Chap. XXVI. — Of Particular Churches.
Q. 1. What are particular churches?
A. Peculiar ^aassemblies1 2 of professors in one place, ^bunder officers of Christ’s institution, ^cenjoying the ordinances of God, ^dand leading lives beseeming their holy calling. ^aActs xi. 26; 1 Cor. iv. 17, xi. 22; 2 Cor. i. 1. ^bActs xx. 17, 28, xiv. 23; 2 Cor. viii. 23; Heb. xiii. 17. ^c1 Cor. iii. 5; Rev. ii. 1–3. ^d2 Thess. iii. 5, 6, 11; Gal. vi. 16; Phil. iii. 17; 1 Thess. ii. 12.
Q. 2. What are the ordinary officers of such churches?
A. First, 3pastors or doctors,4 to teach and exhort; secondly, 5elders, to assist in rule and government; thirdly, 6deacons, to provide for the poor.
Q. 3. What is required of these officers, especially the chiefest, or ministers?
A. ^aThat they be faithful in the ministry committed unto them; ^bsedulous in dispensing the Word; ^cwatching for the good of the souls committed to them; ^dgoing before them in an example of all godliness and holiness of life. ^a1 Cor. iv. 2; Acts xx. 18–20. ^b2 Tim. ii. 15, iv. 1–5. ^cTit. i. 13; 1 Tim. iv. 15, 16. ^dTit. ii. 7; 1 Tim. iv. 12; Matt. v. 16; Acts xxiv. 16.
Q. 4. What is required in the people unto them?
A. Obedience ^ato their message and ministry; ^bhonour and love to their persons; ^cmaintenance to them and their families. ^a2 Cor. v. 20; Rom. vi. 17; Heb. xiii. 17; 2 Thess. iii. 14; Rom. xvi. 19; 2 Cor. x. 4–6. ^b1 Cor. iv. 1; Gal. iv. 14; 1 Tim. v. 17, 18. ^cLuke x. 7; James v. 4; 1 Tim. v. 17, 18; 1 Cor. ix. 9–13.
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