The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-09-15

cording to tho diversitics Of countries,
times, and mems manners, so that
nothing be ordained against Gods
word" To have traditions and cere-
monies " not required by Gods word,
Is, itself, to crdain something "against
Gods word" And it Is equally 'against
Gods word" either to abolish or change
what is required in tho scriptures. See
also the concluding sentence of the
same article: Every particular or ma.
tional Church hath authority to ordain,
change and abolish ceremonies or rites
of the Church ordained only By MANS
authority, so that all things be done to
cdifying." l should prefer to say that
no Church, claiming to be a Church Of
Christ, has any authority to ordain, to
have, or to maintain or observe any
such ceremonies or rites !" for no
man has authority TO ordain such. 1t
is time that the world learned the sub.
limo truth that God hath given Christ
to be heat over 0U things to the
Church." Eph. / /: %. His authority is
supreme, and exclusive of all other
authority, in regard to the Church.
In the paragraph quoted by Mr.. +.
and for the statements Of which, he
desires my authority, there ATE some
alternative and some ncgdtiUe PROPOSE
tions. What state, that is in its nature
aDi,mutiUe I will furnish direct and
affirmative authority; in regard to what
| I lovo q tod ibot l. DoIy,yfyo IL, ita f.bur.
acter, requires no other authority than
the absence OF any authority for the
opposing affirmative.
In the article referred to by Mr.. f. l
said During the lifetime of the apos-
ties there was a plurality Of bishops or
Elders, in each local congregation OF
christians" This statement is aifirma-
ative aud it is my duty to adduco ex-
plicit authority in its favor. 1t con-
tains, in effect, two propositions, First,
That Bishops and Elders, were identi-
cal or that these words are but two
different names for the same Office.
Second, That a plurality of these Off
ccls existed during the lifetime of the
apostles, in each local congregation OF
christians.
That Bishops and Elders were the
same officers, will appear from the fol-
lowing facts; In Tim. 3, we have the
qualifications of Bishops pointed out
Amongst them are the following "On'
that rueth well his own house, having
his children in subjection with all grav
ity; for if man know not how to rul
his own house how shall he take care {
the Church of God" Then in chapto
5: II, we read again: Let the ride,
that rule well, he counted worthy {
double honor, especially they who labt
in word and doctrine" In Titus
81, we read For this cause left
thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set
order the things that are wanting; an
ordain Elders in every city, as / ha
appointed thee. If any be blame les
the husband Of one wife, having
faithful children, not accused of riot, O
unruly. For a Bishop must be blame
less" &c. In Acts 90: H. we read
- Sand from Miletus he sent to Ephesr
and called the Elders of the church.
le And at verse 2S, the apostle address,
n these Elders, in the following languag,
'" "Take heed therefore unto yourselve
Ly and to all the flock over which tn
st Holy Ghost hath made you (EpiScopO,H
IN (Bishops) overseers," &c. Why tn
in translators employed by King Jam,
al translated the word EpiscOpous by I'll
a word Bishop in every instance of il
an occurrence, cx ccpt this; aud why the
rs, did not 50 translate ii in this instance
n / will not now undertake to say. Cei
W. tain it is, that if they had translate
ty the word in this passage us they di
n every where else, their readers coul
he have seen, as clearly as those who rea
10 the original, that Bishops and Eldel
were but two names for the same Oilic
I'd In each Of the passages cited the wor
O. Bishop and E2cIer are used intcrchang,
er ably. This, it seems to me, is amp
re authorit" for the proposition that Bisl
n ops and Elders were the same officers
or That there was plurality of these q
ed fcers in each Local congregation
if Christians, will appear from the 70
or lowing facts: In Acts -: >, mention
a made of the Elders lin the plural) of ii
ii, Church in Jcru3alem. In Acts 20:
n. the E2derS lin the plural of the ChurC
ld in Ephesus are mentioned. In Titus
no 3, we read " For this cause left tn,
&c. in Crete that thou shouldst set in ord
Ir. the things that are wanting and orda
he Elders lin the pluraD in every city
for In Acts II: %, we read "And VIII,
M they had ordained them Elders lin t
er- plural) IN erery church, and had pray,
ed with fasting, they commended them
re. the Lord, on whom they believed"
IS. Any additional authority, it seems
t / me, would be sureriluous. Hence
nat conclude that the statement is CORE
that during the lifetime of the apt
lp- ties there was plurality of Bishops,
Iy Elders, in each local congregation
nd Christians"
'ct. also said 4" If Peter was one
po- these Bishops in the Church in the ci
all of Rome, he was only one of a Board
rat Bishops, or E.ders-all possessed
lor equal authority, as to that local Chur
be and neither Of them, by virture Of Il
be office, possessed Of any authority a
be where else" This, | respectfully 81
va nit, is the legitimate, logical and
lg- ce-sary conclusion from the precedi
'on II Bishops and Elders were but I
Die different names for the same office
IN, If there were a plurality Of these G
nat GERS in every Church, )" then it folio
.cr as logical conclusion, that if Peter
s." Bishop or Elder in the Church
his Rome, he was one of Board of Ri
LII ops or Elders-One of those who Z
d2i- stituted and composed this plural
lim That they We're all Of +" equal author
'ir- as TO that local Church, " is evident fr