THEOLOGICAL QUERIES by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 24, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 49.

THEOLOGICAL QUERIES.

By Editor

The Committee on Theological Queries reported as follows:—

The Committee to whom was referred the subject of the ordination of local elders, would respectfully report that we find there is a difference of opinion existing, and there has been a difference in practice in different Conferences, in regard to the jurisdiction of local elders, or to the extent of their authority to act. In some places the jurisdiction and ordination have been looked upon as confined to the church which elected them; in other cases, they have been permitted to administer the ordinances wherever they might chance to be, as unrestricted as a minister. We have tried to canvass the ground thoroughly, and find that there are difficulties in both positions if separately traced to their conclusions. All agree that it is to be regarded as purely a matter of church discipline, and we believe there is truth in both positions which may be combined into one consistent system. We therefore offer the following recommendations:—

1. That the jurisdiction of a local elder, or his authority to administer the ordinances, be confined to that church which elected him as elder; the only exception to this is where the Conference Committee deems it advisable to instruct him to go to another church under special circumstances.

2. If he be re-elected, or properly elected elder of another church, his ordination shall stand good. He need not be re-ordained.

3. But in case of his removal to another church or another Conference, the fact that he has acted as elder over another church should not be considered a ground for calling him to act as elder again. The church should consider his qualifications just as they would if he had never been an elder; and if there is any doubt, inquiry should be made of some minister or of an officer of the Conference, to ascertain whether he filled the office acceptably.

4. It is well understood that a license from the Conference does not authorize the licentiate to celebrate the ordinances, to administer baptism, or to organize a church. And, therefore, if a local elder receive a ministerial license, it does not enlarge his sphere of action as an elder; it gives him no authority to celebrate the ordinances outside of the church of which he is acting as elder.

5. And, finally, though his ordination shall stand good for all time, except in case of apostasy, whenever and wherever he may properly be called to act, he cannot exercise the functions of an elder beyond the time for which he was elected, unless he is re-elected, or elected by another church. But if from any cause there should be a failure to hold an election, he may then act until his successor shall be elected.

We believe that a failure to regard either of the above recommendations will open the way to disorder and confusion in our churches.

The question has been proposed to the Committee: If a contractor sub-lets a part of his work, and the sub-contractor does work upon the Sabbath, is the contractor responsible?

It is difficult to answer this question because there are so many contingencies presenting themselves; contracts assume so many different phases. We will try to clear the case of some of its difficulties.

1. If the contractor did his work on Sunday, and the sub-contractor worked on the same premises on Sabbath, this would bring reproach, as it would appear to the world that the contractor had work done on his job every day of the week.

2. If the sub-contractor was incompetent or unreliable, and needed to be watched every day to insure his doing his work right, the watching on the part of the contractor, or of any one in his employ, would be a violation of the Sabbath.

3. Any sub-contract which involved oversight, care, or anxiety on the part of the contractor, would be wrong, as the contractor could not rest on the Sabbath to the Lord, and he free from his worldly business, if he were obliged to have such care, oversight, or anxiety.

4. We think that a strictly conscientious regard for the Sabbath on the part of the contractor, will guard him from making a contract which will wound his own conscience, or give the world occasion to reproach him.