1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 26
Of the Church
The Catholick 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 1
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Hebrews 12:2323in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
Colossians 1:1818And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.
Ephesians 1:1010as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.
Ephesians 1:2222And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,
Ephesians 1:2323which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 5:2323For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.
Ephesians 5:2727and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.
Ephesians 5:3232This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.
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 unholyness of conversation, are and may be called visible Saints; and of such ought all particular Congregations to be constituted.
Scripture references for paragraph 2
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Corinthians 1:22To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
Acts 11:2626and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
Romans 1:77To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:2020which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,
Ephesians 1:2121far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:2222And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,
The purest Churches under heaven are subject to mixture, and error; and som have so degenerated as to become no Churches of Christ, but Synagogues of Satan; nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a Kingdome in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his Name.
Scripture references for paragraph 3
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Corinthians 151Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm.
2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve.
6After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
7Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
8And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth.
9For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
11Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith.
15In that case, we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised.
16For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised.
17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men.
20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
23But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him.
24Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power.
25For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.
26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
27For “God has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him.
28And when all things have been subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all.
29If these things are not so, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?
30And why do we endanger ourselves every hour?
31I face death every day, brothers, as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord.
32If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
33Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
34Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.
35But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?”
36You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.
37And what you sow is not the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or something else.
38But God gives it a body as He has designed, and to each kind of seed He gives its own body.
39Not all flesh is the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another, and fish another.
40There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the splendor of the heavenly bodies is of one degree, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is of another.
41The sun has one degree of splendor, the moon another, and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
42So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable.
43It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
44It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
45So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being;” the last Adam a life-giving spirit.
46The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual.
47The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.
48As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.
49And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.
50Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
52in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
53For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55“Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”
56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Revelation 21“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.
2I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles.
3Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name.
4But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love.
5Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
6But you have this to your credit: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.
8To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life.
9I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan.
10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.
12To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of the One who holds the sharp, double-edged sword.
13I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits. Yet you have held fast to My name and have not denied your faith in Me, even in the day when My faithful witness Antipas was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
15In the same way, some of you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.
17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.
18To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze.
19I know your deeds—your love, your faith, your service, your perseverance—and your latter deeds are greater than your first.
20But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
21Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling.
22Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds.
23Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
24But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned the so-called deep things of Satan: I will place no further burden upon you.
25Nevertheless, hold fast to what you have until I come.
26And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations.
27He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery —just as I have received authority from My Father.
28And I will give him the morning star.
29He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 31“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead.
2Wake up and strengthen what remains, which was about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God.
3Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.
4But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white.
5Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.
6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
7To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.
8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. For you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.
9Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you.
10Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
12The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.
13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
14To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.
15I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other!
16So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!
17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
19Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
21To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 18:22And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.
2 Thessalonians 2:1111For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie,
2 Thessalonians 2:1212in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.
Matthew 16:1818And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
Psalms 72:1717May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed.
Psalms 102:2828The children of Your servants will dwell securely, and their descendants will be established before You.”
Revelation 12:1717And the dragon was enraged at the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.
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 supream & soveraigne 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 4
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Colossians 1:1818And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.
Matthew 28:1818Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
Matthew 28:1919Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:2020and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Ephesians 4:1111And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
Ephesians 4:1212to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,
2 Thessalonians 2:3-93Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.
4He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
5Do you not remember that I told you these things while I was still with you?
6And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.
7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way.
8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.
9The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
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 publick worship, which he requireth of them in the World.
Scripture references for paragraph 5
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
John 10:1616I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.
John 12:3232And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.”
Matthew 28:2020and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 18:15-2015If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.
20For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”
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 & one to another by the will of God, in professed subjection to the Ordinances of the Gospel.
Scripture references for paragraph 6
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Romans 1:77To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:22To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
Acts 2:4141Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.
Acts 2:4242They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 5:1313Although the people regarded them highly, no one else dared to join them.
Acts 5:1414Yet more and more believers were brought to the Lord—large numbers of both men and women.
2 Corinthians 9:1313Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.
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 any way needfull, 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 7
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 18:1717If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Matthew 18:1818Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
1 Corinthians 5:44When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of the Lord Jesus,
1 Corinthians 5:55hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 5:1313God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
2 Corinthians 2:66The punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient for him.
2 Corinthians 2:77So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
2 Corinthians 2:88Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
A particular Church gathered, and compleatly 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 8
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Acts 20:1717From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
Acts 20:2828Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
Philippians 1:11Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
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 it self; 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 9
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Acts 14:2323Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
1 Timothy 4:1414Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.
Acts 6:33Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them
Acts 6:55This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
Acts 6:66They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
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 toward 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 10
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Acts 6:44and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Hebrews 13:1717Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
1 Timothy 5:1717Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
1 Timothy 5:1818For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”
Galatians 6:66Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.
Galatians 6:77Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
2 Timothy 2:44A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
1 Timothy 3:22An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
1 Corinthians 9:6-146Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?
7Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk?
8Do I say this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing?
9For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?
10Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.
11If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you?
12If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
13Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings?
14In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
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.
Scripture references for paragraph 11
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Acts 11:1919Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews.
Acts 11:2020But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.
Acts 11:2121The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
1 Peter 4:1010As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
1 Peter 4:1111If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
As all Believers are bound to joyn themselves to particular Churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; So all that are admitted unto the priviledges of a Church, are also under the Censures and Government thereof, according to the Rule of Christ.
Scripture references for paragraph 12
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Thessalonians 5:1414And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
2 Thessalonians 3:66Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
2 Thessalonians 3:1414Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.
2 Thessalonians 3:1515Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
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.
Scripture references for paragraph 13
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 18:1515If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
Matthew 18:1616But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
Matthew 18:1717If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Ephesians 4:22with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Ephesians 4:33and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
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 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 injoy opportunity and advantage for it) ought to hold communion amongst themselves for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification.
Scripture references for paragraph 14
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Ephesians 6:1818Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
Psalms 122:66Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper.
Romans 16:11I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.
Romans 16:22Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.
3 John 1:88Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
3 John 1:99I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.
3 John 1:1010So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.
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 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 to impose their determination on the Churches, or Officers.
Scripture references for paragraph 15
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Acts 15:22And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 15:44On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through them.
Acts 15:66So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
Acts 15:2222Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers,
Acts 15:2323and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
Acts 15:2525So we all agreed to choose men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
2 Corinthians 1:2424Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.
1 John 4:11Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Source and edition
1689 London Baptist Confession. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription
Unlicense. Source transcription.
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