A. Introduction.
1. Articles XXX through XXXII speak of the government of the church before the general subject of the sacraments is treated.
2. Consequently, these articles speak of the institute of the church in distinction from the church as organism, following the emphasis of Articles XXVIII and XXIX.
B. The church must be governed by the spiritual policy of Christ taught in the Word of God.
1. The word “policy” evidently means in this connection “system of rules” or “principles of government”.
2. Negatively, this means:
a. The church is the spiritual body of Christ, and therefore has a “constitution” which differs radically from any other system of government.
b. It is not a democratic organization where the majority rules, or where the power to rule is invested in the membership.
c. Its power is not the power of the sword, either to wage war or to enforce its laws.
3. Positively, this means,
a. Its power is spiritual and is limited to the exercise of the keys of the kingdom-if, indeed, this can be called a limitation.
b. Its principles are found only in the Word of God, the principles upon which its government is based.
C. The offices in the church.
1. In general we may notice:
a. That Christ is the chief and only Officebearer in His church. He is Prophet-Priest-King. He suffered and died for His Church, and she belongs to Him. He is given the right and authority to save His Church and rule over her in such a way that she is finally brought to glory with Him.
b. Nevertheless, Christ is now in heaven where we cannot see Him, and we are upon earth. It therefore pleases our Lord to exercise His authority over His church through office bearers whom He appoints and calls and qualifies in order to rule in His name, that He may rule through them.
c. The rule of Jesus Christ Himself over His people while they are in this life is therefore through the offices instituted in the church. Whether there will be a certain manifestation of the offices of minister, elder and deacon in heaven is difficult to say, but is not inconceivable.
2. These offices are:
a. The office of minister through which Christ preaches His Word to His people and administers the sacraments, and which reveals Christ as Prophet.
b. The office of elder through which Christ rules over His people and which is the manifestation of Christ as King.
c. The office of deacon by means of which Christ relieves and comforts the needy and distressed and by means of which Christ is revealed as our merciful High Priest.
3. The purpose of the institution of these offices is described as being:
a. Notice first of all that the article teaches that the ministers, the elders and the deacons constitute the “council of the Church”. This is in distinction from the Church Order. Cf. Arts. 23~26, 37, 40.
b. That the true religion may be preserved.
c. That the true doctrine may be everywhere propogated.
d. That transgressors may by punished and restrained.
e. That the poor and distressed may be relieved and comforted.