1689 26.15

26.15. 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.

Proof texts

• Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 25 — [2] And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. [4] When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. [6] The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. [22] Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, [23] with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. [25] it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
• 2 Corinthians 1:24 — [24] Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
• 1 John 4:1 — [1] Beloved, 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.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 25 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WCF 25.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. HC Q54 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 25.1 · HC Q54 · HC Q55 · HC Q83 · HC Q84 · HC Q85 · BC 7.1 · BC 7.4 · BC 7.5 · BC 7.6 · SD 26.1