Reformed Baptist Polity and Ecclesiology

[Blood-Bought Pilgrim]

Hey All,

Having become Baptist a while back now, I've been in the process of refining my understanding of ecclesiology and church polity in line with that shift. Of course all of my seminary stuff has been from a Presbyterian perspective, and some of that is very helpful, but there are adjustments needed. So I've been piecing things together on my own. Most of the stuff I've read so far, particularly the more practically-oriented stuff, has been from the 9Marks world.

I wanted to ask to see if anyone has any recommendations beyond that world that might be helpful from a Reformed Baptist perspective? It can be stuff that is in line with 9Marks stuff, or not. One major goal I have is to gain a better understanding of what the main polity debates are among Reformed Baptists so I can better ground my own positions.

Thanks!

 

[John Nyberg]

Greetings, brother! It seems like LBCF 1689 is helpful here:

"To each of these churches thus gathered, according to His mind declared in His Word, He has given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline, with commands and rules for the due and right exerting, and executing of that power." LBCF 1689 26.7

 

[paranymph]

Benjamin Keach, The Glory of a True Church is the best historic PB ecclesiology.
Somewhat recent debates are about the role of congregational & elder authority. Some RB are more elder-ruled and others more congregational. Another debate is over whether there is an office of "minister" or what Presbyterians would call a teaching elder. Poh Boon Sing has written about these things and others have pushed back.
Then there is the issue of open vs. closed Communion.

 

[Mr. Great-Heart]

This series of lectures may be a help to you.

Also available as a book.

 

[Ben Zartman]

Like one poster mentioned above, where each congregation lands as far as the ratio of congregational input to pastoral authoritarianism is something they have to work out for themselves. There is debate as to what "elder ruled" actually means in terms of authority and its limits, and if not clearly spelled out there can be astonishment on either side.
Some pastors want to say they are not accountable to the congregation, only to the other elders. My view is that since elders must be "blameless," surely that means blameless before the congregation in which they labor, which means both transparency and accountability.
There is also a debate within Baptist circles as to whether forming denominations is allowed/required. I believe Baptists should not form denominations, and have no patience for 'workarounds' like RB Net which are a de facto denomination while denying the same. There are those, however, who take the chapter of the LBCF which specifically forbids formal associations, and twist it to mean we must form associations.
Ridiculous.

 

[John Nyberg]

"A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which he intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons." (LBCF 26.8)

"Set apart by the Church" seems pretty clear considering the church is previously defined as an organization of "officers and members." Like Ben mentioned above, different bodies will balance that power between members and elders differently. At my church, the elder board is a high percentage of the over all congregation. There are three preaching elders, who rotate every Sunday, which provides a balanced exegesis which I really enjoy. (This has also allowed our church to supply the pulpit of other congregations from time to time). I am thankful for the multitude of elders at my church. It has fostered a very healthy and ordered environment. Praise God for his work in the local church!