“We believe, that this true Church must be governed by that spiritual policy…”
1. Articles 30-32 deal with the church as an institute:
a. We can distinguish the church as church visible and invisible, militant and triumphant, organism and institute.
b. In these articles the Confession deals with the church as an institute. Hence, in them the Confession speaks of the offices, the government, and the discipline of the church.
2. Article 30 mentions that the church must be governed according to the spiritual policy Christ revealed in His Word:
a. Policy here means a system of rules and principles for government.
b. The policy in the church must be spiritual, in distinction from the character of the sword-power of the world. The church has no sword, but keys. She does not avenge evil, but must always be motivated by the love of Christ and the salvation of His people.
3. Further, it mentions the church council:
a. In general, for the purpose:
1) that the unity of the church may be manifest and maintained.
2) that all things may be accomplished with good order and decency.
3) that the body of Christ may be edified.
b. In particular:
1) that the truth may be preserved and propagated.
2) that church discipline may be exercised.
3) that the poor and needy may be relieved and comforted.
4. Further, it tells us that the church council consists of:
a. Ministers or pastors:
1) for the preaching of the Word.
2) the administration of the sacraments. Word and sacraments belong together, and should never be separated.
b. Elders, to whom especially the government and discipline of the church is entrusted.
c. Deacons, particularly to care for the needy and distressed. (We may remark here that the Confession includes the deacons in the consistory or church council. The Church Order excludes them, except in places where the consistory is very small.)
5. Principally the Consistory is the sole ruling body in the church, and the Confession does not mention other assemblies. However, when several local congregations unite into a denominational church connection, other assemblies originate:
a. the classis, consisting of two delegates,-generally the minister and an elder,-from each local church.
b. the general synod, consisting of six delegates from each classis, three pastors and three elders, or, as it is in our small churches, four ministers and four elders from each classis. (In the Netherlands the Reformed Churches also have particular synods, intervening between classes and general synod.) These assemblies are not superior and supreme courts, but broader or larger assemblies. The basis of agreement is the confession.