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1 The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the
Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have
been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the
fulness of him that filleth all in all.1
1Hebrews 12:23; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:10, 22, 23; 5:23, 27, 32
2 All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience
unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the
foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible saints;2 and of such ought all particular
congregations to be constituted.3
21 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 11:26 3Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:20–22
3 The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error;4 and some have so degenerated as to become no
churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan;5 nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this
world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name.6
41 Corinthians 5; Revelation 2; Revelation 3 5Revelation 18:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12 6Matthew 16:18; Psalms 72:17; 102:28; Revelation 12:17
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;7
neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son
of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord
shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.8
7Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:18–20; Ephesians 4:11, 12 82 Thessalonians 2:2–9
5 In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth
out of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his Word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him
by his Father,9 that they may
walk before him in all the ways of obedience, which he prescribeth to them in his Word.10 Those thus called, he commandeth to walk
together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that
public worship, which he requireth of them in the world.11
9John 10:16; 12:32 10Matthew 28:20 11Matthew 18:15–20
6 The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and
evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of
Christ;12 and do willingly
consent to walk together according to the appointment of Christ, giving up themselves to the Lord, and one to
another, by the will of God, in professed subjection to the ordinances of the Gospel.13
12Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2 13Acts 2:41, 42; 5:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 9:13
7 To each of these churches thus gathered, according to his mind declared in his Word,
he hath given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order in
worship and discipline, which he hath instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the due and
right exerting, and executing of that power.14
14Matthew 18:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 5:4, 5; 5:13; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8
8 A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of
Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by
the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or
duty, which he intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or
elders, and deacons.15
15Acts 20:17, 28; Philippians 1:1
9 The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the
Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common
suffrage of the church itself;16 and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of
the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted therein;17 and of a deacon that he be chosen by the
like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands.18
16Acts 14:23 171 Timothy 4:14 18Acts 6:3, 5, 6
10 The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his
churches, in the ministry of the Word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an
account to Him;19 it is
incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to
communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability,20 so as they may have a comfortable supply,
without being themselves entangled in secular affairs;21 and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards
others;22 and this is
required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they that
preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.23
19Acts 6:4; Hebrews 13:17 201 Timothy 5:17, 18; Galatians 6:6, 7 212 Timothy 2:4 221 Timothy 3:2 231 Corinthians 9:6–14
11 Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in
preaching the Word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the Word is not so peculiarly confined to
them, but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the
church, may and ought to perform it.24
24Acts 11:19–21; 1 Peter 4:10, 11
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.25
251 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15
13 No church members, upon any offence taken by them, having performed their duty
required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any church-order, or absent
themselves from the assemblies of the church, or administration of any ordinances, upon the account of such
offence at any of their fellow members, but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the
church.26
26Matthew 18:15–17; Ephesians 4:2, 3
14 As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continually for the good
and prosperity of all the churches of Christ,27 in all places, and upon all occasions to further it (every one within the
bounds of their places and callings, in the exercise of their gifts and graces) so the churches, when planted
by the providence of God, so as they may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold communion
among themselves, for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification.28
27Ephesians 6:18; Psalms 122:6 28Romans 16:1, 2; 3 John 8–10
15 In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or
administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church, in their peace,
union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in
censures not agreeable to truth and order: it is according to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding
communion together, do, by their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter
in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned;29 howbeit these messengers assembled, are not intrusted with any
church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any
censures either over any churches or persons; or to impose their determination on the churches or
officers.30
29Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 25
302 Corinthians 1:24; 1 John 4:1
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