Text-" And now, I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." Acts, v. 38, 39. By the "counsel and work," spoken of in this passage, is meant the preaching and propagation of Christianity; or, in other words, the conversion of sinners, the formation of churches, and the supply of the destitute with the gospel ministry. The furtherance of this COUNSEL AND WORK, then, is the great ostensible object contemplated by the present meeting; that is, by adopting such a plan of co-operation, that will most happily subserve the cause of God in promoting, 1st. The conversion of sinners; 2dly. The establishment of churches, upon the New Testament plan; and, 3dly. The supplying of the destitute with the preaching of the gospel. I. The conversion of sinners is the paramount object contemplated by the preaching of the gospel. By sinners, are meant persons in a carnal or natural state, and who have transgressed the law of God. By the conversion of sinners, is to be understood, such a moral change of the heart and life, as the Scriptures uniformly require and declare indispensably necessary to pre pare them for heaven. This great and benevolent end is usually effected by the preaching of the gospel. Hence Christ has ordained the ministry; and those who are entrusted with this sacred office, ought to consider it their greatest duty to labor for the conversion of sinners. This is the first part of the "counsel of God." This, therefore, we have in view: of it, may we never lose sight, and in it, may we never tire. II. To establish and build up churches on the New Testament plan is another primary part of this "counsel and work;" and a further object that we have in view. A church signifies a religious society, or a given number of Christians united together by mutual consent, for the worship of God according to the Scriptures. Agreeably to the New Testament, churches should be formed, 1. Of Christians or believers only ;* 2. Without a sectarian or human name;† 3. With no creed and discipline but the Bible;+ 4. Subject to no extrinsic or foreign jurisdiction; and, 5. Governed by their own officers, chosen by a majority of the members of each individual church. Acts ii. 41; Ch. v. 13. † Is. Ix11. 2. Ps. xix. 7; Matt. xxviii. 20; Acts ii. 42; 2 John 9. § Heb. xiii. 17; Gal. v. 1. Acts vi. 3; xx. 28. To accomplish all this will require another great reformation. But, under God, it can be achieved. III. To supply destitute places with regular preaching, is another great and necessary part of the counsel and work" of God, and for the accomplishment of this, we purpose to unite on the best and most efficient plan of co-operation. After sermon, the business meeting was called to order, and after some further Consultation, it was agreed, as the unanimous sense of the meeting. 1st. That there is but one true church, namely: the Church of God. 2dly. That it is the bounden duty of all God's people to belong to her, and none else. 3dly. That it is "lawful and right" to associate together for the purpose of cooperation in the cause of God. 4thly. That we agree to hold an eldership annually for this purpose, consisting of teaching and ruling elders of the Church of God. The Teaching elders present, then subscribed their names, viz: Andrew Miller, John Winebrenner, John Elliott, John Walborn, David Maxwell and James Richards. Thus originated the Church of God, properly and distinctively so called, in the United States of America; and thus, also, originated the first eldership. II. THE FORM AND ATTRIBUTES OF THE CHURCH OF GOD. The English word church is derived from the Greek kuriakon, belonging to the Lord. The Greek word Ekkλngia, commonly translated church, in the New Testament, comes from ek, out of, and kalio, I call. Hence its first and primary meaning is : 1.-A congregation or assembly of persons, whether good or bad, called out and separated from the rest of the community for some special purpose. (Joel ii. 15; Acts xix. 39, 41.) 2. It is used to denote the congregations of Israel, or the Jewish nation. (Liv. xvi. 33; Acts vii. 38.) 3. In its New Testament sense it is used to signify, 1. A community of saints, united together for the worship of God, according to Scriptures. (Matt. xviii. 17; Rom. xvi. 1; Acts. xiv. 23; 1 Cor. i. 2; Rev. i. 4.) 2. The whole number, or collective body of christians, throughout the world. (Acts ii. 47, Ch. xx. 28; 1 Cor. x. 32, Ch. xv. 9; Gal. i. 13; Eph. iii, 10, Ch. v. 23, 24; Heb. xii. 23.) 3. Believers in one family. (Rom xvi. 5; Col. iv. 15; Phil. 2.) Accordingly, the saints, or body of believers, in any given place, constitute the Church of God in that place; whilst those different, local and individual churches, collectively taken, constitute the one, holy, general church of God, spread abroad throughout the world. This, then, being the primary and appropriate use and meaning of the term ExAna, in the New Testament, it will be easy to perceive what the true nature and form of the Church of God is. If she is constituted, or made up of saints, Christians, or true believers, (as the use of the word indicates), then such only are scripturally entitled to membership. And if she is a society of saints or Christians, then a congenial government is necessarily implied; for no society can well exist without order, and order supposes rule, discipline, and control; and these, imply a ruling and controlling power. Organization, therefore, is fairly predicated of every gospel church. And we believe no church to be scripturally organized without a competent number of bishops and deacons. These two classes are the only regular, permanent church officers recognized in the New Testament. There were, besides these, other officers in the primitive church; but these were temporary, special, and extraordinary officers, than otherwise. Bishops and elders (for these we hold to be convertible appellations, and designations of the same office, Acts xx. 17, 28; Tit. i. 5-5,) are the teaching and ruling officers of the church in both her spiritual and secular departments; whilst the deacons are the servants of the church and assistants to the elders in secular affairs, Acts vi. 1-5. Hence, we may readily and clearly perceive, that the form of government which God has ordained in his church, is not, and cannot be Papal, nor Patriarchal, nor Magisterial, nor Episcopal, nor Congregational; but, in its popular sense, PRESBYTERIAN; that is, a government vested in the hands of, and administered by, the elders or presbyters