Church Officers and Government
By Editor
ANSWER.—On a subject of such vast importance, we wish to speak with becoming modesty. In regard to Church officers, order and government, the Divine Testimony must be our guide. And we do not hesitate to say that in "every Church where the numbers, and talents, and graces of individuals are sufficient," the officers of the Church of God should be appointed. Care should be taken lest persons be appointed, not possessing scripture qualifications. And in our opinion they should be set apart to their work by those of experience and sound judgment, whom God has called to labor in word and doctrine, after being selected by the voice of the church. "And when they [Paul and Barnabas] had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained [cheirotonesantes, to vote, or choose by lifting up the hand, Greenfield's Greek Lexicon of the New Testament] them Elders in every Church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord on whom they believed." Acts xiv, 21-23. The same apostles that preached the gospel, returned and exhorted and confirmed the souls of the disciples, ordained Elders in the churches. Says Paul to Titus, his "own son after the common faith," "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain Elders in every city, as I had appointed thee." Titus i, 5. The qualifications of Elders, or Bishops, are given in verses 6-9, and reasons for Church officers and Church order are given in verses 10-16. There is certainly all the necessity for order in the Church of God now that ever existed. And we may reasonably conclude that in the "perilous times" of the "last days," when the Church is being fitted for immortality, that greater efforts for order will be called for than at any previous time. Satan hates this sentiment. Disorderly spirits scorn the idea of order in the Church of God, and talk of its being "like the old churches." But we are sure that God does not call his people to leave the churches to run into wild confusion. The imperfect systems of human creeds are far preferable. O, that God would let his people see that what his word requires of them is to leave the weak and imperfect systems of men, only to embrace the all-powerful and perfect system of order, set forth in the New Testament by inspiration of God. Some talk loudly of coming out of Babylon, who carry a perfect Babel of confusion, and unscriptural notions with them, and in their own little congregations, and in their own families may be seen more of real Babylon than in many of the nominal churches. The influence of such persons is probably the greatest cause of the low state of some among us. The Scriptures present a perfect system, which, if carried out, will save the Church from impostors, will give those who labor in word and doctrine, who are approved of God and the Church, a comfortable support, that they may go forth preaching the word, confirming the souls of the disciples, setting things in order in the Churches, that they may regularly enjoy the ordinances of the Church of God, and grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the truth. We hope these remarks will call out a free expression on this subject from several brethren.