Modern 1689 Confession

 Original

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.

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 26: Of the Church

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 number of the elect, 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 filleth all in all.

( Hebrews 12:23; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:10, 22, 23; Ephesians 5:23, 27, 32 )

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 conversation, are and may be called visible saints; and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted.

( 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 11:26; Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:20-22 )

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

( 1 Corinthians 5; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 18:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12; Matthew 16:18; Psalms 72:17; Psalm 102:28; Revelation 12:17 )

4. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner; neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

( Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11, 12; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-9 )

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

( John 10:16; John 12:32; Matthew 28:20; Matthew 18:15-20 )

6. The members of these churches are saints 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, in professed subjection to the ordinances of the Gospel.

( Romans. 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 5:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 9:13 )

7. To each of these churches thus gathered, according to his mind declared in his word, he hath given all that power and authority, which is in 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.

( Matthew 18:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 5:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 5:13; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8 )

Chapter 26

The Church

1. The catholic—that is, universal—church may be called invisible with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace.  It consists of the full number of the elect who have been, are, or will be gathered into one under Christ her head.  The church is the spouse, the body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.¹

¹Hebrews 12:23; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:10, 22, 23; Ephesians 5:23, 27, 32.

2. All people throughout the world who profess the faith of the gospel and obedience to God through Christ in keeping with the gospel are and may be called visible saints,² as long as they do not destroy their own profession by any foundational errors or unholy living.  All local^a congregations ought to be made up of these.³

^aparticular (all cases rendered “local” in this chapter)

²1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 11:26. ³Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:20-22.

3. The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error.⁴ Some have degenerated so much that they have ceased to be churches of Christ and have become synagogues of Satan.⁵ Nevertheless, Christ always has had and will have in this world to the very end a kingdom of those who believe in him and profess his name.⁶

⁴1 Corinthians 5; Revelation 2; Revelation 3. ⁵Revelation 18:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12. ⁶Matthew 16:18; Psalms 72:17; Psalm 102:28; Revelation 12:17.

4. The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church.  By the Father’s appointment, all authority is conferred on him in a supreme and sovereign manner to call, institute, order and govern the church.⁷  The Pope of Roman Catholicism cannot in any sense be head of the church; rather, he is the antichrist, the man of lawlessness, and the son of destruction, who exalts himself in the church against Christ and all that is called God.  The Lord will destroy him with the brightness of his coming.⁸

⁷Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11, 12. ⁸2 Thessalonians 2:2-9.

5. In exercising the authority entrusted to him, the Lord Jesus, through the ministry of his Word and by his Spirit, calls to himself out of the world those who are given to him by his Father.⁹  They are called to live before him in all the ways of obedience that he prescribes for them in his Word.¹⁰  Those who are called he commands to live together in local^a societies, or churches, for their mutual edification and the fitting conduct of public worship that he requires of them while they are in the world.¹¹

⁹John 10:16; John 12:32. ¹⁰Matthew 28:20. ¹¹Matthew 18:15-20.

6. The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly displaying and demonstrating in and by their profession and life their obedience to the call of Christ.¹²  They willingly agree to live together according to Christ’s instructions, giving themselves to the Lord and to one another by the will of God, with the stated purpose of following the ordinances of the Gospel.¹³

¹²Romans. 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2. ¹³Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 5:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 9:13.

7. To every church gathered in this way, conforming to Christ’s mind as declared in his Word, he has given all power and authority that is in any way necessary to conduct the form of worship and discipline that he has instituted for them to observe.  He has also given them commands and rules to use and carry out that power rightly and properly.¹⁴

¹⁴Matthew 18:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 5:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 5:13; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8.

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 25: Of Marriage

1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time.

( Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:15; Matthew 19:5,6 )

2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and the preventing of uncleanness.

( Genesis 2:18; Genesis 1:28; 1 Corinthians 7:2, 9 )

3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord; and therefore such as profess the true religion, should not marry with infidels, or idolaters; neither should such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresy.

( Hebrews 13:4; 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Corinthians 7:39; Nehemiah 13:25-27 )

4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity, forbidden in the Word; nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful, by any law of man or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife.

( Leviticus 18; Mark 6:18; 1 Corinthians 5:1 )

Chapter 25

Marriage

1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman.  A man must not have more than one wife nor a woman more than one husband at the same time.¹

¹Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:15; Matthew 19:5, 6.

2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife,² for the increase of humanity with legitimate offspring,³ and for the prevention of immorality.⁴

²Genesis 2:18. ³Genesis 1:28. ⁴1 Corinthians 7:2, 9.

3. Everyone who is able to give rational consent may marry.⁵  Yet Christians are to marry in the Lord.⁶  Therefore, those who profess the true religion should not marry unbelievers or idolaters.  Nor should the godly be unequally yoked by marrying those who lead evil lives or hold to damnable heresy.⁷

⁵Hebrews 13:4; 1 Timothy 4:3. ⁶1 Corinthians 7:39. ⁷Nehemiah 13:25-27.

4. Marriage should not occur within the degrees of blood relationship or kinship that are forbidden in the Word.⁸  These incestuous marriages can never be made lawful, so that the individuals may live together as husband and wife, by any human law or consent of the parties involved.⁹

⁸Leviticus 18. ⁹Mark 6:18; 1 Corinthians 5:1.