Jan 25
5
Second London Confession 26.12
“As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15)
Scripture Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6–18
“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6–18)
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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.
Second London Confession 26.12 Explained
The first part of Second London Confession 26.12 reminds us of what was said in paragraphs 2 and 5 – “all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches.” The New Testament is very clear about this. Those who are effectually called to faith in Christ and repentance by the word of God preached and by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit are to be baptized into the church where they will be taught to observe all that Christ has commanded (see Matthew 28:18-20). The church – the local church – is everywhere present in the New Testament. Disciples of Jesus are not to walk independently but within the context of a local church community.
Notice, our confession does leave some room for exceptions to the rule when it says, “when and where they have opportunity so to do…” It is possible that someone who has turned from their sins to trust in Jesus lives in a land where there is no church. In cases such as this, the believer ought to pray fervently that the Lord would bring others to faith in Christ so that Christian fellowship may be enjoyed. And these believers must pray that God would raise up a pastor or elder to serve the church so that the word of God may be preached and the sacraments administered. But ordinarily, believers will have an opportunity to join a true church, and this they must do in obedience to the command of Christ. Stated negatively, if a professing believer has an opportunity to join themselves to a true church of Jesus Christ and they refuse, they live in disobedience to Christ the King.
It is the second half of 2LCF 26.12 that contains new material. It says, “so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.” Notice a few things about this statement.
One, we are reminded that certain privileges come along with church membership. What are these privileges? I’ll name a few. Church members enjoy the preaching of the word of God, the Lord’s Supper, the fellowship of the saints, the oversight of the elders, the accountability of the congregation.
Two, by mentioning the privileges of church membership we are reminded that church members have responsibilities. Church members have responsibilities to the pastor and elders and church members have responsibilities towards one another. Not long ago the men of Emmaus progressed through a book called The Duties Of Christian Fellowship by John Owen. I’d recommend that book to you all. Benjamin Keach’s, The Glory Of A True Church, also contains a chapter on the duties of church members to their pastor (chapter 4).
Three, this last portion of 2LCF 26.12 states that “all admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof…” This means that those who covenant to join a church come under the authority of that church. They are accountable to that church. They are subject to the discipline of that church. “Censures” means rebuke. In this context, “censures” refers to the disciplinary action of the church in general.
The New Testament Scriptures have a lot to say about church discipline. The most famous passage is Matthew 18:15-20. That passage tells church members how to handle private offenses or sins. But Matthew 18 is not the only text about church discipline. 1 Corinthians 5 is also important. It provides instructions for dealing with scandalous and unrepentant sin in the church. And the 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 passage that we read a moment ago must not be ignored. There Paul tells us how to deal with a brother or sister in Christ who is walking in a disorderly way. The church is instructed to “take note of” the disorderly person, and to “: have nothing to do with” them, that they “may be ashamed. Do not regard [them] as an enemy, but warn [them] as a brother”, the Apostle says.
Notice that 1 Thessalonians 5:14 is listed as a proof text for this paragraph. There Paul speaks to the church in Thessalonica, saying, “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). This is a very important verse, one that will help us greatly in matters of discipline. It reminds us that distinctions are to be made between members who are idle, fainthearted, and weak. Each is to be treated differently. Those who are idle are to be admonished (warned), those who are faintheartedly encouraged (consoled), and those who are weak are to be helped (assisted). Finally, Paul commands that patience be shown to all.
There are still other passages that instruct us about church censures. For example, Titus 1:13 reveals that there are occasions when a minister must rebuke sharply. Titus 3:10 reveals that the church must have nothing to do with a divisive person after they are warned twice. Those who wish to learn more about the variety of passages that speak to the issue of church discipline would do well to read Keach’s The Glory Of A True Church.
The thing to notice about the last phrase of 2LCF 26.12 is the word “all” – “all admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof…” This means that the rich and those with political power or ecclesiastical authority are not exempt from church discipline.
Finally, all of this teaching is said to be “according to the rule of Christ.” And this brings us right back to the central principle of 2LCF 26.4: “The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner…” If you love Jesus you will love his church and you will endeavor to obey all that Christ has commanded regarding the church’s order and government.
Conclusion
Who is subject to the order and discipline of the church?
“As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15)
