This extract is from the Free Presbyterian Church Manual of Practice and reflects the well-rehearsed position of the Reformed Church in Scotland. The Scottish Church always held that Presbyterian government by Kirk Sessions, Presbyteries and Synods and General Assemblies was by divine right and was mandated in the Word of God. This they sought to establish. This extract gives what is called “leading principles.”
“The constitution of a Kirk-Session in the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland is founded on principles indicated in the Word of God. The two leading principles are – (1) That the Scriptures of the New Testament describe an office of government or ruling in each Church of Congregation as an office which may be exercised by parties who are not set apart as teachers and pastors; and (2) That the evidence of the Old Testament writings and of relative history as to the constitution of the Jewish synagogue, combines with the apostolic references in the New Testament, and with the practice of the early Christian Church, in giving divine sanction to the existence of a body of Elders in each congregation who are called, along with the pastors to administer the laws of Christ in that Congregation. These two principles are held in connexion with the fundamental Presbyterian doctrine, that, under the Christian dispensation, no servant of Christ is warranted to exercise lordly authority over God’s heritage; but that all Church government in the hands of Church officers is strictly ministerial, and cannot supersede the direct authority of Christ’s word over the consciences of individual members in his body.”
A future post will, DV, point to the principles underlying the court known as the Presbytery.
By the way... 