ARTICLES OF FAITH
and
RULES OF DECORUM
of the
PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH
by
ELDER WALTER CASH
A Church is a congregation of
regenerated men and women, publicly professing faith in Christ Jesus, and being
regularly baptized by immersion, who have covenanted to meet together, having
given themselves up to one another in the Lord, to be governed by his Word, and
to be guided by a regular and proper discipline, agreeably to the Holy
Scriptures.
"Articles of Faith are not held to
be essential to the existence of a church, but are of much importance to its
order and stability."
LITTLE ZION PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH
16424 Woodruff
Bellflower, California
90706
Phone: (562) 866-0366
TO THE READER
With the purpose in view of supplying
all who desire to have at hand a statement of the Articles of Faith and Rules
of Decorum of the Primitive Predestinarian Baptist churches, I have compiled
this pamphlet. I have before me copies of the Articles of Faith of a great many
Primitive Baptist churches, and have tried to include in this the essential
points found in them. While some difference is to be found in the expressions
of separate churches, yet there is agreement upon the points included in this
statement.
A wider field is taken with regard to
the Rules of Decorum in the separate churches, and no attempt has been made to
more than cover the points of general interest.
These pamphlets may be made of
practical use by the churches passing on them as a body, and noting such
changes, if any, as would be necessary to suit the church, and then furnish all
the members with them, thus putting into the hands of each member its Articles
of Faith and Rules of Decorum.
Affectionately yours,
WALTER CASH.
CHURCH COVENANT
Forasmuch as Almighty God by his grace
has been pleased to call us out of darkness into his light, and having been baptized
upon a profession of our faith in Christ Jesus, and having given ourselves to
the Lord and one another, in a gospel church way, to be governed and guided by
a proper discipline agreeable to the word of God; we do covenant together by
the help of God to keep up the discipline of the church of which we are members
in brotherly affection toward each other, to watch over one another, and, if
need be, in the most tender and affectionate manner to reprove one another,
and not to be whispering and backbiting. We also agree with God's assistance
to attend our church meetings, and not absent ourselves from the communion of
the Lord's Supper without a lawful excuse; to be ready to communicate to the
defraying of the church's expenses, and for the help of the ministry; not to
irregularly depart from the fellowship of the church, nor to remove to the
bounds of distant churches without a regular Letter of Dismission and placing
it in the church where we reside.
These things we do covenant and agree
to observe and keep sacred in the name of and by the assistance of God.
Amen.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
THE SCRIPTURES.
1. We believe that the scriptures comprising the Old
and New Testaments, as given in what is known as the King James Translation,
are of divine authority, and are to be taken as the only rule of faith and
practice.
Deuteronomy 4:2. Ye shall
not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught
from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command
you.
Hebrews 1:1-2. God who at sundry times and in
divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these
last days spoken unto us by his Son.
Romans 15:4. For whatsoever things were written
aforetime were written for our learning.
II Timothy 3:15-16. And that from a child thou hast
known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration
of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works.
Luke 1:3-4. It seemed good to me also, having had
perfect understanding of all things from the very first to write unto thee in
order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of
those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Revelation 22:18-19. For I testify unto every man that
hearest the words of the prophecy of this book. If any man shall add unto these
things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And
if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God
shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and
from the things which are written in this book.
2. We believe in one God, and that the
Father, Son or Word, and the Holy Ghost are one God, eternal, immutable,
infinite in wisdom, power, justice, holiness, mercy and truth.
Deuteronomy 6:4. Hear, 0 Israel; The Lord our God is
one Lord.
Jeremiah 10:10. But the Lord is the true God, he is
the living God, and an everlasting King.
I Corinthians 8:6. But to us there is but one God, the
Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by
whom are all things, and we by him.
I Timothy 2:5. For there is one God, and one Mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
I Timothy 1:17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever, Amen.
I John 5:7. For there are three that bear record in
heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God.
John 10:30. I and my Father are one.
Matthew 28:19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.
3. We believe that in the transgression of Adam he
fell under the condemnation of God's holy law, and that all his posterity were
corrupted in him, and so are condemned in sin, and have neither will nor power
to deliver themselves from this state and condemnation.
