Presbytopia Session 6

Chapter 9 Government Biblically Balanced.

Ken begins this section on church government quoting 1 corinthians 14 which speaks to orderly Worship.

1 Corinthians 14:40 “But all things should be done decently and in order.”

God declares that things should be done decently and in Order.

And this is what this chapter centers around.

We don’t want disorder in the church.

That would just be confusing.

Rather we want Order

And to worship our God correctly

Which leads us to our first question Ken gives us on Page 80 in our book.

Q1. What are the Old Testament foundations for church government and how did they find fulfillment in the New Testament?

Old Testament examples

Moses - Lawgiver

Samuel - Judge

David - King

Ken points out that God has always had leaders to guide his people.

Even after they came out of exile EZRA was made their priest and Nehemiah was their governor.

Galatians 6:16 ESV

And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

Jews and gentiles are both spoke of being brought into the church in Eph 2:11-22

Ken points out that just like Israel the church is called a holly nation.

We see that in

Exodus 19:6 “and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.””

and 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

and a visible manifestation of the kingdom of God is seen in

Rev 1:4-6 “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Q2. How does Christ Rule His church?

Christ rules his church through his office bearers.

This began with his apostles in which he promised that whatever they bind on earth would be bound in heaven.

We see this in Matt 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.””

Ken points out that this is legal language

Binding involves closing.

While loosing involves opening.

Binding declares that someone is outside of the church through unbelief or censure .

While loosing proclaims that a person is loosed from sin and received into the church.

The apostles served as a foundational level of leadership.

They were receiving and recording the word of God.

Which we are taught in

Eph 2:20 “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,”

This leadership was passed to others called presbyters according to Acts 20:17 “Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.”

And Acts 20:28 “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

Q3. What is Episcopalianism and what are its problems?

pg.77 speaks to this.

Episcopalian is defined as a church ruled by bishops.

This would be your Episcopalians And Methodists

Becasue their leaders are appointed or given to them.

They don’t choose their leaders.

Episcopalianism is a hierarchical system with roots in the early Church History.

Although it has roots in Early church history

It’s roots we will find are not found in the Old or New Testaments.

Episcopalianism has archbishops that sit at the top.

In the case of the Roman Catholic Church you have the pope.

Which shows their hierarchical view of church office.

Ken points that although this is appealing because of the clear line or view of who is in charge.

This is still not a biblical position.

Because the scriptures link or use the Greek words episkopos and presbuteros To describe the same office of Elder in

Titus 1:5-7 “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders “presbuteros” in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, “episkopos” as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,”

So these Ephesians elders were considered Presbyter’s and bishops.

Ken points out that even though their has been church tradition in history than men were bishops.

We must always submit to the greater authority which is the Scriptures which clearly teach their is no difference in these terms describing the office of Elder.

Next we will look at Congregationalism.

Q4. What is congregationalism and what are its problems?

Congregationalism or independency is a church defined as being ruled by the congregation.

This would be your

Baptists

Brethren church’s

Non denominational church’s

Ken points out that this system recognizes different offices within the local church.

But it also resists hierarchies and generally deemphasizes connections with other church’s.

Congregationalist would maybe find inter church relations as useful but optional.

Accountability outside the local congregation is a matter of preference.

So what are the problems with this?

If you have any problems that can’t be resolved in the local body you are not likely to get them resolved.

Because other church’s cannot assist because of how their church government is set up.

Which brings us to our for of church government

Q5. What is Presbyterianism?

Lets read an example of Presbyterianism that is in the New Testament

Acts 15 :1-30 it shows us an example of the Jerusalem Council coming together to deal with the heresy of the Judaizers who wanted Mosaic law to be a condition of Salvation.

Page 78 in our book points out that the Asia Minor church welcomed brothers such as Paul, Barnabas, and some others were appointed to attend the Council

Ken points out

That they were welcomed by the church collective Acts 15:2-4 “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. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 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.”

The council debated the issue Acts 15:7 “And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.”

They came to an agreement Acts 15:19-21 “Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.””

Then they implemented their decision through a circular letter Acts 15:22-30 “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, 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. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 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, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.

