Modern 1689 Confession

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Reeves

Chapter 32: Of the Last Judgment

1. God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ; to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.

( Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:3; Jude 6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:10, 12; Matthew 25:32-46 )

2. The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient; for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

( Romans 9:22, 23; Matthew 25:21, 34; 2 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 )

3. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity, so will he have the day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come, and may ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus; come quickly. Amen.

( 2 Corinthians 5:10, 11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-40; Revelation 22:20 )

Chapter 32

The Last Judgment

1. God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ,¹ to whom all power and judgment is given by the Father.  In that day, the apostate angels will be judged.²   So also, all people who have lived on the earth will appear before the judgment seat of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds and to receive repayment according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.³

¹Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27. ²1 Corinthians 6:3; Jude 6. ³2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:10, 12; Matthew 25:32-46.

2. God's purpose for appointing this day is to manifest the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect, and of his justice in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient.⁴ For at that time the righteous will go into everlasting life and receive fullness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards in the presence of the Lord.  But the wicked, who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be thrown into everlasting torments⁵ and punished with everlasting destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power.⁶

⁴Romans 9:22, 23. ⁵Matthew 25:21, 34; 2 Timothy 4:8. ⁶Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.

3. Christ desires that we be firmly convinced that a day of judgment will come, both to deter everyone from sin⁷ and to comfort the godly more fully in their adversity.⁸  For this reason, he has determined to keep the day secret, to encourage people to shake off any fleshly security and always to be watchful, because they do not know the hour when the Lord will come⁹ and so that they may always be prepared to say, “Come Lord Jesus; come quickly. Amen.”¹⁰

⁷2 Corinthians 5:10, 11. ⁸2 Thessalonians 1:5-7. ⁹Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35, 36. ¹⁰Revelation 22:20.

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Reeves

Chapter 31: Of the State of Man after Death and Of the Resurrection of the Dead

1. The bodies of men after death return to dust, and see corruption; but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise, where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day; besides these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.

( Genesis 3:19; Acts 13:36; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6,8; Philippians 1:23; Hebrews 12:23; Jude 6, 7; 1 Peter 3:19; Luke 16:23, 24 )

2. At the last day, such of the saints as are found alive, shall not sleep, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the selfsame bodies, and none other; although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.

( 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Job 19:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 43 )

3. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonour; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honour, and be made conformable to his own glorious body.

( Acts 24:15; John 5:28, 29; Philippians 3:21 )

Chapter 31

The State of Humanity after Death and the Resurrection of the Dead

1. The bodies of those who have died return to dust and undergo decay.¹  But their souls neither die nor sleep, because they have an immortal character, and immediately return to God who gave them.² The souls of the righteous are then made perfect in holiness and are received into paradise.  There they are with Christ and behold the face of God in light and glory while they wait for the full redemption of their bodies.³  The souls of the wicked are thrown into hell, where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved for the judgment of the great day.⁴  The Scripture recognizes no place other than these two for souls separated from their bodies.

¹Genesis 3:19; Acts 13:36. ²Ecclesiastes 12:7. ³Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6,8; Philippians 1:23; Hebrews 12:23. ⁴Jude 6, 7; 1 Peter 3:19; Luke 16:23, 24.

2. At the last day, those saints who are found alive will not sleep but will be changed.⁵  All the dead will be raised up with the very same bodies, not different ones,⁶ though they will have different qualities.  Their bodies will be united again to their souls forever.⁷

⁵1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:17. ⁶Job 19:26, 27. ⁷1 Corinthians 15:42, 43.

3. The bodies of the unjust will be raised by the power of Christ to dishonor.  By his Spirit the bodies of the just will be raised to honor and will be made like Christ’s own glorious body.⁸

⁸Acts 24:15; John 5:28, 29; Philippians 3:21.

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Reeves

Chapter 30: Of the Lord's Supper

1. The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same night wherein he was betrayed, to be observed in his churches, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance, and shewing forth the sacrifice of himself in his death, confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits thereof, their spiritual nourishment, and growth in him, their further engagement in, and to all duties which they owe to him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other.

( 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17,21 )

2. In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sin of the quick or dead, but only a memorial of that one offering up of himself by himself upon the cross, once for all; and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same. So that the popish sacrifice of the mass, as they call it, is most abominable, injurious to Christ's own sacrifice the alone propitiation for all the sins of the elect.

