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2 Identifying Biblical Eldership
If a plurality of elders is the scriptural mode for church governance, as asserted by the Reformed Baptists, then every church falling short of this practice is in error. And a serious error it is, for the Reformed Baptists have made this issue a leading point of doctrine. Their biblical thesis for a plural eldership hinges on four propositions: First, church officers were chosen from the congregation at which time they became ‘elders’ (whether it be teaching or ruling elders). Second, the pattern recorded in the New Testament always points to each church having a plurality of elders. Third, this scriptural pattern is paramount to an apostolic prescription that is binding on each church—ideally, every congregation is responsible to appoint a plural eldership. Fourth, the…
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1 An Introduction To Plural Eldership
During the 1950’s, a resurgence of Presbyterian theology greatly influenced a number of Baptist ministers. At that time, a revision was made on how Baptist churches should function. Drawing from the Presbyterian teachings on church polity, it was advocated that each congregation should be served by a plurality of elders and deacons. Elders would be responsible for the spiritual welfare of the church; deacons would be responsible for the physical upkeep of the church. As this concept was developed, two camps of plural eldership emerged:
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Preface To The Teaching Transcripts
The following articles are transcripts (with slight revisions) of my pulpit teachings between the years 2010-2013, given to the church meeting at Kensington Place, London, over which I was then pastor. In the Autumn of 2009, the church came under internal and external pressures to replace the pastoral office with a plural eldership, as advocated by the Reformed Baptists. Since this type of polity had never been practiced by the 150 year old church, I was not quick to adopt the system. Nevertheless, I was willing to make the change so long as the Scriptures sanctioned it. The arguments set forth by the plural eldership proponents were strong and convincing—on a biblical and practical level. However, there were a number of contradictions and unsettled issues…
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Jared Smith On Various Issues, The Earthen Vessel, William Styles, A Guide To Church Fellowship (Complete)
Spurgeonism And The Strict And Particular Baptists
Dear Sir,—For some time I have felt the need of a few straight and honest words on this subject, for the instruction both of brethren who are not sentimentally with us; and also of some of the members of our own Churches. The principles which distinguish us as a section of the Baptist denomination seem to be but little known. Our own friends manifest far less determination than they used, in contending for the faith—while hardly a month passes, but I am entreated to advance the interests of brethren holding the late Mr. Spurgeon's creed, by introducing them to some of our vacant pulpits, as if their views and ours were all but identical and our differences were most immaterial and unimportant.
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The Origin Of The Reformed Baptist Movement
Dr. Kenneth Dix traced the origin of the Reformed Baptist movement to September 1955, with the first publication of the Banner of Truth Magazine. This magazine was started by Sidney Norton, the minister of St John’s Church, Oxford, and his ministerial assistant, Iain Murray. In 1956, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones invited Murray to serve as his assistant at Westminster Chapel, London. He held this post for three years, during which time the Banner of Truth Trust was organized. On July 22, 1957, The Banner of Truth Trust was registered as a non-profit charity, the trust deed stating: “The object of the Charity is to promote in such parts of the world as the Trustees may decide the better knowledge and understanding of the doctrines of the…
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1891 Inaugural Address To The Metropolitan Association Of Strict Baptist Churches
Inaugural Address To The Churches, Delivered At The Annual Meeting Of The Metropolitan Association Of Strict Baptist Churches, March 10th, 1891, By The President, Mr. W. K. Squirrell, Pastor Of Hill Street, Dorset Square, Marylebone. “Go in this thy might.”—Judges 6:14 Dear Brethren,—next to my call by grace, I feel it is my highest privilege to belong to the Strict and Particular Baptist Denomination; a denomination that, amidst all the tendency of the times towards indefiniteness, and the hollow cries of spurious charity, abides by the truth of God, and adheres to New Testament order of Church government. Thank God, dear brethren, we believe something, and that something is increasingly dear to us as our rule of faith and practice, "For the mouth of the…
