Chapter 26: The Church

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1. The catholic or universal Church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole 1number of Spirit-baptized believers that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that fills all in all.

2. All persons throughout the world professing the faith of the gospel and obedience unto God by Christ, according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation, or unholiness of life, 2are and may be called visible saints; 3and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted.

3. The purest churches under heaven are subject 4to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated as to become 5no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan; nevertheless Christ always hath had and ever shall have a 6true Church in this world to the end thereof, of such as believe in him and make profession of his name.

4. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, in whom by the appointment of the Father, 7all power for the calling, institution, order, or government of the Church is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner.

5. In the execution of this power wherewith he is so entrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth out of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his word, by his Spirit, 8those that are given unto him by his Father; that they may walk before him in all the 9ways of obedience, which he prescribes to them in his word. Those thus called he commands to walk together in particular societies, or 10churches, for their mutual edification and the due performance of that public worship which he requires of them in the word.

6. The members of these churches are 11saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of Christ; and do willingly consent to walk together according to the appointment of Christ, giving up themselves to the Lord and one to another by the will of God 12in professed subjection to the ordinances of the gospel.

7. To each of these churches thus gathered, according to his mind declared in his word, he hath given all that 13power and authority which is any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline which he hath instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the due and right exerting and executing of that power.

8. A particular church gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered) for the peculiar administration of ordinances and execution of power or duty, which he entrusts them with or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are 14pastors or elders and deacons.

9. The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit unto the office of pastor or elder in a church is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common 15suffrage of the church itself; and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of the 16eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted therein; and of a deacon 17that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer and the like imposition of hands.

10. The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ in his churches in the ministry of the word and prayer, 18with watching for their souls as they that must give an account to him; it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister not only to give them all due respect, 19but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability so as they may have a comfortable supply without being themselves 20entangled in secular affairs and may also be capable of exercising 21hospitality toward others; and this is required by the 22law of nature and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they that preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

11. Although it be incumbent on the pastors or elders of the churches to be instant in preaching the word by way of office, yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them; but that others also 23gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.

12. As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches when and where they have opportunity so to do, so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church are also 24under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.

13. No church members upon any offence taken by them, having performed their duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any church order or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church or administration of any ordinances upon the account of such offence at any of their fellow members; but to wait upon Christ 25in the further proceeding of the church.

14. As each church and all the members of it are bound to 26pray continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ in all places; and upon all occasions to further it (every one within the bounds of their places and callings in the exercise of their gifts and graces) so the churches, when planted by the providence of God so as they may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold 27communion amongst themselves for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification.

15. In cases of difficulties or differences either in point of doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned or any one church in their peace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are injured in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order; it is according to the mind of Christ that many churches holding communion together, do by their messengers meet to consider 28and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned; howbeit these messengers assembled are not entrusted with any church power properly so called, or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons or 29to impose their determination on the churches or officers.

  1. Hebrews 12:23; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:10,22,23, 5:23,27,32 ↩︎
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 11:26 ↩︎
  3. Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:20,21,22 ↩︎
  4. 1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 2 & 3 ↩︎
  5. Revelation 18:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:11,12 ↩︎
  6. Matthew 16:18 ↩︎
  7. Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:18,19,20; Ephesians 4:11,12 ↩︎
  8. John 10:16, 12:32 ↩︎
  9. Matthew 28:20 ↩︎
  10. Matthew 18:15-20 ↩︎
  11. Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2 ↩︎
  12. Acts 2:41,42, 5:13,14; 2 Corinthians 9:13 ↩︎
  13. Matthew 18:17,18; 1 Corinthians 5:4,5,13; 2 Corinthians 2:6,7,8 ↩︎
  14. Acts 20:17,28; Philippians 1:1 ↩︎
  15. Acts 14:23 ↩︎
  16. 1 Timothy 4:14 ↩︎
  17. Acts 6:3,5,6 ↩︎
  18. Acts 6:4; Hebrews 13:17 ↩︎
  19. 1 Timothy 5:17,18; Galatians 6:6,7 ↩︎
  20. 2 Timothy 2:4 ↩︎
  21. 1 Timothy 3:2 ↩︎
  22. 1 Corinthians 9:6-14 ↩︎
  23. Acts 11:19,20,21; 1 Peter 4:10,11 ↩︎
  24. 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15 ↩︎
  25. Matthew 18:15,16,17; Ephesians 4:2,3 ↩︎
  26. Ephesians 6:18 ↩︎
  27. Romans 16:1,2; 3 John 8,9,10 ↩︎
  28. Acts 15:2,4,6,22,23,25 ↩︎
  29. 2 Corinthians 1:24; 1 John 4:1 ↩︎