Principles and Practices of the Regular Baptists

Chapter XVIII: The Ordination Of An Elder

by Elder E. D. Thomas.

The apostle in his instruction to the church of God at Corinth, chap. 12, teaches them that there is a variety of gifts given by the same Spirit. The object is the edification of the body, or church; therefore he teaches that the judgment of the usefulness of these gifts belongs to the church. One speak at a time; the rest judge. The mind of Christ is thus obtained through the church. How nicely this idea harmonizes with his teaching in the fore part of the epistle, where he says: "Now we have not received the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are given us of God." How careful the church should be in assigning to each gift belonging to her body the place where they would be the most useful, as well as have the greatest liberty in speaking. For instance, he that exhorteth on exhortation, he that teacheth on teaching. Let him that possesses the particular gift study to make himself as edifying to the body as possible, when the proper time to speak comes in his way.

It is evident from the foregoing remarks that some gifts were designed for pastors or overseers, and some for other purposes. How careful we should be in this discrimination, lest a useful gift be spoiled by assigning it an improper place, by requiring more of it than ability had been given by the Spirit to perform. I will now take up the subject of choosing and ordaining elders and overseers, sometimes called presbyters, embracing the variety of stations the office requires them to fill. Too much care and prayerful consideration can not be exercised in examination, both of the scriptures and the candidate, for this office. The word elder, implying an officer, ruler, or overseer, is found in Numbers 11:16. In 17th verse the Lord told Moses: "I would take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone." So the phraseology of the New Testament is borrowed from the Old. Paul to Timothy, 2^nd Epistle, 1:7, says: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." This being required to fill the office of bishop or overseer, the candidate must possess and give evidence of knowledge in the scriptures, and power to apply them as proof of every gospel idea they teach, "apt to teach." And of love, untiring zeal in the cause of Christ, is founded in the love the individual has for the church of Christ. Almost impenetrable obstacles will present themselves in the way of faithfully executing the office, but love, burning in the heart, will triumph at last, declaring I count not my life dear unto myself, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

"Of a sound mind." This qualification must be possessed, or the individual will be fanatical, puffed up with pride at success, easily discouraged, unbalanced in mind, easily thrown off his guard. He must be capable of reasoning from God and his power, as revealed in his Word, to the nature of the promises found in the gospel, so as to encourage the doubting to trust in the Lord, confirm the feeble, warn the unruly, feed the flock with knowledge of their relationship to Christ as a shepherd, prophet, priest and king, thus giving them knowledge of their safety under his care. This being proof of his gift being of the Lord, we next look after his character among men. He must possess all those virtues in character that make him an example of the flock, or else his gospel teaching will be contradicted by his life, he should be able to prove that he believes what he teaches by his works or else he will be despised. This power is manifest in ruling his own house well, having his children in subjection with all gravity, which can not be done without proper example; moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

The foregoing qualifications being found by the church in which his membership is, they should be convinced that these combined qualifications are evidences that it is of the Lord, never calling a council in any case to get rid of the responsibility of deciding the case themselves, for no one can know more about a gift than the church to which the individual belongs. But when unanimously satisfied that the Holy Ghost has signified it, as in Acts 13 - "Separate me this man for the work whereunto I have called him" - then comes the use of a presbytery or council, composed of two or more ordained elders, well approved for faithfulness that will commit this office to faithful men, that shall be able to teach others also. Thus continuing a succession of the right kind of men in the sacred office of the ministry, sound in the faith. If afterwards they turn out heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject or exclude them from office; this will save the church from imposition. "In the multitude of counsel there is safety." As many sound brethren both of the ministry and deacons as can be obtained are advisable, as in the importance of the office will have its influence on all the churches now and in the future. The council having met, and the church still being of the same mind, will hand over the candidate into the judgment of the presbytery, adding to it some of their own number. A Moderator and Clerk will then be chosen, and they, as a body, can invite any present that are qualified to add strength to the council. Inquiry should then be made of the candidate if he is willing to submit his case and its results into their jurisdiction. If he answers affirmatively, the Moderator will proceed to ask for the reason of his hope in Christ; for, taking Paul and Timothy as a criterion, they were saved first, and then called to the ministry; and, as it was according to God's purpose and grace given in Christ before the world began, it is sure he has no other purpose in keeping a ministry for his church. If the proof is clear that he has been saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, the Moderator can proceed to ask for those exercises of mind that have been produced by reading the scriptures or hearing the gospel preached. And whether, with the consolation, he felt a burning desire of heart to tell it to others. "The laborer must be partaker of the fruit." Not learn by memory somebody's sermons, and declaim them, but comfort somebody else with the same that he has been comforted of God. Giving evidence that he is speaking things that he knows, by experience; a living ministry, with the author of it in his soul, the hope of glory; Christ and him crucified, being to him all his salvation felt and realized, he could think of nothing else to comfort and instruct a poor, heavy-laden sinner like he has been. And, as the suffering patient only knows the comforts of a cure, so he will sympathize with, and labor to portray the sufficiency of Christ to save all who feel their need of him. This being the power within, and a door of utterance manifest to tell it, makes the call to the work of an evangelist. Having become satisfied thus far, the council can then hear him discourse on the principles of the doctrine of Christ, giving his views of the plan of salvation as revealed in Christ by the gospel; the scriptures that he would rely upon for proof of the positions taken. Or, if more satisfactory, questions by the Moderator and council may be asked on the doctrine, ordinances, discipline or government of the church; its officers, their use, their obligation to the church and the church's obligation to them, and the scriptural proof for the same. This will show that he is not only called, but his understanding has been opened to understand the scriptures. This fills the bill. "Apt to teach." The council will then retire to make up their verdict. If they are all impressed favorably that it is of the Lord, they can agree to ordain by appointing one of the elders to make the ordaining prayer; another to deliver the charge to the candidate and church. In making the ordaining prayer, a convenient way is for the candidate to kneel in the center, and the elders to kneel around him and impose their hands upon him during the prayer. The Charge being delivered, a song of praise to God should be sung, and the right hand of fellowship given to the brother ordained, by all the council and church, as an acknowledgement of him in his office.