( Hebrews 9:25, 26, 28; 1 Corinthians 11:24; Matthew 26:26, 27 )

3. The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to a holy use, and to take and break the bread; to take the cup, and, they communicating also themselves, to give both to the communicants.

( 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, etc. )

4. The denial of the cup to the people, worshipping the elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about for adoration, and reserving them for any pretended religious use, are all contrary to the nature of this ordinance, and to the institution of Christ.

( Matthew 26:26-28; Matthew 15:9; Exodus 20:4, 5 )

5. The outward elements in this ordinance, duly set apart to the use ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truly, although in terms used figuratively, they are sometimes called by the names of the things they represent, to wit, the body and blood of Christ, albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly and only bread and wine, as they were before.

( 1 Corinthians 11:27; 1 Corinthians 11:26-28 )

6. That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine, into the substance of Christ's body and blood, commonly called transubstantiation, by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant not to Scripture alone, but even to common sense and reason, overthroweth the nature of the ordinance, and hath been, and is, the cause of manifold superstitions, yea, of gross idolatries.

( Acts 3:21; Luke 14:6, 39; 1 Corinthians 11:24, 25 )

7. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this ordinance, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually receive, and feed upon Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death; the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally, but spiritually present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses.

( 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 )

8. All ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with Christ, so are they unworthy of the Lord's table, and cannot, without great sin against him, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries, or be admitted thereunto; yea, whosoever shall receive unworthily, are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, eating and drinking judgment to themselves.

( 2 Corinthians 6:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 11:29; Matthew 7:6 )

Chapter 30

The Lord's Supper

1. The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same night he was betrayed.  It is to be observed in his churches to the end of the age as a perpetual remembrance and display of his sacrifice in his death.¹  It is given for the confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits of Christ’s death, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, and their further engagement in and to all the duties they owe him.  The supper is to be a bond and pledge of their communion with Christ and each other.²

¹1 Corinthians 11:23-26. ²1 Corinthians 10:16, 17, 21.

2. In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor is any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sin of the living or the dead.  It is only a memorial of the one offering Christ made of himself on the cross once for all.³  It is also a spiritual offering of the highest possible praise to God for that sacrifice.⁴ Thus, the Roman Catholic sacrifice of the mass (as they call it) is utterly detestable and detracts from Christ's own sacrifice, which is the only propitiation for all the sins of the elect.⁵

³Hebrews 9:25, 26, 28. ⁴1 Corinthians 11:24; Matthew 26:26, 27.

3. In this ordinance the Lord Jesus has appointed his ministers to pray and to bless the elements of bread and wine and in this way to set them apart from a common to a holy use.  They are to take and break the bread, take the cup, and give both to the communicants while also participating themselves.⁵

⁵1 Corinthians 11:23-26, etc.

4. Denying the cup to the people, worshipping the elements, lifting them up or carrying them around for adoration, or reserving them for some pretended religious use are all contrary to the nature of this ordinance and to the institution of Christ.⁶

⁶Matthew 26:26-28; 15:9; Exodus 20:4, 5.

5. The outward elements in this ordinance, properly set apart for the use ordained by Christ, have such a relationship to Christ crucified that they are sometimes called—truly though figuratively—by the names of the things they represent, that is, the body and blood of Christ.⁷  However, in substance and nature they still remain truly and only bread and wine, as they were before.⁸

⁷1 Corinthians 11:27. ⁸1 Corinthians 11:26-28.

6. The doctrine commonly called transubstantiation teaches that the substance of bread and wine is changed into the substance of Christ's body and blood by the consecration of a priest or some other way.  This doctrine is hostile not only to Scripture⁹ but also to common sense and reason. It destroys the nature of the ordinance and has been and is the cause of many kinds of superstitions and of gross idolatries.¹⁰

⁹Acts 3:21; Luke 14:6, 39. ¹⁰1 Corinthians 11:24, 25.

7. Worthy recipients who outwardly partake of the visible elements in this ordinance also inwardly by faith—really and truly, yet not physically and bodily but spiritually—receive and feed on Christ crucified and all the benefits of his death.  The body and blood of Christ are not present bodily or physically in the ordinance but spiritually to the faith of believers, just as the elements themselves are present to their outward senses.¹¹

¹¹1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-26.

