Question 29 — What is the duty of the church towards their elders, pastors, or teachers?
John Owen A Brief Instruction in the Worship of God Sixthly, This authority and power, thus received from Christ, is that which they exert and put forth in all their ministerial administrations, in all which they do as ministers in the house of God, either in his worship or in the rule of the church itself. They exercise that authority of Christ which he hath in his law appointed to be exercised in his church; and from that authority is due order given unto the administration of all the ordinances of worship, and an obligation unto obedience to acts of rule doth thence also ensue; so that they who despise them despise the authority of Christ.
Seventhly, When, as elders, they do or declare any thing in the name of the church, they do not, as such, put forth any authority committed unto them from and by the church, but only declare the consent and determination of the church in the exercise of their own liberty and privilege; but the authority which they act by, and which they put forth, is that which is committed to themselves, as such, by Jesus Christ.
Eighthly, This authority is comprised in the law and constitution of Christ, which themselves exert only ministerially; and therefore, when ever they act any thing authoritatively, which they are not enabled for or warranted in by the word of the gospel, or do any thing without or contrary unto rule, all such actings, as to any spiritual effect of the gospel, or obligation on the consciences of men, are "ipso facto" null, and are no way ratified in heaven, where all their orderly actings are made valid, — that is, by Christ himself in his word.
Ninthly, The reason, therefore, why the consent of the church is required unto the authoritative acting of the elders therein is, not because from thence any authority doth accrue unto them anew, which virtually and radically they had not before, but because by the rule of the gospel this is required to the orderly acting of their power, which without it would be contrary to rule, and therefore ineffectual; as also it must needs be from the nature of the thing itself, for no act can take place in the church without or against its own consent, whilst its obedience is voluntary and of choice.
But if it be asked, "What, then, shall the elders do in case the church refuse to consent unto such acts as are indeed according to rule, and warranted by the institution of Christ?" it is answered, that they are, — 1. Diligently to instruct them from the word in their duty, making known the mind of Christ unto them in the matter under consideration; 2. To declare unto them the danger of their dissent in obstructing the edification of the body, to the dishonour of the Lord Christ and their own spiritual disadvantage; 3. To wait patiently for the concurrence of the grace of God with their ministry in giving light and obedience unto the church; and, 4. In case of the church's continuance in any failure of duty, to seek for advice and counsel from the elders and brethren of other churches;
— all which particulars might be enlarged, would the nature of our present design and work permit it.
Question 29 — What is the duty of the church towards their elders, pastors, or teachers? a b Answer — To have them in reverence and honour for their office and work's sake; to obey them c conscientiously in all things wherein they speak unto them in the name of the Lord; to pray earnestly