Did Christ intend these to be temporary? He made no provision for their continued work or recognition in the Church. After the apostolic age they ceased, and so have their qualifications, inspiration and miracles. II. How many ordinary and perpetual officers are there? "The ordinary and perpetual officers in the Church are Bishops or Pastors; the representatives of the people, usually styled Ruling Elders; and Deacons." Were these designed to be perpetual ? Yes. Preaching, spiritual oversight and the care of the poor are their several functions, and correspond to permanent needs in the Church. Provision was made for the continuance of these officers by election and ordination. Qualifications were given, and directions for the performance of duties.* What officers were in the synagogue ? The Ruler of the synagogue, and a bench of Elders who assisted him in the oversight of the people.† Were these transferred to the Christian Church? This system had long been recognized in the Church as of divine authority, and both Jews and Gentiles were familiar with it. The synagogues were the proper and most convenient places for the preaching of the gospel. Often the Elders of the synagogue and the mass of the people became Christian, and the synagogue became the church. The long-established government and the recognized officers were continued and sanctioned by the Apostles. Where there was no synagogue, or when it did not become christianized, the Apostles formed the * See below, under Chs. IV., V., VI. † Primitive Church Officers, pp. 11, 12; Miller on Presbyterianism, pp. 10, 11. church after the same model, with Pastor, Elders and Deacons.* CHAPTER IV. OF BISHOPS OR PASTORS. What is the first office in the Church? "The pastoral office is the first in the Church, both for dignity and usefulness," as shown by the names, authority, qualifications, duties and rewards connected with it in Scriptures.† By what names is this officer called ? "The person who fills this office hath, in Scripture, obtained different names expressive of his various duties." He is termed― (1) "Bishop," "as he has oversight of the flock of Christ" (Acts 20: 28). (2) "Pastor," "as he feeds them with spiritual food" (1 Pet. 5:2; Jer. 3 : 15). (3) "Minister," "as he serves Christ in his Church" (1 Cor. 4: 1). (4) "Presbyter or Elder," "as it is his duty to be grave and prudent, and an example of the flock, and to govern well in the house and kingdom of Christ" (1 Pet. 5:1; Tit. 1:5; 1 Tim. 5 : 1, 17, 19). (5) "Angel of the Church," "as he is the messenger of God" (Rev. 1: 20; 2: 1). (6) "Ambassador," "as he is sent to declare the will of God to sinners, and to beseech them to be reconciled to God through Christ" (2 Cor. 5 : 20). * See Acts of the Apostles. † Epistles to Timothy. (7) "Steward of the mysteries of God," "as he dispenses the manifold grace of God and the ordinances instituted by Christ" (Luke 12: 42; 1 Cor. 4: 1, 2). Is he properly a Bishop? He is so called in Scripture. The qualifications are ascribed to him. The work of oversight and ordination are committed to him. No permanent superior officer is described.* Are ministers officially equal? The parity of the ministry is taught in Scripture. There is no higher office. All have the same qualifications, titles and work. What churches hold a threefold ministry? The Episcopal churches-Bishop, Priest, and Deacon, each having separate functions. The Bishop, having oversight and authority over the other Ministers and over the churches within a certain district, and the powers of confirmation and ordination; the Priest, being pastor of a local church, subject to his Bishop, and having direction over the Deacon; the Deacon, being the assistant of the Priest in parish work, and in preaching if he be licensed to do so. The Romish Church adds to these the Pope, as having supreme and infallible authority over the whole Church as the vicar of Christ and successor of Peter. Is a Minister ever called a "Priest" in the Scriptures? There were Priests under the ceremonial dispensation, as the types of Christ and his work. But since the only High Priest and Mediator Jesus Christ fulfilled these types, the name "Priest" is nowhere given to a Minister * What is Presbyterianism? pp. 36-62; Primitive Church Offices, pp. 29-67; Miller on Presbyterianism, pp. 13–21. in the Christian Church, nor are the functions of sacrificial service ascribed to him.* What are the peculiar duties of the Minister? (1) Preaching the word; (2) administering the sacraments; (3) blessing the people; and (4) ordination. What duties does he share with Ruling Elders? Government in the particular church and in the various judicatories.† What duties does he share with Deacons ? The care of the poor, distribution of the charities of the church, and the oversight of the temporalities of the congregation. In all his duties, what is his relation to Christ and to the Church? He is the Minister of Christ, accountable to him, subject only to him and to his brethren in the Lord. He is not a lord of God's heritage, but placed over the church for its edification (1 Cor. 3:5; 4: 1-5; Acts 156-31; 1 Pet. 5:3). Does his office depend upon his connection with a particular church? A Minister may be ordained sine titulo, to do general missionary work. But generally he is ordained when, as a Probationer, he shall have preached so much to the satisfaction of a congregation that he shall be regularly called by them, and set over them by the Presbytery. § When, for any cause, the pastoral relation is dissolved by the order of Presbytery, his authority and duties in that congregation cease, but his office as a Minister continues. He may still preach, administer the sacraments, bless the people, perform the marriage service, take part * See + Form of Government, ch. v. Ibid., ch. xv. in ordinations and sit in the church courts.* In the Presbyterian churches of Scotland only Pastors and Teachers of theology are permitted to vote in the church courts. What is a Pastor? He is a Minister regularly installed over one or more churches by the Presbytery.† What is a Stated Supply? A Licentiate or Minister who has a temporary charge of a church, sometimes engaged by the church for a few months, and sometimes year by year. This should never be done without the permission of Presbytery, which has the oversight of the churches and Ministers. It is sometimes permitted in feeble churches in hopes of uniting the churches, or that the Stated Supply may be called as Pastor, or in case of the prolonged sickness or absence of the Pastor. The Stated Supply has no authority in the church, nor has he a seat or vote in Session. When the relation of a Stated Supply to a church is continued beyond the emergency, it is an irregularity, an evil, and is inconsistent with our polity.§ The O. S. and N. S. Assemblies agree in the above. Since the reunion the General Assembly declared "that Stated Supplies should not preach in the pulpits of any Presbytery without its consent, and when the consent is refused the Presbytery to which such Minister serving as Stated Supply belongs, being notified, should recall him within its own bounds;" that the Stated Supply has not the right, power or prerogative in the church Session as a Pastor; "that he has such rights and prerogatives as may * Presbyterian Digest, p. 163. See pp. 130, 400. Form of Government, ch. xv. & Presbyterian Digest, pp. 112, 113. || Minutes General Assembly 1874, pp. 83, 85. |