Nostr Web Client

I have found this quote to be most useful from A.A. Hodge:

"In all churches a distinction is made between the terms upon which private members are admitted to membership, and the terms upon which office-bearers are admitted to their sacred trusts of teaching and ruling. A Church has no right to make anything a condition of membership which Christ has not made a condition of salvation. The Church is Christ’s fold. The sacraments are seals of his covenant. All have a right to claim admittance who make a credible profession of the true religion--that is, who are presumptively the people of Christ. This credible profession of course involves a competent knowledge of the fundamental doctrine of Christianity--a declaration of personal faith in Christ and consecration to his service, and a temper of mind and habit consistent therewith. On the other hand, no man can be inducted into any office in any Church who does not profess to believe in the truth and wisdom of the constitution and laws which it will be his duty to conserve and administer. Otherwise all harmony of sentiment and all efficient co-operation in action would be impossible."

#biblestr

Nobody 1y ago

I agree whole heartedly. There's efforts in my country to compel churches to allow anyone to be hired, even those who aren't adhering to Christian principles. Firstly, I'm not really sure why such a person would want to work for the church...

But a more interesting point is that political parties are allowed to descriminate between who has the right political views to be employed in the service of the party and who doesn't when hiring. And to my mind, what the church does is no different, you hire for belief in the organisation, so it shouldn't be made an object of politics.

But your quote also mentions the difference between hiring and being a member, and any church that discriminates when people who don't look like everyone else show up is also in the wrong.

Reply to this note

Please Login to reply.

Discussion

Dikaios1517 1y ago

Yes, it certainly has multiple applications. There are four things going on here:

1. Church Offices, such as Pastor, Elder, and Deacon, which must adhere to the system of doctrine the denomination believes the Bible teaches.

2. Church employees, which are not office holders, but who the church ought to be able to hire or not hire based upon how closely that church believes they ought to adhere to the system of doctrine.

3. Church membership, which is formally coming under the authority of a particular church, and the only requirement is a credible profession of faith.

4. Attendance at a particular church without membership, which ought not to be barred for anyone, regardless of what they believe. However, this does not necessarily apply to what they look like, or rather how they present themselves. If someone shows up in their birthday suit, they're getting turned away, sorry.

Nobody 1y ago

Okay fair... But if someone is out in public in their birthday suit they'd also be arrested for indecent exposure if they went to a shopping centre rather than a church.

Dikaios1517 1y ago

Very true!

There is certainly some room for discretion when it comes to folks who are actively belligerent, drunk, high, or otherwise presenting themselves in a way that would be an undue distraction for those who came to worship.

But this comes down to recognizing the purpose of Sunday worship. It is not for public outreach. It is for the saints to worship their God as he has called them to, and to fellowship with and build one another up.

When doing outreach ministry, one should absolutely expect to encounter folks of all stripes, and probably keep the young children at home with a babysitter.

Nobody 1y ago

That was well articulated.