Genesis 2:17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof,
thou shalt surely die.
Romans 5:12. Wherefore as by one man sin entered into
the world and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have
sinned.
Romans
5:19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the
obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Romans 3:9. . . .for we have before proved both Jews
and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.
Romans 3:23. For all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God.
Ephesians 2:1. And you hath he quickened, who were
dead in trespasses and sins.
Romans 8:7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
4. We believe that God chose a definite number of
particular persons of the fallen posterity of Adam in Christ before the
foundation of the world to salvation. The reason for this choice is wholly of
grace, and is unconditional on the part of the creature.
Ephesians 1:4. According as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame
before him in love;
I Thessalonians 1:4. Knowing, brethren beloved, your
election of God.
Romans 9:11. (For the children being not yet born,
neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to
election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.)
II Thessalonians 2:13. . . .because God hath from the
beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and
belief of the truth.
I Peter 1:2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of
God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
II Timothy 2:19. Nevertheless the foundation of God
standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his.
Ephesians 2:4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his
great love wherewith he loved us,
5.
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by
Grace ye are saved;)
8.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God;
9.
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Revelation 13:8. And all that dwell upon the earth
shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb
slain from the foundation of the world.
5. We believe that God has predestinated the elect
unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of
his will.
Ephesians 1:5. Having predestinated us unto the
adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good
pleasure of his will.
Romans 8:29.
For whom he did foreknow he did also predestinate to be conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren.
Ephesians 3:11. According to the eternal purpose which
he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
6. We believe that the Lord Jesus
who was set up from everlasting to be the Mediator between God and men, did in
the fullness of time really and truly take upon himself a human body and
nature, sin excepted, and in that body he suffered, bled and died as the surety
of the elect, and in their room and stead, and for no others.
Hebrews 7:15-16. And it is yet far more evident: for
that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest Who is
made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an
endless life.
Hebrews 8:3. For every high priest is ordained to
offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have
somewhat also to offer.
Galatians 4:4-5. But when the fullness of time was
come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem
them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Hebrews 10:5. Wherefore when he cometh into the world,
he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou
prepared me.
10.
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus
Christ once for all.
John 17:9. I pray for them: I pray not for the world,
but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
7. We believe that Christ hath obtained eternal redemption
for the elect, his life, suffering, blood and death constituting a complete and
full atonement for their sins, and that this is the only ground of
justification before God.
Isaiah 53:6. But he was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our
peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Hebrews 9:26. . . .but now once in the end of the
world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
28.
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.
Hebrews 9:12. Neither by the blood of goats and
calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place,
having obtained eternal redemption for
us.
Hebrews 10:14. For by one offering he hath perfected
for ever them that are sanctified.
Ephesians 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
8. We believe that being born again is not the act of
man, nor does it result from what he may believe or do; but it is the work of
God, who gives eternal life, thus quickening the sinner, which causes him to
confess his sin, and to feel the need of a Savior.
John 3:3. Jesus answered and said to him, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom
of God.
John 1:13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the
will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 5:21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and
quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming and now is, when
the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.
John
10:28. And I give unto them eternal life.
II Timothy 1:9. Who hath saved us, and called us with
an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ
Jesus before the world began.
Ephesians 2:1. And you hath he quickened, who were
dead in trespasses and sins.
5.
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by
grace ye are saved.)
PERSEVERANCE
9. We believe that none who are born again will fall
away so as to be lost, but that they will persevere through grace to glory.
John 10:28-29. And I give unto them eternal life; and
they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My
Father which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them
out of my Father's hand.
John 6:39. And this is the Father's will which hath
sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should
raise it up again at the last day.
44.
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I
will raise him up at the last day.
I Peter 1:5. Who are kept by the power of God through
faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
I Peter 1:23. Being born again, not of corruptible
seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth
forever.
Romans 8:30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them
he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he
justified, them he also glorified.
Jeremiah 32:40. And I will make an everlasting
covenant with them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts,
that they shall not depart from me.
10. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, both
of the just (elect) and the unjust, and that the unjust shall go away into
everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.
I Corinthians 15:4. And that he was buried, and that
he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
12.
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you
that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13.
But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen.
14. And if Christ be not risen,
then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
16.