So we can clearly see that Presbyterianism in the early church was practiced.

Elders were chosen.

Controversies were handled.

And the conclusion or decision the Elders came to was spread to the church's through letters.

This happens today at our presbytery meetings.

Ken defines Presbyterianism simply as a church ruled by presbyters at local, regional, and denominational levels.

What is the level? Your Session

What is the Second level? The Presbytery.

What is the Third level? The General Assembly.

Q5 part 2 How does the Old Testament inform our understanding of this system?

In the Old Testament we see that God gave Elders to serve as representatives of the people in Covenant dealings.

Lets Read

Exodus 24:9 “Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up,”

2 Sam 5:3 “So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.”

1 Kings 8:1 “Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.”

We see they exercised authority over Israel in

Deut 19:12 “then the elders of his city shall send and take him from there, and hand him over to the avenger of blood, so that he may die.”

Josh 20:4 “He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them.”

Ken then points out that over time there is a distinction made between scribes, priests, and elders in Luke 20

Luke 20:1 “One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up”

Presbytery were present in the Synagogues Luke 7:3-5 “When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.””

They were also present in the earliest congregations of the church Acts 11:30 “And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”

Acts 14:23 “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Which leads us to our next question Q6

Q6. How are word ministers and ruling elders differentiated in the New Testament?

Let’s start with 1 Tim 5:17 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”

So we see their are two types of Elders

Those who Rule

And those who preach and Teach.

Ken points out that the former group can be older men who rule their house well according to 1 Tim 5:1 “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,”

He also directs us to

Romans 12:8 “the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Also

1 Cor 12:28 “And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.”

Ken points out that those who preach and teach are also called ministers in the New Testament in Luke 1:2 “just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,” and Eph 6:21 “So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.”

We see the term Overseer used in

Phil 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:” and 1 Tim 3:1 “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.”

We see the term shepherds of the flock which are Pastors in Eph 4:11 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,” and 1 Pet 5:2 “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;”

As instructors in the Faith the designation of Teacher is given in 1 Cor 12:28-29 “And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?”

And as for their office they are called Prebyters Acts 20:17 “Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.” and 1 Pet 5:1 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:”

Ken points out that the New Testament Word Minister succeed their Old Testament Counter parts the prophets who proclaimed God’s Word to his people. And the priests who administered the sacrament.

Preaching Elders are also disguised by being set apart for the work by the presbytery.

1 Tim 4:14 “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.”

The Presbytery recognized his gift

And then they said we are ordaining you to use it.

So everyone will know that others in the church leadership see these gifts that God has given you as well.

So Sraven and Charles are your Ruling Elders

But Pastor Wagonmaker has been set apart as your Pastor to teach you the Word of God.

They have different functions on the local level of the church but when they come together to discuss the business of the church they are equals.

Next we are going to look at the office of Deacon.

Q7. What are the origins and responsibilities of Deacons?

This is a third office of the Church.

“diaconos” means minister or servant of the church.

Their duty is to see to the temporal needs of the church.

We see this because the first deacons assisted the apostles by serving tables.

They served these tables in the church to free up the apostles the Word ministers so they could focus on preaching teaching and prayer.

We see this taught in Acts 6:1-7

English Standard Version Chapter 6

6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

We are also given the qualifications for a man who would serve as your Deacon in 1 Tim 3:8-13

can someone read 1 Tim 3:8-13 “

English Standard Version Chapter 3

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

So hopefully you have a better understanding now of what Presbyterianism is

And how the offices Teaching and Ruling Elder work to teach and keep order in the church.

and how the Office of Deacon is used to build up and support the growth of Christs church in Service to her.

Next we will be looking at Worship according to the Scriptures

CHAPTER 10 Worship According to Scripture

Q1. What is holy tradition and how does it affect worship?

Ken starts this chapter on page 81 stating “to often the answer depends on the feelings or tastes of the participants.

Such answers focus on the worshiper rather than God who is the Object of Worship.

The right answer, however, depends on what God defines as worship.

Ken points out that Holy Tradition is

A decree of a church council.

Or the antiquity of a particular liturgy

Becasue its old and the church use to do it then we should do it.