8. All ignorant and ungodly people are unfit to enjoy communion with Christ and are thus unworthy of the Lord's table.  As long as they remain in this condition, they cannot partake of these holy mysteries or be admitted to the Lord’s table without committing a great sin against Christ.¹² All those who receive the supper unworthily are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, eating and drinking judgment on themselves.¹³

¹²2 Corinthians 6:14, 15. ¹³1 Corinthians 11:29; Matthew 7:6.

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Reeves

Chapter 29: Of Baptism

1. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized, a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into him; of remission of sins; and of giving up into God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.

( Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2;12; Galatians 3:27; Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:4 )

2. Those who do actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects of this ordinance.

( Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36, 37; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8 )

3.The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, wherein the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

( Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38 )

4.Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary to the due administration of this ordinance. ( Matthew 3:16; John 3:23 )

Chapter 29

Baptism

1. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ.  To those baptized it is a sign of their fellowship with him in his death and resurrection, of their being grafted into him,¹ of remission of sins,² and of submitting themselves to God through Jesus Christ to live and walk in newness of life.³

¹Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27. ²Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16. ³Romans 6:4.

2. Those who personally profess repentance toward God and faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ are the only proper subjects of this ordinance.⁴

⁴Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36, 37; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8.

3. The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, in which the individual is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.⁵

⁵Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38.

4. Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary for this ordinance to be administered properly.⁶

⁶Matthew 3:16; John 3:23.

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Reeves

Chapter 28: Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper

1. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and sovereign institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be continued in his church to the end of the world.

( Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:26 )

2. These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are qualified and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ.

( Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 4:1 )

Chapter 28

Baptism and the Lord's Supper

1. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and sovereign institution.  They are appointed by the Lord Jesus the only lawgiver and are to be continued in his church to the end of the age.¹

¹Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:26.

2. These holy appointments are to be administered only by those who are qualified and called to administer them, according to the commission of Christ.²

²Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 4:1.

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Reeves

Chapter 27: Of the Communion of Saints

1. All saints that are united to Jesus Christ, their head, by his Spirit, and faith, although they are not made thereby one person with him, have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory; and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each others gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, in an orderly way, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.

( 1 John 1:3; John 1:16; Philippians 3:10; Romans 6:5, 6; Ephesians 4:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; Romans 1:12; 1 John 3:17, 18; Galatians 6:10 )

2. Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things according to their several abilities, and necessities; which communion, according to the rule of the gospel, though especially to be exercised by them, in the relation wherein they stand, whether in families, or churches, yet, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended to all the household of faith, even all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus; nevertheless their communion one with another as saints, doth not take away or infringe the title or propriety which each man hath in his goods and possessions.

( Hebrews 10:24, 25; Hebrews 3:12, 13; Acts 11:29, 30; Ephesians 6:4; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27; Acts 5:4; Ephesians 4:28 )

Chapter 27

The Communion of Saints

1. All saints are united to Jesus Christ their head by his Spirit and by faith, although this does not make them one person with him.  They have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory.¹  Since they are united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces² and are obligated to carry out these duties, both public and private, in an orderly way to promote their mutual good, both in the inner and outer aspects of their lives.³

¹1 John 1:3; John 1:16; Philippians 3:10; Romans 6:5, 6. ²Ephesians 4:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23. ³1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; Romans 1:12; 1 John 3:17, 18; Galatians 6:10.

2. Saints by profession are obligated to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in worshiping God and in performing other spiritual services that promote their mutual edification.⁴  They are to aid each other in material things according to their various abilities and needs.⁵  They should especially exercise communion in the relationships they have, in their families⁶ and churches.⁷  Yet the rule of the gospel also directs them, as God provides opportunity, to extend their sharing to the whole household of faith, to all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.  Nevertheless, their communion with one another as saints does not take away or infringe on the title or individual ownership that people have in their goods and possessions.⁸

⁴Hebrews 10:24, 25; Hebrews 3:12, 13. ⁵Acts 11:29, 30. ⁶Ephesians 6:4. ⁷1 Corinthians 12:14-27. ⁸Acts 5:4; Ephesians 4:28.

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Reeves

Chapter 26: Of the Church

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 intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons.

( Acts 20:17, 28; Philippians 1:1 )

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

( Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 4:14; Acts 6:3, 5, 6 )

10.____ The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with 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, but 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 entangled in secular affairs; and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others; and this is required by the law 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.

( Acts 6:4; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:17, 18; Galatians 6:6, 7; 2 Timothy 2:4; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Corinthians 9:6-14 )

11.____ Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors 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 gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.

