Questions on Chapter 5.

number, and simple and comprehensive in character. From the incipiency of the papal apostasy to the present day, a disposition to multiply and extend Church-rules and Articles of Faith beyond their legitimate and authorized limits has been the bane of the Church. In numerous instances the “law of God” has been made void by “the commandments of men,” or supplanted by the “traditions of the elders.”

On the other hand, oppressed by the tyrannical usurpations of such as would be “lords over God’s heritage,” some have rushed to an opposite extreme. In some instances they have gone so far as to discard all organization, or agreed plan of government; thus giving loose rein to the wildest anarchy or the most reckless latitudinarianism. The proper scriptural medium lies between these two extremes, There are some great leading principles clearly laid down in the New Testament as necessary to the proper organization of the Christian Church, and some great radical doctrines essential to salvation. These, whatever they may be found to be, must be recognized, or the Church cannot be erected on the scriptural basis. For illustration, as all must admit, the New Testament teaches:

1. That all organized Churches, under the apostolic administration, had public meetings for worship at appointed times and places.

2. That Church officers were appointed to superintend the public worship and other interests of the Church.

3. That baptism and the Lord’s-supper were administered to all — the former, on their first profession of the Christian faith; the latter, frequently at the regular meetings of the Church.

Various other items might be enumerated, but these are enough to show that there are some important matters pertaining to the organization and government of the Church clearly laid down in the New Testament. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 5.

QUESTION 1. What difficulty has resulted from not understanding what is implied in “a particular form of government”?

2. How have persons erred on this subject in two opposite extremes?

3. In what two different senses may we suppose that the government of the Christian Church might have been exhibited by Christ and his apostles?

4. Why is it improbable that the Christian Church should have been exhibited in minute detail?

5. Why is it unreasonable that no great leading principles should be given?

6. How do various constitutions differ from each other?

7. What will follow from the fact that no minute detail has been divinely prescribed?

8. What will follow from the fact that great leading principia have been laid down?

9. What is said of the essential principles relating to Church-government and of the Articles of Faith?

10. What has been a prevalent error in reference to them?

11. To what opposite extreme have others gone?

12. What three specifications are given showing that some leading principles of government are prescribed?