This can be a good thing if its Scriptural.

But if its not we can see it can be disastrous for the church.

Ken points out that the Seventh Ecumenical Council A.D. 787 legalized the veneration of icons (images of Christ, Mary, and the saints.

So what does Venerate mean

An American Dictionary of the English Language VENERATION

VENERA´TION, n. [Fr. from L. veneratio.]

The highest degree of respect and reverence; respect mingled with some degree of awe; a feeling or sentiment excited by the dignity and superiority of a person, or by the sacredness of his character, and with regard to place, by its consecration to sacred services.

So people were showing honor and respect to images of Christ, Mary, and the saints.

So what is the problem with that?

The Second Commandment comes to mind

Exodus 20:4-6 ““You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

Ken points out we must guard our church's from such worship as “HOLY TRADITION”

We shouldn't say its always been the way we have done it.

Rather we should say Scripture directs us to worship God in this manner and this is why we worship God like this.

If we don’t we will fall into idolatry.

Ken goes on to point out that most Protestant church’s would never say that they practice HOLY TRADITION.

they would rather say “WHATEVER IS NOT FORBIDDEN IS PERMISSIBLE.”

And What is this called?

The normative principle

Q2. What is the normative principle of worship?

“WHATEVER IS NOT FORBIDDEN IS PERMISSIBLE.”

The Normative principle may seem reasonable.

But is it Truly Biblical.

Can men approach God in anyway they see fit.

Let’s ask Nadab and Abihu, from Biblical History.

Turn to Lev 10:1-3

Lev 10:1-3 “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’ ” And Aaron held his peace.”

This is one of the warnings we have in Gods Word that we cannot approach God anyway we see fit.

Let us rather look to the Regulative principle of Worship.

Q3. What is the regulative principle of worship?

We must do whatever God commands us to in worship by command or direct implication.

This is what is known as the regulative principle of worship.

Ken points out Rom 11:34 ““For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?””

He points out this passage because how can a creature us know the mind of God our creator apart from his revelation THE WORD of God.

We can’t worship God of our own reason.

Ken points out Ecc 9:3 “This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.”

We can’t trust our hearts otherwise we will fall into idolatry.

We have a biblical example that Ken points us to on page 83

Deut 4:15-18 ““Therefore watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth.”

Ken points out that Jesus instructed the Samaritan Woman that we are to worship God according to his Word and Spirit. We find this in

John 4:21-24 people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Jesus points out that the Samaritans were not worshiping God according to his word which is truth. John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

And that Israel did worship God correctly but not ULTIMATELY.

Becasue their temple Worship was to point to Christ

‘And his fulfilment in his person and Work on the Cross.

Q4. What are the elements of Biblical Worship?

At the bottom of page 85 Ken points out what biblical worship looks like.

The Public reading of Scripture 1 Tim 4:13 “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.”

Preaching 1 Tim 4:13 “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.”

2 Tim 4:2 “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

The Sacraments of Baptism Acts 2:41 “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”

The Lord’s Supper Acts 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Public Prayer 1 Tim 2:1-3 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,”

Congregational Singing Eph 5:19 “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,” Col 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Offerings 1 Cor 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”

And Occasional Vows 1 Tim 6:12 “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Rom 10:9-13 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

Q5. What are some Forms of these elements?

Ken then distinguishes what FORMS ARE

Choice of translation KJV ESV NASB

The Lords Supper Unleavened Bread or Leavened Bread and wine or grape juice.

Congregational Singing Psalms Hymns or praise choruses.

Ken points out that the FORMS we choose say a lot about the doctrines we believe.

Q6. What are some circumstances in worship?

he quote WCF 1.6

Circumstances include

The time in which we meet

The place we worship at

Amplifying devices

Accompaniment of Musical instruments

Ken points out that this requires the exercise of Biblical Wisdom.

Next in Question 7

Q7. What is the dialogical principle of worship? Give some examples from the Old and New Testament.

It showcases the Biblical conversations between God speaking and his people responding.

How do all these elements fit together.

Ken points out that we see this in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

And we see this on page 87 in the book. Lets turn to page 87 and read