The Independent or Congregational theory includes two principles; first, that the governing and executive power in the Church is in the brotherhood;... →
Charles Hodge
All Church power arises from the indwelling of the Spirit; therefore those in whom the Spirit dwells are the seat of Church power. But the Spirit... →
If all Church power vests in the clergy, then the people are practically bound to passive obedience in all matters of faith and practice; for all... →
Romanists tell us that the Pope is the vicar of Christ; that he is his successor as the universal head and ruler of the Church on earth. If this is... →
All Church power is, therefore, properly ministerial and administrative. Everything is to be done in the name of Christ, and in accordance with his... →
All the reasons which require the subjection of a believer to the brethren of a particular church, require his subjection to all his brethren in the... →
As the Church is the aggregate of believers, there is an intimate analogy between the experience of the individual believer, and of the Church as a... →
Christ has not only ordained that there shall be such officers in his Church - he has not only specified their duties and prerogatives - but he gives... →
The Popish theory, which assumes that Christ, the Apostles and believers, constituted the Church while our Saviour was on earth, and this... →
The right of the people to a substantive part in the government of the Church is recognized and sanctioned by the apostles in almost every... →