( Acts 11:19-21; 1 Peter 4:10, 11 )

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 under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.

( 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15 )

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, in the further proceeding of the church.

( Matthew 18:15-17; Ephesians 4:2, 3 )

14.____ As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ, in all places, and upon all occasions to further 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 communion among themselves, for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification.

( Ephesians 6:18; Psalms 122:6; Romans 16:1, 2; 3 John 8-10 )

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, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned; howbeit these messengers assembled, are not intrusted 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 to impose their determination on the churches or officers.

( Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 25; 2 Corinthians 1:24; 1 John 4:1 )

Chapter 26

The Church

8. A local^a church, gathered and fully organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members.  The officers appointed by Christ are overseers or elders, and deacons.  They are to be chosen and set apart by the church called and gathered in this way, for the distinctive purpose of administering ordinances and for carrying out any other power or duty he entrusts them with or calls them to.  This pattern is to be continued to the end of the age.¹⁵

¹⁵Acts 20:17, 28; Philippians 1:1.

9. Christ has appointed the way to call someone prepared and gifted by the Holy Spirit to the office of overseer or elder in a church.  He must be chosen by the collective vote of the church itself.¹⁶  He must then be solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer.  The body of elders of the church must lay hands on him if there are any already in place.¹⁷  A deacon must be chosen by the same kind of vote and set apart by prayer and laying on of hands as well.¹⁸

¹⁶Acts 14:23. ¹⁷1 Timothy 4:14. ¹⁸Acts 6:3, 5, 6.

10. The work of pastors is to give attention constantly to the service of Christ in his churches in the ministry of the word and prayer.  They are to watch over the souls of church members as those who must give an account to Christ.¹⁹  The churches to whom they minister must not only give them all due respect but also must share with them from their supply of good things according to their ability.²⁰  They must do this so their pastors may have a comfortable living without having to be entangled in secular matters²¹ and so they can show hospitality to others.²²  This is required by the law of nature and by the explicit command of our Lord Jesus, who has ordained that those who preach the Gospel should earn their living by the Gospel.²³

¹⁹Acts 6:4; Hebrews 13:17. ²⁰1 Timothy 5:17, 18; Galatians 6:6, 7. ²¹2 Timothy 2:4. ²²1 Timothy 3:2. ²³1 Corinthians 9:6-14.

11. Although overseers or pastors of churches must be engaged in preaching the word as a function of their office, yet the work of preaching the word is not totally restricted to them.  Others who are also gifted and prepared by the Holy Spirit for it and approved and called by the church may and should preach.²⁴

²⁴Acts 11:19-21; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.

12. All believers are obligated to join themselves to local^a churches when and where they have the opportunity.  Likewise, all who are admitted to the privileges of a church are also subject to the discipline^b and government of it, according to the rule of Christ.²⁵

^bcensures

²⁵1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15.

13. Church members who have been offended and have performed their duty concerning the person they are offended at, should not disrupt any church action or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church or administration of any ordinances because of the offence at any of their fellow members.  Instead, they should look to Christ in the further action of the church.²⁶

²⁶Matthew 18:15-17; Ephesians 4:2, 3.

14. Every church and all its members are obligated to pray continually for the good and prosperity of all churches of Christ in every place.²⁷  They must also—at every opportunity within the limits of their stations and callings—exercise their gifts and graces to benefit every church.  Also, when churches are raised up by the providence of God, insofar as they enjoy opportunity and favorable circumstances for it, they should have fellowship among themselves for their peace, growth in love, and mutual edification.²⁸

²⁷Ephesians 6:18; Psalms 122:6. ²⁸Romans 16:1, 2; 3 John 8-10.

15. Cases of difficulties or differences—doctrinal or administrative—may arise, touching on the peace, union, and edification of all churches in general or an individual church. Other cases may occur when a member or members of a church are injured in or by disciplinary action that is not in keeping with truth and order.  In such cases, it is according to the mind of Christ for many churches having fellowship together to meet through their messengers to consider and give their advice concerning the issue in dispute and to report their advice to all the churches concerned.²⁹ Nevertheless, these assembled messengers are not entrusted with any church power, precisely speaking.  Neither do they have any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any discipline either over any churches or individuals or to impose their decision on the churches or officers.³⁰

²⁹Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 25. ³⁰2 Corinthians 1:24; 1 John 4:1.