Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

the good effects likely to arife from it. In the commandment that women should keep filence in the churches, it is implied that the men were at liberty to speak, and he commands the believers to exhort one another daily while it is called today, Heb. iii. 13. One great end for which Chriftians are commanded to affemble, is, that they might have stated opportunities of mutual exhortation. "Not forfaking the affembling of yourfelves together, as the manner of some is, but exborting one another." Thus ought all the gifts poffeffed by the members to be turned to ac

count.

Christians in this country have experienced the good effects of mutual exhortation in their fellowship meetings. In confequence of not being connected with churches of Christ, they were deprived of this and various other advantages, and to supply the deficiency, they met together in private. But a church of Chrift furnishes all the means of grace within itself, and although it does not prevent the members from meeting more privately, it does not oblige them to do fo in order to enjoy the benefit of mutual exhortation.

Under the head of the apostles' doctrine we must not omit another important appointed means for the edification of the churches-reading the Scriptures in their public affemblies. The reading of Mofes and the prophets was long practised in the Jewish fynagogues. Of this mention is

period after our Lord's afcenfion, the apoftles began to write and to publish the Scriptures of the New Testament, and it was intended that these writings should be publicly read, as is evident from the injunctions delivered to the churches. Thus Paul, in writing to the church at Coloffe, “When this epiftle is read amongst you, cause that it be read alfo in the church of the Laodiceans, and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea," ch. iv. 16. The fame exhortation is elsewhere very strongly enforced: "I charge you by the Lord, that this epiftle be read unto all the holy brethren," 1 Theff. v. 27. Reading was not an occafional duty, and the writings which were occafionally addreffed to the churches by the apoftles, were not those only which were read. It seems to have been a stated exercife, and no doubt was extended to all those parts of Scripture which were then in existence. Timothy is enjoined to discharge with diligence and conftancy this part of duty: "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." That this refers to public reading, seems probable from the confideration that the apostle's design is to instruct Timothy, and through him, the minifters of Chrift in all ages, how he and they ought to behave in the house of God: reading, also, is here connected with teaching and exhortation.

Indeed when we confider, that, through the goodness of God, his whole revelation is con

reasonable than that a part of it should constantly be read in the churches of the faints, that their views of divine truth may be enlarged, and that the word of Chrift may dwell in them richly.

The word of God enjoins all things to be done to edification; but let not this direction be abused to fet afide any of the Lord's ordinances. As no order or form of proceeding on the Lord's day is prescribed or related in Scripture, and as many besides the church frequently attend, we ought to have in view the benefit of all who hear, and to conduct the services in such a manner that this, as well as the edification of the church, may also be promoted.

SECTION II.

Of the fellowship or Contribution.

WE have already confidered what is meant by the church at Jerufalem having all things in common, atavтa xava. Hence is derived zovana, fellowship or communion. As it was the duty of every church to affift its poor members, and as this affiftance was bestowed by the voluntary contributions of all the members, the term came into general use. Thus Paul writes, "It hath pleased them of Macedonia to make a certain fellowship," Rom.xv. 26. The fame word occurs, 2 Cor. ix. 13. your liberal fellowship, and in various other places. The Greek fathers ufe xnuorum, alms,

period after our Lord's afcenfion, the apostles began to write and to publish the Scriptures of the New Testament, and it was intended that these writings should be publicly read, as is evident from the injunctions delivered to the churches. Thus Paul, in writing to the church at Coloffe, "When this epistle is read amongst you, cause that it be read alfo in the church of the Laodiceans, and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea," ch. iv. 16. The fame exhortation is elsewhere very strongly enforced: "I charge you by the Lord, that this epiftle be read unto all the holy brethren," 1 Theff. v. 27. Reading was not an occafional duty, and the writings which were occafionally addreffed to the churches by the apoftles, were not those only which were read. It feems to have been a stated exercise, and no doubt was extended to all those parts of Scripture which were then in existence. Timothy is enjoined to discharge with diligence and conftancy this part of duty:"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." That this refers to public reading, seems probable from the confideration that the apostle's defign is to inftruct Timothy, and through him, the ministers of Chrift in all ages, how he and they ought to behave in the house of God: reading, also, is here connected with teaching and exhortation.

Indeed when we confider, that, through the goodnefs of God, his whole revelation is con

reasonable than that a part of it should conftantly be read in the churches of the faints, that their views of divine truth may be enlarged, and that the word of Christ may dwell in them richly.

The word of God enjoins all things to be done to edification; but let not this direction be abused to fet afide any of the Lord's ordinances. As no order or form of proceeding on the Lord's day is prescribed or related in Scripture, and as many befides the church frequently attend, we ought to have in view the benefit of all who hear, and to conduct the services in fuch a manner that this, as well as the edification of the church, may also be promoted.

SECTION II.

Of the fellowship or Contribution.

WE have already confidered what is meant by the church at Jerufalem having all things in common, aжαvтa xova. Hence is derived zovana, fellowship or communion. As it was the duty of every church to affift its poor members, and as this affiftance was bestowed by the voluntary contributions of all the members, the term came into general use. Thus Paul writes, "It hath pleased them of Macedonia to make a certain fellowship," Rom. xv. 26. The fame word occurs, 2 Cor. ix. 13. your liberal fellowship, and in various other places. The Greek fathers use £λenμosuvn, alms,

« ElőzőTovább »