For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised.
51.
Behold I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed.
52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall
be changed.
I Thessalonians 4:14. For if we believe that Jesus
died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with
him.
Daniel 12:2. And many of them that sleep in the dust
of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and
everlasting contempt.
II Thessalonians 1:8. In flaming fire taking vengeance
on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ:
9. Who shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.
Matthew 25:34. Then shall the King say unto them on
his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world.
41.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me ye cursed,
into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
46.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into
life eternal.
11. We believe that the gospel is to be preached in
all the world as a statement of the truth, and as a witness of Jesus for the
comfort and instruction of regenerated men and women; but deny that it is to
offer grace to the unregenerate or that it asserts there is an obligation resting
upon the unregenerate to believe that Jesus is their Savior.
Matthew 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the
end come.
Mark 16:15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Acts 13:48. And when the Gentiles heard this they were
glad, and glorified the word of the Lord; and as many as were ordained to
eternal life believed.
Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth;
to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
II Timothy 3:16-17. All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be
perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
12. We believe that good works,
obedience to the commands of God, are well pleasing in his sight, and should
be maintained in the church; but they are to be considered only as evidence of
a gracious state, and are not a condition of salvation.
Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Luke 17:10. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done
all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we
have done that which was our duty to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10. For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest
any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Titus 3:8. This is a faithful saying, and these things
I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might
be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto
men.
Hebrews 10:24. And let us consider one another to
provoke unto love and to good works.
13. We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are
ordinances appointed by Christ for the church, and they are to be administered
only by those who are clothed with authority of the church, having been
regularly ordained.
Matthew 28:19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.
Luke 22:19-20. And he took bread and gave thanks, and
brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you;
this do in remembrance of me. Likewise
also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood,
which is shed for you.
There
is no record of any administering the ordinances except those who were
appointed for this purpose.
14. We believe that baptism is by
immersion in water and is to be administered to believers only, and who give
evidence of having been regenerated.
Matthew 3:16. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up
straightway out of the water.
John 3:23. And John was baptising in Enon near to
Salim, because there was much water there.
Acts 8:37-39. And Philip said, If thou believest with
all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God. . . .and they went down both into the water, both
Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of
the water...
Romans 6:4. Therefore we are buried with him by
baptism into death.
15. We believe that the Lord's Supper should be
observed in the church until the coming of Jesus at the end of the world, and
that unleavened bread and wine should be used, of which none are to be invited
to partake but members of the church and of other churches of like faith and
order.
Matthew 26:26-27. And as they were eating, Jesus took
bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said,
Take eat; this is my body. And he took
the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.
See
also I Corinthians 11:23-29.
Matthew 26:17. Now the first day of the feast of
unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou
that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
Exodus 13:7. Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven
days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there
be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.
From above it will be seen that the bread was unleavened, for no doubt
it was the same bread that was used.
16. We believe that those who give proof that they are
called of God to the ministry, by edifying the church in that exercise, should
be ordained by a presbytery and set apart to that work.
Mark 3:14. And he ordained twelve, that they should be
with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.
Acts 14:23. And when they had ordained them elders in
every church.
I Timothy 2:7. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and
an apostle.
I Timothy 4:14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee,
which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the
presbytery.
17. We believe that the church should choose members
of its body who have the proper qualifications for the office of deacon who are
to receive and disburse the funds of the church. They should be set apart to
that work by ordination.
Acts 6:3. Therefore, brethren, look ye out among you
seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom whom we may
appoint over this business.
6.
Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their
hands on them.
See
I Timothy 3:8-13 for qualifications of deacons and their wives.
(The following article on Feet Washing
is not accepted by all Primitive Baptist churches, and the adoption or rejection
of it is not made a basis of fellowship.)
18. We believe that washing the
saints' feet is an example of Jesus Christ to be observed by the church.
John 13:4-5. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his
garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the
disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
14-15. If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also
ought to wash one another's feet. For I
have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
1. The church shall hold at least one
meeting for business each month.
2. Every business meeting shall be
presided over by a moderator, who shall be chosen by the church.
3. Business meetings shall be opened by
prayer.