of each individual or particular church. Acts xx. 17. The Church of God, like the House of Israel, is made up of individual households or societies, and these in an organized state, are placed under the rule and government of Elders and Deacons. The proper way to appoint the officers of a church is, to elect the ruling elders and deacons by a vote of the church, in which all the members, males and females, may, and of right ought to participate. (See Acts vi. 2, 3; Gal. iii. 28.) The term of office each church has a right to determine. But both reason and Scripture, we think, dictate the propriety of making these temporary, and not perpetual, or life-officers. If they are elected for a limited term, the church may displace them when she has it in her power to elect men of superior gifts and qualifi cations; and in the absence of that opportunity she loses nothing, because the same officers are always re-eligible. Teaching elders, or preachers of the gospel, ought always to be chosen or called of God; that is, moved, inclined, or disposed by the Holy Spirit, to take upon them the performance of the sacred functions of the gospel ministry. A divine call should always be antecedent to an ecclesiastical one. The official functions and jurisdiction What is here affirmed concerning church elders, goes upon the assumption that teaching and ruling elders are of Divine appointment. The truth and certainty of this fact, may be argued from. The following considerations, Teachers and Rulers. 1 Cor. xii. 28. 2. Because to wit: 1. Because God has set in the church there is a distinction made between teaching and ruling elders. 1 Tim. v. 17. 3. Because there were a plurality of elders in the primitive churches. Acts xiv. 23. Ch. xx. 17. Tit. ii. 5. 4. Because these elders, in most cases, were churches themselves. Acts xiv. 23. Ch. i. appointed or chosen, by other elders or the 23-26. of ruling elders and deacons are confined This, then, being the essential and organic form of the Church of God, to her rightfully appertain the following attributes, viz.: 1. Visibility. 2. Unity. 3. Sanctity. 4. Universality; and, 5. Perpetuity. 1st. Visibility is a prime attribute of the Church of God. God intended his church to be "the light of the world,"* and this light to be "as clear as the sun and as fair as the moon." Hence he compares her in another place to "a city that is set on a hill, and that cannot be hid," An invisible church, therefore, that some divines speak of, is altogether an anomaly in Christian Theology. meet and unite in order to be "one, per- John x. 16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Ch. xiii. 34. A new commandment I give to you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Ch. xvii. 21. That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be sent ine. one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast 22. And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. 23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Eph. ii. 14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, for to make in himself of twain, one new man, so making peace. 3dly. Sanctity is also an essential attribute of the true church. Hence none but saints, or holy ones, have a just and scriptural claim to membership in the Church of God. The house of Israel was a type of the Church of God: and just as that house or nation, was made up of the natural seed of Abraham, so likewise is the true church of his spiritual seed. Now, as believers only, can become the spiritual seed of Abraham; hence, none but sound converts and true believers ought to be recognized and tolerated as approved members in the church. The religious association of unconverted persons, or their incorporation with the "saints of the Most High," is directly subversive of the 2dly. Unity is another essential attri- designs of God with regard to his church. bute of the Church of God. Matt. v. 14. Ye are the light of the world. † Songs vi. 10. Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? Matt. v. 14. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. The union of sects into one general Evangelical Alliance, or into one human organization, diverse in character, faith, and practice from the one true Church of God, as characterized in the Bible, we have no belief in, nor sympathy for. But the oneness, or unity of all true believers in one holy Church of God, on the Bible plan, and under the reign and government of Jesus Christ, is a consummation we most devoutly wish for: and this union being founded on the immutable counsels of God, we believe implicity, that here, under Messiah's reign, in the Church of God, and nowhere else, is the proper rallying ground, and the true platform of Christian union, where all can, will, and ought to John xvii. 14. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. to Acts v. 13. And of the rest durst no man join himself 1 Cor. iii, 11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. them; but the people magnified them. 17. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Eph. v. 26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 1 Pet. i. 15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. Matt. xiii. 33. Another parable spake he to them; man took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the the kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a wowhole was leavened. 4thly. Universality is likewise a prominent attribute in the Church of the First Born. A few passages will set this in a clear light. These few may suffice:Matt. xiii. 33. Another parable spake he to them; The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2. She believes in one Supreme God, Ps. Ixxii. 8. He shall have dominion also from sea to consisting of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that these three are co-equal and coeternal. sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. Isa. ii. 2. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. Dan. ii. 34. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces. 35. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. 5thly. Perpetuity is another principal attribute of the true church. The Church of God is built upon an immovable rock, and "the gates of hell," we are told, "shall never prevail against her." This "kingdom," therefore, "is an everlasting kingdom." Matt. xvi. 18. And I say also to thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Dan. ii. 44. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Chap. iv. 3. