IPC Messenger
A W eekly P ublication of T he I ndependent P resbyterian C hurch
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Volume 17 • No 37
SEPTEMBER 2017
The Apostles and the Church
D
o the Apostles demonstrate an
awareness of the implications of
Jesus’ seminal words regarding the
church? (Which we examined in the
August Messenger.) Indeed they do. They
establish a structure for the church and a
dynamic in the church. In both cases, what
the Apostles teach reveals the vital role
that the church is to play in the life of each
believer.
Structure
“The Lord Jesus,” says the Westminster
Confession of Faith, “hath appointed
a government” for His church (xxx.1).
The Apostles, having fulfilled their
foundational ministry (Eph 3:7-10), see
to it that elders are appointed for the
ongoing life of the church. “When they
had appointed elders for them in every
church,” Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch
are named, “they committed them to the
Lord” (Acts 14:23). The Apostles were
succeeded by councils of elders who
were responsible for the continuing well-
being of the church. On the one hand, the
churches were “committed… to the Lord”
for His safekeeping and care. On the other
hand, a crucial step was taken to promote
that safekeeping and care: elders were
appointed.
We find the Apostle Paul giving the
same direction to Titus as he labors to
establish order in the post-apostolic
church: “appoint elders in every town as I
directed you” (Titus 1:5). Lengthy lists of
qualifications for church officers are given
in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9. They
must be men of high and tested character
because they must “manage” and “care
for God’s church” (1 Tim 3;5). They
“rule” (1 Tim 5:17). They have God-given
authority. Church members are meant to
honor that authority. Listen to the writer to
the Hebrews:
Obey your leaders and submit to
them, for they are keeping watch
over your souls, as those who
will have to give an account. Let
them do this with joy and not with
groaning, for that would be of no
advantage to you. (Heb 13:17)
“Obey,” he says. “Submit.” To whom?
Leaders. The language of authority is
unmistakable. They “lead” (Heb 13:7).
They “have charge” over members (1
Thess 5:12, NASB). The reason for this
structure, this authority, this government
is clear enough: “They are keeping
watch over your souls” (Heb 13:17).
The spiritual health of each and every
Christian is in view. Individual spiritual
well-being is directly related to one’s
place as a member in the church under the
authority of elders. Godly men are to lead
the church because this is the best (though
not infallible) way to preserve the health
of the church and its members. The church
that Jesus intends stands as a rebuke to
today’s hyper-individualism. Autonomous,
unaccountable, free-floating believers are
not envisioned. Detached, uncommitted
believers indeed are aloof from the very
Continued Page 2
IPC Messenger
CONTENTS
2 Music Ministry
3 Children’s Ministry
4 Women’s Ministry
5 Student Ministries
6 Family Corner
7 Moral Concerns
10
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