4. It shall be the duty of the moderator
to keep order; to put all motions before the church, and to announce the vote;
to recognize the person who has the right to speak; to decide questions of
order; he may speak on any subject being discussed by calling some one to fill
his place; in case a vote is evenly divided, he shall give the deciding vote.
In the absence of special rules he shall observe such rules as are commonly followed
by the presiding officers of public bodies.
5. Members may appeal from the ruling of
the moderator to the church.
6. The church shall choose a clerk,
whose duty it shall be to keep a minute of the proceedings of the church, which
shall be read and corrected before the meeting adjourns. The minutes shall be
correctly and legibly recorded in a substantial book provided by the church for
that purpose, in which the clerk shall also keep a correct list of the members
of the church.
7. Each person desiring to speak shall
arise and address the moderator, and proceed only when recognized by the moderator.
No one shall speak more than twice on anyone subject without leave of the
church.
8. All questions shall be brought before
the church by motion and second, and shall be decided by a majority of the
members voting, except the receiving of members, granting letters of
dismission, choosing a pastor, or setting apart brethren for ordination to the
ministry or to the office of deacon, which shall be unanimous.
9. Offences between brethren shall be
dealt with as provided in Matthew 18:15, 16, 17. Members who have transgressed
the rule of life for orderly Christians, or transgressed against the church,
should be reproved by the deacons, and may be by any member, and should make
acknowledgment before the church. The church may make investigation of reports
against the members.
10. The business may be taken up in the
following order:
1st-Invite visiting brethren to seats in council.
2d-Announce the opportunity for
persons to unite with the church.
3d-Call for reference from
previous meetings.
4th-Take up matters touching fellowship.
5th-Opportunity given to introduce new business.
11. The deacons of the church shall make
report of the funds coming into their hands at the January meeting of each
year, and at such other times as the church shall require.
12.
The Lord's supper shall be observed two times a year, at the regular meetings
in the months of June and December.
(Some
churches observe the Lord's supper twice and others four times in the year.)
13.
The church shall make inquiry as to the cause of members continuing to absent
themselves from the meetings of the church.
14.
Members may be received in the following ways:
By
experience and baptism.
By letters of dismission from other
churches of the same faith and order.
By relation-that is, by satisfying the
church that the applicant had membership and good standing in a church in
order, but which has ceased to meet,
or for other sufficient reason can not grant letters.
By restoring those who have been
excluded, satisfaction having been rendered.
15. It
is the duty of members to vote on all motions submitted to the church for
action.
16. Members who can not from any cause
attend the church meetings, are expected to write to the church at the regular
times for observing the Lord's supper.
17. These rules may be amended, but
notice of the proposed change must be submitted at a regular meeting at least
one month previous to the time the vote is taken.
The privilege of membership in the
church of Christ is a great one indeed. The church furnishes a safeguard
against the temptations of the world when its privileges and obligations are
understood. Having the associations of the people of God, and hearing the
gospel preached is a great comfort. That this privilege may be continued and
enjoyed, certain obligations are assumed by those who become members of the
church.
The church could be of no benefit to the
members, nor to the world, if the members did not meet together, hence arises
the obligation of attendance at the regular meetings of the church. Paul gives
a rule that should be observed by all the members of the church-"Not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some
is."-Hebrews 10:25. Neglect of this duty is discouraging to the church and
pastor. We should consider that it is a service we owe to God, and when we are
"making" excuse for staying away we should think that before the
excuse is a valid one, the Lord who knows the very thoughts and intents of the
heart, would have to approve of it. This searching test, "Would the Lord
excuse me?" ought to be ever before us.
We may be tempted to stay away because
of what some one else has done or has not done. But are we justified in treating
the service of God with contempt because of what anyone in the world does? We
are not serving men, but serving God, and what we do should be done as unto Him
and not as unto men. This is a matter of so much importance that the church is
justified in requiring its members to attend the meetings, or have justifiable
grounds for staying away; and if members have the right feeling about it, they
will be willing to let the church pass on their reasons for missing the meetings.
It is the duty of members to be
thoughtful of one another. We should think more of the members of the church
than we do of the people of the world, and we should show it in our actions.
If one of the members is sick, other members should at once show their love and
kindness by doing what may be needful to be done for the comfort of the sick.