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. III. THE FAITH AND PRACTICE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD. The Church of God has no authoritative constitution, ritual, creed, catechism, book of discipline, or church standard, Matt. xxviii. 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. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 1 John v. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 3. She believes in the fall and depravity of man; that is to say, that man by nature is destitute of the favor and image of God. Rom. v. 10. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Chap. iii. 10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Chap. viii. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 11. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God, 12. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips. 1 Cor. xv. 49. And as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Col. i. 21. And you, that were sometime alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. 22. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and unblamable, and unreprovable in his sight. 4. She believes in the redemption of sacrifice of Jesus Christ. man through the atonement, or vicarious Rom. v. 6. For when we were yet without strength, due time Christ died for the ungodly. 11. And not only so, but we also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Chap. iii, 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to declare his righte but the Bible. The Bible she believes to 1. She believes the Bible, or the canonical books of the Old and New Testament to be the word of God, a revelation from God to man, and the only authoritative rule of faith and practice. Luke xvi. 29. Abraham saith to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 2 Tim, iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Pet. i. 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereto ye do well that ye take heed, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. ousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. 2 Cor. v. 19. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and hath committed to us the word of reconcilia tion. 20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21. For be hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Gal, iii. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Chap. iv. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. 5. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Heb. ix. 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. 13. For if the blood of bulls, and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God. purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called, might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 1 Peter iii. 18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 1 John ii. 2. And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 5. She believes in the gift and officework of the Holy Spirit; that is, in the enlightening, regenerating, and sanctifying influence and power of the Spirit. John xvi. 7. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you. 8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9. Of sin; because they believe not on me: 10. Of righteousness; because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more: 11. Of judgment; because the prince of this world is judged. Chap. xiv. 16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. 17. Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwèneth with you, and shall be in you. 26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you. Acts i. 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Titus iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness. which 22. He also that had received two talents came, and said, Lord, thou deliveredst to me two talents; behold I have gained two other talents besides them. 23. His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24. Then he which had received the one talent came, and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed: 25. And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26. His lord answered and said to him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed: 27. Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming 1 should have received mine own with usury. 28. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it to him which hath ten talents. 29. For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. John v. 40. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. Mark i. 15. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Chap. xiii. 38. Be it known to you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 And by him, all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Chap. xvii. 30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent. 1 John iii. 23. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 7. She believes that man is justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, the law, or by works of his own righte by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. 6. She believes in the free, moral agency ousness. Rom. iii. 28. Therefore we conclude, that a man is of man; that he has moral ability, because justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Chap. iv. 4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt; Matt. xxiij. 27. Wo to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Chap. xxv. 14. For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods. 15. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16. Then he that had received the five talents, went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20. And so he that had received five talents, came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst to ne five talents: behold, I have gained besides them five talents more. 21. His lord said to him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for right eousness. Gal. ii. 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Phil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. 8. She believes in the necessity of regeneration or the new birth; or, in the change of man's moral nature, after the image of God, by the influence and power of the word and spirit of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. John iii. 5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Titus iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6. Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; |