The sermon by Eric Bechler discusses the doctrine of the church as outlined in the 1689 London Baptist Confession, focusing on paragraph 8 of chapter 26. It explains the structure of a local church, which is organized according to the mind of Christ, and consists of officers (bishops or elders and deacons) and members. The sermon emphasizes the Congregational form of governance, where no external assemblies have authority over the local church, and highlights the importance of a plurality of elders for leadership. It explores the sources of church authority and the roles church officers play, stating that authority is given by Christ and that officers are chosen and set apart by the church but first called by Christ. The sermon references scriptures from Philippians, Acts, Titus, and Timothy to support the ideas of church structure and leadership. It also examines the different terms used for church leaders, explaining that they highlight various aspects of the role, such as oversight, wisdom, and pastoral care. The sermon concludes by reinforcing that church officers are representatives of the people, but their authority is derived from Christ, not the congregation.

Our reading today comes from the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689, comes from chapter 26 of the church. Today we look at paragraph 8. A particular church gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ consists of officers and members. And the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church, so called and gathered, for the peculiar administration of ordinances and execution of power or duty which he entrusts with them or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, our bishops or elders and deacons. We continue in our examination of the doctrine of the church.

Our focus the last few weeks has been on the rightful members of the local churches, its form of governance, and its form of governance or church polity. We looked at Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Congregational forms of governance, And I mentioned last week that we fall more into the category of a Congregational Church, meaning that there are no other churches or assemblies or synods that rule over us or have authority over us as a local congregation. We believe also within that governance in a plurality of elders leading the local church. Our paragraph last week and this week include this point that the local churches gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ declared in his word. His word tells us how the church is to be organized, who is to be a part of the church, who leads the church, how to worship him, and more.

Our paragraph last week also focused on Christ giving all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline to the local church. What do we mean by local church? Within our church are members and of the members there are officers all part of the body of Christ. Let's look more closely. First, Christ is the head of the church and has endowed the church with power and authority.

But then the question arises, who are the first and proper subjects of church power? Louis Burkoff describes some of the different positions taken in answering this question. The Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, and some Presbyterians answer that the power is endowed to officers as a separate class, in contrast from the ordinary members of the church. The independents suggest that the power is vested in the church at large and that the officers are merely the organs of the body as a whole. There's a third possibility that lies in between these two that ecclesiastical or church power is committed by Christ to the church as a whole, that is to the ordinary members and the officers alike.

But in addition to that, the officers receive such an additional measure of power as is required for the performance of their respective duties in the Church of Christ. They share in the original power bestowed upon the church and receive their authority and power as officers directly from Christ. They are representatives, not mere deputies or delegates of the people. Our confession states this local church consists of officers and members. Then further defines the officers as bishops or elders and deacons.

From scripture we read from Paul's letter to the Philippians we read of bishops and deacons and Philippians 1, 1, Paul and Timotheus the servants of Jesus Christ to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi with the bishops and deacons. In Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders we read of elders and overseers in Acts 20 verse 17 and from Miletus he, Paul, sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church. In verse 28, take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. In Paul's letter to Titus, we read of elders, Titus 1, 5 through 7. For this cause left I the increase that thou should set in order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thee.

If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot or unruly, for a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God, not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, and not given to filthy lucre. Also in Peter's first letter we read of elders, 1st Peter 5, 1 through 3, the elders which are going among you I exhort, who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind, neither as being lords over God's heritage but being in samples to the flock. And finally we also read of specific qualifications of bishops and deacons in 1st Timothy chapter 3. But what about the different names here for the first group, the bishops and elders?

Are bishops the same as overseers? Are they the same as elders or pastors or shepherds? So why does scripture use different words? And it can be even more than three depending on the version you're reading. When it's only talking about one particular office, Barry Cooper from Ligonier explains because each of these words elder, pastor, overseer emphasize a different aspect of this person's job description.

The word elder comes from the synagogue in the local village and implies that this person has particular wisdom and maturity. An elder is also a pastor. The word pastor has the Latin root meaning a shepherd. So there's also the sense of protecting, nurturing, and directing the flock. An elder is also an overseer or bishop.

For a church to thrive there needs to be someone who has oversight, in other words, someone who exercises authority. But where do we get our elders and deacons? Is there a sign-up sheet? Is it whoever the congregation votes in? Certainly the congregation will vote for an elder and a deacon, but is there more to it?

Our confession states that these officers are appointed by Christ and are to be chosen and set apart by the church. They must be called by Christ. They must be fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit. John Gill describes this as the gifts as the gifts as well as the grace of the Holy Spirit attended the ministry of the Word among those that were converted. There were some that were honored with ministerial gifts, qualifying them to preach the gospel and take upon them the care of the churches.

These the apostles directed the churches to look out for from among themselves. The congregation was to notice who was called, who was fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, and choose them to be set apart to be the elders or deacons, to be the leaders and the officers of their church. Our church, as I mentioned before, follows the model of plurality of elders leading the church. From commentary at Ligonier, plural leadership is the norm for every church. We read, appoint elders in every city as I directed you.

Elders is plural and in every town is singular. It indicates multiple elders serving each church on Crete, Titus 1 5. Each reference to a local church elders demonstrates Plurality is the New Testament practice and we can see in Acts 14 23, 15 22, and 20 verse 17 that show the same pattern of plurality. Paul's reason for plurality with even small congregations makes sense. It provides accountability, support, encouragement, increased wisdom, and diversity of gifts to increase ministry effectiveness.

Well the confession continues that these officers were appointed by Christ and chosen and set apart by the church for the peculiar administration of ordinances and the execution of power or duty. So what does this entail? Well, it is from the elders that the sacraments are administered. It is the elders who preach and teach God's word and protect the church from false teachers and false teachings. It is through the elders that discipline is conducted when needed.

There are other duties of elders. They help settle disputes in the church. They pray for the sick and James 514 is any sick among you. Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. They watch over the spiritual life of the flock and must give account to God.

From Hebrews 13, 17, yield to those leading you and be submissive for they watch for your souls as those who must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief, for that is unprofitable to you." I want to reiterate a point previously made about the power and authority Christ gives the church. Again, Berkoff states, while Christ committed power to the church as a whole, he also provided it, he provided for it that this power should be exercised ordinarily and specifically by representatives, set aside for the maintenance of doctrine, worship, and discipline. The officers of the church are the representatives of the people chosen by popular vote. This doesn't mean, however, that they receive their authority from the people. For the call of the people is but the confirmation of the inner call by the Lord Himself.

And it is from Him that they receive their authority, and to Him that they are responsible. When they are called representatives, this is merely an indication of the fact that they were chosen to their offices by the people and does not imply that they derive their authority from them. Hence, they are not deputies or tools that merely serve to carry out the wishes of the people, but rulers whose duty it is to apprehend and apply intelligently the laws of Christ. At the same time, they are in duty, bound to recognize the power vested in the church as a whole by seeking its assent or consent in important matters. Christ, the head of the church, gives power and authority to his church.

The church officers, although chosen and set apart by the congregation, were first called by Christ, appointed by Christ, to lead his church. It is from Christ, not the local church, that they receive their authority for the peculiar administration of ordinances and execution of power and duty. Amen.