesians 6:18), and this because of the special concernment of the name and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, in their welfare.

Thirdly, In communicating of supplyes for their relief according to their ability, in case of the outward wants, straits, dangers, or necessities of any of them (Acts 11:29, 30; Romans 15:26, 27; 2 Corinthians 8:1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 14).

Fourthly, The receiving of the members of other Churches to communion, in the celebration of Church Ordinances, is another way whereby this communion of Churches is exercised (Romans 16:1, 2; 3 Epistles of John 8, 9). For whereas the personal right of such persons to the Ordinances of the Church, and their orderly walking in the observation of the commands of Christ, are known by the testimony of the Church whereof they are members, they may without farther enquiry or satisfaction given, be looked on pro tempore as members of the Church wherein they desire fellowship, and participation of the Ordinances of Christ.

Fifthly, In desiring or making use of the counsel and advice of one another, in such cases of doubt and difficulty, whether doctrinal, or practical, as may arise in any of them (Acts 15:2, 6). And from hence it follows, that in case any Church either by errour in doctrine, or precipitation, or mistake in other administrations, do give offence to other Churches, those other Churches may require an account from them, admonish them of their faults, and withhold communion from them, in case they persist in the errour of their way; and that because in their difficulties, and before their miscarriages, they were bound to have desired the advice, counsel and assistance of those other Churches, which being neglected by them, the other are to recover the end of it to their utmost ability (Galatians 2:6, 11). And hence also it follows, that those that are rightly and justly censured in any Church, ought to be rejected by all Churches whatever; both because of their mutuall communion, and because it is, and ought to be presumed, untill the contrary be made to appear, that in case there had been any difficulty, or doubt in the proceedure of the Church, they would have taken the advice of those Churches, with whom they were obliged to consult.

Lastly, Whereas the Churches have all of them one common faith, and are all obliged to hold forth and declare it to all men as they have opportunity (1 Timothy 3:15), to testifie this their mutual communion, their interest in the same faith and hope, for the more open declaration and proposition of the truths of the Gospel which they profess, and for the vindication both of the truth, and themselves, from false charges and imputations, they may, and if God give opportunity, ought to joyn together in declaring and testifying their joynt consent and fellowship in the same doctrine of faith, expressed in a form of sound words.