Having presented some proof of the call to the work of the ministry, and evidence of its being of the Lord, as well as some practical hints to guide in the matter, we will add some instruction to the pastor thus ordained, that we hope may improve his usefulness. The admonition, "Take heed unto thyself and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made thee overseer." Take heed to thyself. Let the inquiry be: How shall I fill this office so as to be approved of God and acceptable to his church ? Paul would say, give attention to reading. Read what? The Holy Scriptures. They are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus. I believe it a little unsafe to read commentaries, no matter what the reputation of the author, until a thorough knowledge of the Bible is gained, so as to be able to determine whether the author has given the correct meaning of the passage or not; so you can recognize the harmony with other places that occur to the mind, or the want of harmony, as the case may be, remembering that no prophecy is of private interpretation. It is your duty to preach the Word, not men's opinions. "If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God," says James. A prayerful study of the scriptures, to understand their spiritual meaning for yourself, will give a light upon the text that will not soon leave you, while the words of men will soon be forgotten, and perhaps leave you when you most depend upon them. Your office, and gift to use it, will bring you before all classes of men, the learned and polite, as well as the ignorant; but when before you, remember you are to preach the gospel to every creature. Be not ashamed of the gospel nor try to hunt something else to say because some learned or noble person is present, but keep in mind that God has concluded all under sin, by reason of the necessity of righteousness and the certainty of judgment to come. Take Paul's example before Agrippa. In a temporal point of view, Paul was the prisoner, Agrippa was the king; in a spiritual point of view, Paul was the called and commissioned servant of God, Agrippa was the condemned and guilty sinner before the court of heaven. This view made Paul bold and Agrippa tremble. So consider yourself and your audience in the sight of   God, your judge and theirs also; fear God, and the fear of man will leave you.

The whole scriptures are the whole truth of revealed religion, therefore if you do not shun to declare the whole counsel of God, you must study the variety of conditions that men and women are in, when God's Word describes them, every step of the pathway of life, from sin's dark maze to the saints trying hour when soul and body is parting. Upon a close study of the Word of God, you will find him or her described. The careful and skillful workman must not give that that is holy to the dogs, it is children's meat; nor preach the law of sin and death to them that are not under the law but under grace, or in a gracious state; daubing with untempered mortar, or crying peace where God hath not spoken, is forbidden. What the law saith, is to them that are under the law; what the gospel in its promises saith, is to them that have been made free by the Son of God, and are under his law to them, which is called the spirit of life in Christ. Describe your own feelings as experienced when in these various conditions, and the effect faithful preaching had with you will govern in this discrimination of character better than any rule laid down. I have heard men say that their gift was to preach doctrine. That was a mistake of theirs. If they would study the experimental part of the Bible, or the practical obligation of God's people to live as becometh the gospel of Christ, as closely as they have the doctrine or system of grace, they would have as much liberty and more feeling in their preaching; for it is impossible to refer to our own experience without feeling, and to our obedience without remembering the emotions it produced. This is deeply interesting and encouraging to those seeking the way of the Lord. Next in studying the scriptures, is to learn what is meant by the idea of church, brotherhood, house of God, Mount Zion, all expressive of the different relations the Lord's redeemed sustain to the Great Head of the Church and one another. Here opens a wide field of gospel matter to discourse upon at various times. Use your own mind in studying appropriateness to the time, and circumstances that surround you and your congregation, so as to be instant in season and out of season, be able to reprove, rebuke, exhort, entreat; for these, the scriptures are profitable, when needed, and are given by inspiration for occasions that will come in the history of the church. So the pastor need not go outside of the gospel to be supplied for the occasion. Study and cultivate an intimate acquaintance with your congregation, watch with vigilance the approach of the enemies of truth; one blow from the Sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God) well aimed at the right time, will do more than a pitched battle after the enemy is entrenched within your lines. A church well doctrinized and disciplined, will not be easily confused, but will be "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." I would suggest as a rule, that on the church meeting day, the pastor or visiting minister always preach a sermon on the duties of Christians to their Master, to the church and to one another. By consulting the Savior's teaching to his disciples, in the epistles to the churches, he will find abundant matter to discourse on a whole year, without repeating the same theme, and doing, will increase the faithfulness of his mind, and start an exercise of mind in the church that will lead the brethren to search the scriptures to see whether these things are so. A growth in grace and in the know-ledge of the truth will be the result, both with the pastor and flock. I have noticed that ministers that travel all the time have a few stereotyped sermons that give them the credit of able ministers, that would starve the flock if confined to one place long at a time; while a man of variety may not receive as much applause for a discourse, but will interest at home or abroad, and the more you hear the more you are willing to hear, because he is well instructed and brings out of his rich treasure things new and old. If we could retain all we read we might get through and quit reading, but the treasures are inexhaustible and the riches of wisdom unsearchable. Be not afraid of searching, the more you know the more you will find there is to know, and all profitable in its place. Do not attempt a subject that you can not see clearly its application, or you will be ashamed when done. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low degree; always remembering your behavior will affect your preaching for good or for evil. In conclusion prepare yourself as though you had nothing else to depend on, and then look to the Lord as imploring for aid, as though you had no other aid, for "Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but it is God that giveth the increase." May God give us understanding in all things.

[first] ... [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] ... [last]