Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – D.B. Ray – Elder Rule by – Equality in the Kingdom Part TWO Section I. — Baptist peculiarity fifth tested by THE bible.

Thomas E Kresal December 31, 2019

Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – D.B. Ray – Elder Rule by – Equality in the Kingdom Part TWO Section I. — Baptist peculiarity fifth tested by THE bible.

It is almost universally admitted, that the churches of Jesus Christ are the executives of his kingdom, appointed to execute the laws of the King. Now, if this position be correct, then all the members of each church are authorized to participate in the transaction of business, unless some of them are expressly prohibited by the Word of God; but no class of church members are prohibited from a participation in the transaction of business; therefore, all the members are authorized to act in the transaction of business.

But the question may be asked: “Do not the ministers or elders possess superior authority to rule over the churches, and execute the laws of the kingdom?” It is very important that we should understand the meaning of the New Testament ruling by the elders or pastors of the churches. This New Testament ruling is not to do all the voting, and transact all the business of a church in matters of discipline, hut to give them meat in due season; for Jesus “

The Lord said, (Luke 12:42) “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?”

The Lord has made these “rulers” over his house, not to decide cases of discipline, but to give them their portion of meat in due season. He has appointed them to feed his sheep and lambs. It is further evident, from the language of 1 Peter 5:1-3, that the elders of the churches are to rule by advice and example, and not by deciding cases of discipline.

Thus we find that the elders are to rule by example and by feeding the flock of Christ. Whatever may be the different gifts or offices in the Church of Christ, no member has a right to claim the pre-eminence in the execution of the laws of Christ. The very fact that the ministers or elders are chosen or ordained by the churches, proves that they are inferior in point of authority to the churches which have invested them with the ministerial office. The apostles themselves only claimed to be servants of the churches;

2 Corinthians 4:5 “ For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

Thomas E. Kresal from: Baptist Succession by D.B. Ray, Chapter XII, page 211-12