Episode Details

Chapter 31: Of Synods And Councils (Part 2)

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

WCF 30.2

Q1. What are the roles of Synods? Provide the Biblical basis for each role.

Q2. So if the board of elders is meant to make the spiritual decisions in the church, why does the congregation have a say in changing the constitution?

Q3. If in the Bible, the elders are appointed then why do we have elections now? Is it mixed with the congregational system since we vote the elders in? By how we vote the session and BOE and it needing a certain percentage to be voted in, to an outsider it would sound like we are based on a congregational system?

WCF 30.3

Q4. Do unsound Presbyteries and unsound Synods mean that the Presbyterian system is wrong? Explain.

Q5. Give Scriptural support on how churches should respond when a Synod or its decisions are not Scriptural.

Q6. What is the current situation for the Asia Pacific BP movement regarding Synods?

Q7. What are the lessons learnt?

WCF 30.4

Q8. What are the boundaries of responsibilities of Synods? Provide Scriptural support.

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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 22nd January 2021

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