It belongs 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 maladministration, 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.
In a nutshell, such assemblies properly concern themselves with matters of doctrine or Christian practicality and to settle disputes. In all things they strive to maintain the peace and purity of the church. But the authority of these assemblies is not absolute--if the decisions they make are consonant with Scripture, they should be heeded as is right given their ecclesiastical authority, but if contrary to Scripture they must not be obeyed.
Tomorrow: Synods and councils are not infallible.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment