THE SECOND COMMANDMENT

Years ago I came across some Reformational teaching on what constitutes the hallmarks of a true church. As I researched the topic, I began to realize how far short my church home at that time really was and was becoming. The hallmarks include:

1. A primary concern for true and certain doctrine which honestly reflects the faith once given to the saints in the biblical revelation.
2. A secondary concern for the right administration and understanding of the sacraments of the church.
3. And lastly a commitment to maintaining biblical discipline and discipleship within the local church.

Far too many people, I have observed in my lifetime, have become extremists in either knowing or living the precious law and regulations revealed in the Scriptures and passed down by the Apostles, Fathers and Doctors of Christ's Church. There are far too many reformed and evangelical leaders who take a hard edge in regard to their own particular understanding of specific doctrines and fail to allow any brethren the necessary freedom of conscience to disagree with their wisdom. I am reminded of current phrases and concepts that echo across the internet, second reformation, R.O.S.E.S and various brands of hypercalvinism and theonomy which some groups take greater pride in than the fact that Christ died for them.

One doesn't have to read very far to appreciate how great indeed is the grace and mercy of our Lord that we can be saved in spite of our petty applications of the grace received and mercy shown. Too often in our study of the second commandment we disparage and condemn the willowy brethren who know not a facet of worship or nuance of doctrine which they are all to willing to throw out if it means an extra ten per cent increase in attendance. Rightly are they deserving of condemnation for building a more worldly church then they ought to do. But, we have to remember that each in our own way, we will fall short of the second commandment that our catechism encourages us to receive, observe and keep.

Looking back at our text this morning we see in Paul's concluding instruction to Timothy that far and above the specific details of how to handle each and every churchly distraction, there is a real calling to pursue righteousness, godliness and every other virtue set before us in Scripture. In addition, he is admonished to take hold of the eternal life to which he was called when he confessed his faith and pastoral calling before the members of Christ's Church. This life in the Spirit is often disparaged and downplayed in comparison to knowing and living the faith once given to the saints. Yes, just like Paul who was born and raised a Hebrew of Hebrews, we do indeed love the teachings of faith which bring us to Jesus Christ.

I do not think that there are many PCA pastors with a better genealogy and Covenant background in Presbyterianism than I have, but as I have told you several times, the Reformed Orthodoxy has only been good for me in that it was the means by which I came to Christ. I cannot and neither can you or any other Reformer allow that system of doctrine to be worshiped in place of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In like manner too many of our fundamentalist and liturgical brethren take too seriously the form, purpose and function of the Christian sacraments, which in their own way become idols loved more than the Christ who instituted them. Every attempt to discredit the baptism of another Christian church because the one being baptized wasn't dunked forward, backwards, upside down or below the surface of the water is a failure to fully appreciate the true spiritual nature of the sacrament. Baptism is a sign and seal of being set apart for Covenant consideration on the part of the parents, extended family and church. There is not in the form or fact of water baptism any guarantee of salvation.

Over the years I have often been pained by the intransigent positions of baptismal lovers who do not see the grace of Christ intended. Certainly we encourage newer families in our Reformed congregations to convey the Covenantal sign and seal to their children. But, where the children are of an age to have some minimal understanding of what is happening, it is far better to wait until an appropriate age for them to request that baptism by their own decision. And it is patently ridiculous for any church body to fail to consider where the parents or children are in their experience, calling and circumstance. Very many people are crossing denominational lines to seek Christ and Him crucified, let us make certain that they have Him before we begin to challenge their understanding of Covenantal theology.

While the focus of baptism must fall first on parents and then on individuals, our practice and understanding of communion must take children and parents in reverse order. Too many advocates presume that being baptized into a Covenant family is the only necessity for receiving the communion elements. Without going into great detail this morning, I do believe that we must realize that whereas baptism must finally be confirmed in the life of our children by their joining a Church, so also we must understand that the high experience of communion must also be discerned by the child after they have made their decision. There is indeed a subtle difference between the sacraments, one is done in anticipation of what the parents and Christian community hope will happen and the other an affirmation of what has finally happened. It is a wise session that is able to discern the whole of scriptural and spiritual implications in their administration of the sacraments.

The same wisdom is necessary when it comes to handling the keys of the Kingdom. By that ancient phrase I mean the sometimes necessary expulsion of certain wicked men who would corrupt the Church of Christ. Any Church that has no discipline is an organization that is on the way of unbecoming a true church. Sadly, in our century, excommunication from the larger denominations has been aimed more at orthodox believers than at the unorthodox.

Dr Machen early in this century is a primary example where a God fearing theologian was put out of the church for upholding biblical doctrines. In like manner a certain Reformed body is cleaning house of clergy who fail to see the worldly new age wisdom of including females in positions of authority. When I was up for ordination in the seventies in another denomination, I kept quiet about that issue because I did not fully comprehend the danger that is poised. At this point in time I can readily appreciate where that unbiblical practice has lead. Nevertheless, I was denied ordination because of my commitment to biblical inerrancy and the necessity for creedal responsibility.

Now that the conservatives who were sent packing have their own denominations, the use of the Keys of the Kingdom are in our hands and for our use we will at long last be held accountable. It is entirely possible for a court of the church (Assembly, Presbytery and Session) to make mistakes in application. Every year I read about the judicial proceedings at the General Assembly level and am amazed at how much I learn from those cases to be very cautious.

Contrary to the expectations of some of my denominational brethren I do not believe that every person who chooses to leave our congregation deserves excommunication because, a hasty and unwarranted excommunication can do more to prevent that person's return to Christ than anything else. Everyone must remember that the final act of discipline is a "GO TO HELL" clause! Such a decision on the part of a session should be extraordinary, and reserved for special cases of intransigence, heresy, ignorance and stupidity!

As you all know, over the years families who we thought were in the process of becoming part of this congregation have suddenly disappeared. Please believe me in practically every case those who chose do go elsewhere did so by their own conscience choice except maybe two. Once I told a person who was upset that we preached about sin, that there really were places where he could receive a much warmer welcome! And I suspect that another person of mental feebleness was invited to harass another church. In all cases your session has acted carefully and respectfully.

Far too often we find a couple where only one party really sincerely appreciates and wants the Reformed theology that we offer. In those cases where continued fellowship with us could weaken the marriage we do encourage the Reformed partner to be patient while the other grows in grace and understanding. In those cases where a spiritual family division has already happened in the past, we allow the interested party to join and participate in our fellowship. Real discipline cases are providentially rare and we certainly do everything in our power to head off problems before they become serious if we are able.

One of the great pleasures that our session has enjoyed over the years is that very many visitors here do indeed find their way into other Reformed bodies where they can grow in grace and knowledge. Sometimes, our poor attempts to be a true church are seen as too steep for those who have just discovered the richness of our understanding. Our radio ads in particular have brought in many wine tasters as I would see them. They have heard RC Sproul on WRFD and are curious. Usually they have not fully comprehended where he and we are coming from and they need some time to acquire a real taste for the wonderful richness of the very doctrines that we love.