Calvin Synod Herald, 2005 (106. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-05-01 / 5-6. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 7 4. Christ the Teacher. After these the heavenly Father even sent his only-begotten Son, the most perfect teacher of the world; in whom is hidden the wisdom of God, and which has come to us through the most holy, simple, and most perfect doctrine of all. For he chose disciples for himself whom he made apostles. These went out into the whole world, and everywhere gathered together churches by the preaching of the Gospel, and then throughout all the churches in the world they appointed pastors or teachers according to Christ’s command; through their successors he has taught and governed the Church unto this day. Therefore, as God gave unto his ancient people the patriarchs, together with Moses and the prophets, so also to his people of the New Testament he sent his only-begotten Son, and, with him, the apostles and teachers of the Church. The church today has a more sure word than any people had before as indicated here and in Hebrews 1. The understanding or interpretation of Scripture depends upon the Holy Spirit more than the faculties of men. God gave the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, preachers, and teachers. Care should be taken here because some churches extend to men and some men claim for themselves several of these titles. God is God and could send an apostle or apostles to the church if He desires. However, it is unlikely that an apostle or apostles will be in church this Sunday, or the next. They have completed their duty. The same is true of prophets, since the canon is complete. Evangelists were sent where there was no church. In this sense we have few evangelists today. That leaves preachers and teachers for the church, as it is known today. God has chosen the foolishness of the preaching of the gospel for the salvation of man. God called certain men for this task from the beginning. Nowhere in Scripture is the task assigned to all of the church. Even Paul says that faith comes from hearing and asks how they can hear if no one sent a preacher. Paul did not say a witness nor a spokesperson, but a preacher, the gift of God to the church. The purpose of this call and how it is in the assembling together as the church of God that the perfection of the saints is ordained. Discipleship means teaching; there is no way to escape the pedagogical nature of evangelism. This requires a church, a fixed place with those gifted by God to teach. 5. Ministers of the New Testament. Furthermore, the ministers of the new people are called by various names. For they are called apostles, prophets, evangelists, bishops, elders, pastors, and teachers (I Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11). The apostles did not stay in any particular place, but throughout the world gathered together different churches. When they were once established, there ceased to be apostles, and pastors took their place, each in his church. In former times the prophets were seers, knowing the future; but they also interpreted the Scriptures. Such men are also found still today. The writers of the history of the Gospel were called Evangelists; but they also were heralds of the Gospel of Christ; as Paul also commended Timothy: Do the work of an evangelist (II Tim. 4:5). Bishops are the overseers and watchmen of the Church, who administer the food and needs of the life of the Church. The presbyters are the elders and, as it were, senators and fathers of the Church, governing it with wholesome counsel. The pastors both keep the Lord’s sheepfold, and also provide for its needs. The teachers instruct and teach the true faith and godliness. Therefore, the ministers of the churches may now be called bishops, elders, pastors, and teachers. Although there is some difference in the thinking on the time and place of the various offices, it is accepted that the paragraph above is well expressed, well thought out, and worthy of all attention. One note however is that the Bible sent preachers as evangelists where there was no church. We use that title today and send preachers to establish a church on the comer next to an existing church. This is a misuse of the title evangelist at best. To send an evangelist into a city where there are churches is saying those churches are not part of the body of Christ. Almost everyone will disagree with this statement, but that is the meaning of the office as given in Scripture and as understood by Calvin. Unless and until a church has declared every church present apostate, the church cannot send an evangelist and needs to seek another term. Evangelists go where there is no church. Evangelists are the church-planters, the missionaries. 6. Papal Orders. Then in subsequent times many more names of ministers in the Church were introduced into the Church of God. For some were appointed patriarchs, others archbishops, others suffragans; also, metropolitans, archdeacons, deacons, subdeacons, acolytes, exorcists, cantors, porters, and I know not what others, as cardinals, provosts, and priors; greater and lesser fathers, greater and lesser orders. But we are not troubled about all these about how they once were and are now. For us the apostolic doctrine concerning ministers is sufficient. If called by God the minister will administer the Word and sacraments of God, despite the failings of man to understand the clearness and sureness of the line of authority from Christ to earth .as laid before us in Scripture and the assignment of ungodly titles in an attempt to create their own hierarchy. Christ’s own disciples did not understand there was no position of power and authority in the church. On the very night, Christ was to be taken from them they argued about who would have the right and left hand position (places of authority) in this new kingdom. To serve God is to be the servant of all, not a place of adoration or authority. Such titles and creation of power structures within the church are man-made and corrupt the government of the church by God. This does not say we do not have offices and subordination as such in the church, but it speaks to place of ministry and not power. It is even as we see the diversity within the Godhead, yet total unity of purpose and deed. 7. Concerning Monks. Since we assuredly know that monks, and the orders or sects of monks, are instituted neither by Christ nor by the apostles, we teach that they are of no use to the Church of God, nay rather, are pernicious. For, although in former times they were tolerable (when they were hermits, earning their living with their own hands, and were not a burden to anyone, but like the laity were everywhere obedient to the pastors of the churches), yet now the whole world sees and knows what they are like. They formulate I know not what vows; but they lead a life quite contrary to their vows, so that the best of them deserves to be numbered among those of whom the apostle said: We hear that some of you are living an irregular life, mere busybodies, not doing any work etc. (II Thess. 3:11). Therefore, we neither have such in our churches, nor do we teach that they should be in the churches of Christ.
