Baptist Councils in America; A Historical Study of Their Origin and the Principles of Their Development (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. THE STATUS OF THE COUNCIL. In the preceding chapter we have traced the gradual entrance of the council into denominational recognition, or we might say, the emergence of the council as an institution through the application of the principles of fellowship to the varied conditions in which the churches found themselves. From the nature of its origin, the council is not a static thing and, as we shall see, it has always shown its vitality by 'its ability to develop and to adjust itself to meet new conditions. So when we speak of the status of the council, we must recognize that in some particulars this will vary with the growth and the changed relations of the churches. Yet there are some principles which have always been adhered to. In the first place, the council has ever been regarded as the servant, not the master of the churches. As we have traced its introduction into Baptist polity, we have seen that it was not imposed upon the churches from without, but was called into service by themselves to perform functions which the churches found necessary for their own best welfare. It was not self-creative, but the product of the growing fellowship among the churches. Its purpose was utilitarian, not ecclesiastical. It sprang into being from the needs of the churches, independent, yet constrained by the bonds of fellowship, and not from the impulse of the denomination to organize itself for corporate expression. Another principle is very evident from the nature of the origin of Baptist councils. In no sense are they essential to the existence of a true church or ministry. The churches antedate the council which was called into being by them. The local church is independent and possesses through its union with Christ, without reference to other bo...