In about three hours I’m taking the final exam for the course I took at Reformed Theological Seminary over Christmas break. What am I doing to prepare? Blogging. Yep, this is a classic case of avoidance. My bane continues, but oh what pleasure it brings! Since I must suffer, then guess what? You, my devoted minions, get to help me study!
Q. What are Thomas Witherow’s Six Principles of Biblical Polity?
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Elders and deacons were chosen from the congregation. (Acts 6:3, 14:23)
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The offices of elder and bishop are identical. (1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Pet. 5:1-2)
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In each church there was a plurality of elders. (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; Heb. 13:17; James 5:14)
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Ordination was the work of the presbytery. (1 Tim. 4:14)
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Right of appeal in the assembly of the elders. (Acts 15)
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Christ alone is Head of the Church. (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:20-23, 5:23)
Q. What modern form of church polity most closely reflects that of the apostolic church?
A. The presbyterian form of church government most closely reflects that of the apostolic church, because it fulfills all six points. The episcopal system fails on all six points. The congregational and independent form fulfills points 1, 2, and 6 but fails on points 3, 4, and 5.
Q. What is the biblical justification for infant baptism?
A. Five Point Argument for Paedobaptism:
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Baptism is the sign and seal of the covenant of grace. (Rom. 4:11)
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Children are included with their parents in the covenant of grace. (Gen. 17ff)
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In the Old Testament, circumcision was the sign and seal of the covenant of grace. (Gen. 17:10-13)
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In the New Testament, baptism has taken the place of circumcision. (Col. 2:11-12)
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Covenant promises belong to the children of believers as well as their parents. (Acts 2:39)
Q. What offices has Christ instituted for leadership in His Church?
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Elders (1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23)
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Deacons (Acts 6; 1 Tim. 3)
Q. Were these the only offices in the apostolic era?
A. No, there were four offices in the apostolic era (1st Century AD). They were (1) Apostle, (2) Prophet, (3) Elder, and (4) Deacon. (Eph. 4:11)
yo drew, one quick point of clarification. More and more Baptist are using a plurality of elders. I’m sure your answer was supposed to be generalized, but I wanted to make that quick assessment.
Thanks, Michael. It’s very encouraging to see more and more churches going to a plurality of elders. Witherow was a Puritan who wrote in the 17th century and was observing independent churches of his day, so we should probably keep that in mind. However, I think his points are very poignant today for moving evangelical churches back to biblical polity.