170 – Erring Churches

ERRING CHURCHES

  § 170. Since an erring church, or a church contaminated with erroneous doctrine, is still a church 1 as long as it has and sets into operation the essentials of the Gospel,2 the ministers called by such church are still ministers of Christ and of the Church of God, 3 and their official acts are valid as far as their performance is an administration of the means of grace.4

1. Since an erring church, or a church contaminated with erroneous doctrine, is still a church 1 as long as it has and sets into operation the essentials of the Gospel,…

  Galatians 1:2 compare with Galatians 3:1; 4:10,11; Galatians 5:4,9:—

  Galatians 1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia.

  Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

  Galatians 4:10,11 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.

  Galatians 5:4,9 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law; ye are fallen from grace. (9) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

2. …as long as it has and sets into operation the essentials of the Gospel

Cf. § 159.

3. …the ministers called by such church are still ministers of Christ and of the Church of God,

  Revelation 3:1-3 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

  Revelation 3:14-18 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

4. …and their official acts are valid as far as their performance is an administration of the means of grace.

Cf. § 169.