6 April 2008 - Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew
WE ARE BIBLE-PRESBYTERIANS
Calvary Pandan BPC is a Presbyterian church as the name suggests. We are not a Congregational or an Episcopalian church. The Congregational Church may be depicted by an upside down triangle where the congregation has the final say in ALL matters including the doctrines of the church. Examples of Congregational Churches include Baptist, Brethren and Independent Churches. In an Episcopalian Church the picture is like that of a right side up triangle where the power is centered in one man. Examples of an Episcopalian system church would be the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
The image to describe the Presbyterian Church system is a trapezium with the shorter parallel side on top. It is ruled by the Board of Elders. The Bible-Presbyterian church is of this ecclesiastical mould.
Rule in the Presbyterian Church - The most spiritual people in the church will have oversight over the church of Jesus Christ. These men constitute the Board of Elders. Only men can be elders and pastors. There are no women elders or pastors in the Bible. The basis for this understanding is in 1Timothy 2:12 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7 . Only men will be elected as elders and pastors. The reasons are given in 1 Timothy 2:13-14 , "For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." The elders oversee as overseers of the flock of Jesus Christ. Speaking to the elders, The Bible warns in Acts 20:28 , "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." God will hold the pastors and elders responsible for the way the flock of Christ has been looked after.
Deacons and deaconesses assist the Board of Elders in the care and nurture and defense of the flock of Christ. They do not usurp the authority of the elders and pastors. As assistants they take their instructions from the elders and pastors.
Doctrinal Instruction in the Presbyterian Church - Truths or doctrines in the Bible are not voted upon by the congregation. They are decided by the most spiritual people in the church which will be the Board of Elders. This is patterned after Acts 15 when the most spiritual leaders of the early church (apostles and elders) met together to study and teach the churches the truths of God's Word. The early churches encountered the doctrinal problem of whether Gentile Christians ought to be circumcised. The apostles and elders (see Acts 15:6 ) came together to study and deliberate on the doctrinal issue. After deliberation they issued their doctrinal teaching. This was applied throughout all the early churches. There was no democratic majority voting on the truths of God's Word.
Hence the most spiritual in the congregation, the BOE, studies the Word of God and teaches doctrines to the whole church. This is reflected in our Church Constitution Article 11.2 which states, "The spiritual oversight of the Church in matters of doctrine, principles of government, church elections, admission and discipline of members and the administrative oversight of the Church shall be the specific responsibilities of the Board of Elders."
Role of members in the Presbyterian Church - The role of members is very important. Their duty is to pray and support the leaders whom they have elected into office. They are to obey the leaders who have the rule over the believers and God will hold them accountable if they fail in their duties. Hebrews 13:17 says, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
Having said this, it is to be noted that there is also a degree of mutual accountability on this earth. Understanding the nature of sinful man, the leaders of the church also require a certain level of accountability. This accountability is founded in the electoral process. Every pastor, elder, deacon and deaconess serves a term of three years before standing for election again. Unlike some churches where the pastors and elders remain in office for life, the B-P church has this safeguard to ensure that the leaders do not become lazy, proud and vaunt themselves.
The members can easily not elect those whom they see are derelict in their duties in caring and nurturing the flock of Christ. They might do so because the pastor or elder or deacon is seen to be a man pleaser or he is a hypocrite or he is not spiritual. This means that the members' right to vote is a grave responsibility that must not be taken lightly for they will be held accountable by God if the carnal or worldly person is elected into office. Every member must pray for the church and get to know his/her leaders by being involved in the church life. This will help them to be more acquainted with the leaders and to elect godly leaders into office who are prepared to die for the flock just as the good Shepherd died for His flock! He has set the perfect example for us all.
When these different roles are fulfilled by all in the church, the church will truly reflect Christ-likeness and bring glory to God. AMEN