JAN 23

Acts 15:6
Memorise Proverbs 15:22
“…but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.”

Acts 15:6 reads “And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.” The early church faced its first major challenge when certain believing Jews insisted that all Christians should still keep the entire Mosaic Law, including circumcision. The most spiritual believers (ie. the apostles and elders) came together to discuss the issue biblically, and they later came to a unanimous solution that glorified Christ. Believers, both in Jerusalem and abroad, accepted and rejoiced over this decision.

In 1643, more than one hundred years after the Reformation began, England was in political turmoil due to a power struggle between the English Parliament on the one hand, and King Charles 1 and his bishops on the other. One key issue was how far the English Reformation would progress in the Church of England; toward a Calvinistic standard or toward an Arminian and Catholic leaning one. That year, Parliament commissioned a gathering of 121 ‘divines’ or theologians to formulate the Westminster Standards (which included the Westminster Confession of Faith, Shorter and Larger Catechisms). It was to be a document subordinate to the Bible, articulating consensus of Scripture on matters of worship, doctrine, government and discipline for the Church of England. The document that they produced was an excellent systematic exposition of Calvinist orthodoxy whose adoption and influence were widespread in many reformed churches worldwide and continues to this very day in the Bible-Presbyterian Church. (See Article 4.1 Constitution of the Calvary Pandan B-P Church, Singapore)

Today, such coming together of spiritual men to discuss issues pertaining to the doctrine and spiritual growth of the church is reflected in the Board of Elders that govern any Presbyterian church (“Presbyterian” meaning rule by elders). A true BOE will always place Christ as the head of the church, and the BOE as under-shepherds. This is the biblical way to run a local church, not by one leader’s decision or congregational vote. While you personally might desire to have a greater say in how the church should be run, you must submit to the rule of the elders who are accountable to Christ for you and the rest of the flock. Do you?

Thought: Why do I sometimes resist authority?

Prayer: May I always be ready to obey lawful authority set above me.