Episode Details

Chapter 31: Of Synods And Councils (Part 1)

Speaker: Reverend Joseph Poon

Website: http://www.bpcwa.org.au/

DOWNLOAD WCF Chapter 31: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gm4lMOx_69jFq4jhQ2Lt0TSqVUGczE94/view

Introduction - (00:00)

QUESTIONS

Q1. What are the common forms of church government?

Q2. Explain each form and give examples of denominations for each.

Q3. What is the most Biblical form of church government? Why? Why is it called by this name?

Q4. What are some dangers of the other forms of church government?

Q5. What are some of the wise reasons in the God ordained form of church government?

Q6. Who are the overseers and rulers of individual churches? What are the Scriptural basis for that?

Q7. Are there differences in the roles of these overseers in a church? What are they?

Q8. What are Synods?

Q9. What are the use of Synods? Who are appointed to them? Why?

Q10. What is the Scriptural basis for Synods?

Q11. What brought about the need to go to Jerusalem? Who went? Why?

Q12. Who were mentioned in the Jerusalem council regarding resolving issues?

Q13. How did the Jerusalem council function in Scriptures?

Q14. What were sent out from this council? What should we learn?

Q15. How were the churches established in the NT? What should we learn?

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CHAPTER XXXI OF SYNODS AND COUNCILS

1. FOR the better government, and further edification of the church, there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called Synods or Councils;1 and it belongeth to the overseers and other rulers of the particular churches, by virtue of their office, and the power which Christ hath given them for edification and not for destruction, to appoint such assemblies;2 and to convene together in them, as often as they shall judge it expedient for the good of the Church.3 vii

1. 1 Cor. 5 throughout; 1 Tim. 5:20; Matt. 7:6; 1 Tim. 1:20; 1 Cor. 11:27 to the end; With Jude 23

2. Acts 15

3. Acts 15:22,23,25

2. It belongeth to synods and councils ministerially to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of his church; to receive complaints in cases of mal-administration, and authoritatively to determine the same; which decrees and determinations, if consonant to the word of God, are to be received with reverence and submission, not only for their agreement with the word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God, appointed thereunto in his word.4 viii

4. Acts 15:15, 19, 24, 27-31; Acts. 16:4; Matt. 18:17-20

3. All synods or councils since the apostles’ times, whether general or particular, may err, and many have erred; therefore they are not to be made the rule of faith or practice, but to be used as an help in both.5

5. Eph. 2:20; Acts 17:11; I Cor. 2:5; II Cor. 1:24

4. Synods and councils are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is ecclesiastical; and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs, which concern the common wealth, unless by way of humble petition, in cases extraordinary; or by way of advice for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate.6

6. Luke 12:13-14; John 18:36

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Westminster Confession of Faith Series

Bible Presbyterian Church of WA

Friday 15th January 2021

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