CHURCH ORDER by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 23, 1878

CHURCH ORDER.

By A. S. Hutchins

BY ELD. A. S. HUTCHINS.

TEXT: “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” 1 Cor. 14:33.

No work can compare in importance with the work of the church of God, as she goes forth upon her mission of love, bearing beams of sacred light to a perishing world. The voice of the Master is, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” And Paul writes to Titus: “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting.” Titus 1:5.

Casting our minds back to ancient Israel, we behold the order ordained of God. In their journeyings and in their encampments, there must be order. In all their devotional exercises,—in their songs of praise, in their hours of worship, and in their sacrifices and offerings,—the strictest order must prevail. Tabernacle and temple service must be respected, and everywhere, in all their vast assemblies, everything must proclaim, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”

James testifies: “Wherever envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” The marginal reading for confusion in each of these texts, is, tumult, or, unquietness. Wherever these elements prevail, whether in families, churches, or communities, it is certain the peace of God does not rule; and no heart that cherishes them can prosper spiritually. They are from the source from which every evil work springs.

Envy is defined to be vexation at another’s good. It is classed among the works of the flesh. It not only led Cain to be very wroth, and his countenance to fall, but it led him to take the life of his brother. And to-day it burns and wrangles in the bosom of thousands who profess the religion of the meek and lowly Lamb of God. And respecting strife, Solomon says, “The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.”

The peace which God ordains in all the churches proceeds from heavenly wisdom, and is one of the fruits of the Spirit, and as love is the bond of perfectness, so peace is the bond of union in the church of Christ. “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph. 4:3.

1. Then to secure and maintain church order there must be union with Christ, the great Head of the church, the true Vine, from whence we derive nourishment and strength. He is the chief corner-stone, uniting all Israel under both houses. Through him both have access to the Father by one Spirit. “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Eph. 2:22. Here is a sure foundation, planned and laid by heavenly wisdom. “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

2. There must be union one with another. The church is called the body of Christ. The union and harmonious action of the members of the natural body are referred to by the apostle to illustrate the union and harmony which should characterize that body composed of true believers. Mark the sacred and close connection with Christ which it is our privilege to enjoy: “We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” Eph. 5:30.

It is unbelief, it is disobedience, it is sin, that separates hearts, leads to darkness, and prevents Christian fellowship. There is a message which if obeyed both unites hearts and cleanses from all sin: “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:5–7.

3. The union which believers in, and followers of, Christ, thus cleansed from all sin, may and should enjoy while struggling against the powers of darkness and for victory in the name of Jesus, is not alone a union of spirit, or a mutual agreement, to “differ in love,” but it contemplates a unity of faith. The apostle wrote to his brethren at Philippi: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Phil. 2:1, 2. And to the church at Rome, he wrote: “Be of the same mind one toward another.” “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.” On the subject of the unity of faith, he wrote to the brethren at Corinth: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment.” 1 Cor. 1:10.

For the unity and oneness of the church, as a convincing evidence to the world that the Father had sent him, the Son earnestly prayed, “that they may be one, even as we are one.” And when his work was completed

here, and he ascended on high, he gave gifts unto men. The apostle expressly declares their object to be, the perfecting of the saints, the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come unto the unity of the faith.

4. Order in the church cannot exist without some form of organization. That adopted by Seventh-day Adventists, “covenanting together to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, taking the name of Seventh-day Adventists,” is both simple and effectual. Holding the Bible as our rule of faith, as our great subject book and text book, we may walk in that light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

5. Every church must have its officers. There must be an elder or elders, or a leader, and of necessity a clerk; and many churches need a deacon or deacons. Paul left Titus in Crete, not only to set things in order, but to ordain elders in every city. The qualifications of the elder and deacon are clearly set forth in Paul’s first letter to Timothy; and in writing to Titus he dwells upon the same thought respecting the blameless life of the elder or bishop.

If congregations gathered by the truths of the third angel’s message wait till they find all the desired qualifications of the elder, without first giving him experience, they may wait too long. It seems to me the graces and qualifications set forth in Paul’s letters as those which the elder should possess, are rather attainments which he should seek for than qualities he should absolutely possess at first. The church does not wait, in the case of the young man chosen and ordained and sent forth to preach the gospel, for a development of all that soundness of judgment, depth of experience, or maturity of years, which it is hoped he may attain unto as he devotes his energies and life to the service of the Master, in his vineyard. Then when it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to the church, to make choice of one to serve in the capacity of a local elder, or leader of the church, why not give him a chance to gain knowledge in spiritual things, and to settle into the work of God, by experience? Why settle back, or why turn and draw in an opposite direction, if our minds are not always met? Why whisper and backbite, and say unkind and unchristian things about the leader, instead of praying for him?

In dwelling upon the relation existing between the elder and the church, Peter gives the members instruction as well as the leader. He had been a witness of the sufferings of Christ, he had shamefully denied his Lord, but heartily repented. He had become advanced in life, and years had given him experience; he had partaken of the glory that will be revealed when the Master shall come again. He was a suitable man to counsel the elders and the church. Let us hear him:—

“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 1 Pet. 5:2–5.

The relation of one to another in the church of God is too sacred to be marred by jealousies, contentions, and insubordination. A living, warm-hearted, and stirring elder in the church is one of its greatest blessings; he is its brightest light, the very soul of its organization. The church thus favored, which have learned to esteem the leader, and stand by him, may expect the blessing of God to rest upon their efforts, and experimentally may know the joy and blessedness of being at peace among themselves.