Jesus showed a sympathetic nature, and helped and comforted the sick. They were
glad to see His face and hear His voice. His followers should walk in His
steps. Let the sick see your face and hear your voice and feel the willingness
of your hands to help them.
The members of the church should be
careful to look after the poor. Though it is especially the duty of the deacons
to relieve the immediate needs of the poor, it is the duty of every member of
the church to be thoughtful in this direction, to keep the deacons supplied
with funds when there is need, and then to give personal attention to the poor,
that they may not feel to be neglected. The Master was Himself very tender toward
the poor, and we can not feel that He would at all approve our course if we
neglect them.
The members of a church should be very
loving and kind toward each other. They are brethren, and they should treat
each other as the members of one family. This will require that they be
forbearing, for there are none perfect. Should we require perfection of others
it would be more than we are able to give in return, which would be very unkind
of us, for we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us. We should
be forgiving, because we shall need to ask others to be forbearing and
forgiving toward us. And especially has the Master laid this upon us, for He
teaches His disciples to pray to be forgiven, even as they forgive others.
"We should make a distinct
difference between bad treatment of ourselves by the members, and conduct
which shows disrespect for the church, and is hurtful to its interests. We can
afford to carry a great deal ourselves, but we must not sit by and see others
tear down the home which has been established for all the children. The Savior
bore personal abuse silently, but when He went into the temple and saw it being
profaned, He drove out those who showed no respect for His Father's house. If
we reverse this and give a great deal of concern to what others may do to us,
and show but little interest as to what the church must suffer, we shall not be
following the Master.
The members of the church should be very
careful to search out all who have a hope in Christ, and invite them to come
into the church, if they receive the preaching of the cross gladly. Especially
should this interest be shown toward their own children, the Lord having laid
it on His people to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord. They should use every endeavor to keep their children from hurtful
associations with such things as will prejudice them against the truth and the
true church. While they can not regenerate their children, nor be the means of
it; yet they should seek to do their whole duty by their children as regards
the teaching of the word of God, and especially so when there is evidence that
they have been enlightened by the Holy Spirit.
The members of the church should show
proper respect for the pastor of the church. While he is not to be considered
infallible, yet if the Holy Ghost has made him "overseer" of the
church, and the church has recognized that appointment by a "call" to
the pastorate, his counsel should be sought, and his instructions followed,
unless positively contrary to the teaching of the word of God, and in such case
the matter should be discussed with him seriously. It is contrary to the word
of God to treat the pastor lightly, and to pass his advice and instructions by
with contempt. No doubt in many cases neither pastor nor church have given the
office the consideration that they ought. The pastor should receive enough
financial assistance that he may devote the necessary time to his pastoral
work.
Every member of the church should
realize that there is expense connected with keeping up a church and its
services, and be honorable with the other members in bearing such burdens. It
is not more honorable in members to let others pay in
the church what they should justly pay, than in a
business way to fail to pay our just debts. All can not bear an equal amount,
but we should not expect others, who are in no better circumstances than
ourselves, to bear more than we do, and we should make it our business to know
that we are bearing our share. It does not show a becoming interest in the
church to be indifferent to this matter. The following questions should be
asked by each member and he should not be satisfied until he is informed on
each of them:
1.
How much ought this church to expend for incidental expenses and toward helping
the pastor?
2.
Is the church meeting its just obligations?
3.
Am I bearing as much of this, according to my circumstances, as other members
of the church are, according to their circumstances?
Not to desire to share equally with
other members, according to our ability and their ability, is to shirk the
responsibility which we solemnly assumed when we asked the church to let us
become members. If we are not willing to bear the obligations of membership, we
should hesitate to take the privileges and comforts of membership. It is so
easy and pleasant when the members consult each other and all are willing to do
what is right. We have no heavy salaries to meet, and our expenses should be
met cheerfully.
A church home is what the members make
it. If they are selfish, contrary, covetous and peevish, and do not bridle
their tongues, it will become unpleasant and a burden, instead of being a joy.
If they are loving, kind, forbearing and like the Master, it will be a pleasant
place, a glad retreat from the world, where the pure, sweet song of peace and love
is sung, and the presence of God is enjoyed.