Romans 15:5-7 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:… I. THE REASONABLENESS OF THIS PRACTICE, whereby it will appear to be the duty of those who profess the religion of Christ to agree together, and form themselves into particular societies. 1. Without such an agreement to unite together in the practice of Christianity, there can be no such thing as public worship regularly maintained among Christians, nor public honours paid to God in the name of Jesus. 2. Without an agreement to keep up such societies for worship, the doctrines of Christ and His gospel could not be so constantly and extensively held forth to the world, and there would be no rational hope of the continuance or increase of Christianity among men. II. THE ADVANTAGES OF SUCH AN AGREEMENT FOR CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. 1. It gives courage to every Christian to profess and practise his religion when many persons are engaged by mutual agreement in the same profession and practice. 2. It is more for the particular edification of Christians that such societies should be .formed, where the Word of Christ is constantly preached, where the ordinances of Christ are administered, and the religion of Christ is held forth in a social and honourable manner to the world. 3. Such a holy fellowship and agreement to walk together in the ways of Christ is a happy guard against backsliding and apostacy, it is a defence against the temptations of the world and the defilements of a sinful age. 4. Christians thus united together by mutual acquaintance and agreement can give each other better assistance in everything that relates to religion, whether public or private. III. THE PERSONS WHO SHOULD THUS RECEIVE ONE ANOTHER IN THE LORD, OR JOIN TOGETHER IN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. All that Christ has receipted to partake of His salvation (Romans 14:1-3, 17, 18). This is the general rule: but it must be; confessed that there are some Christians whose sentiments are so directly contrary to others in matters of discipline or doctrine, that it is hardly possible they should unite in public worship. But let every person take heed that he does not too much enlarge, nor too much narrow the principles of Christianity, that he does not make any article of faith or practice more or less necessary than Scripture has made it, and that he does not raise needless scruples in his own breast, nor in the hearts of others, by too great a separation from such as our common Lord has received. IV. THE DUTIES WHICH PLAINLY ARISE FROM SUCH AN AGREEMENT OF CHRISTIANS TO WALK AND WORSHIP TOGETHER FOR THE SUPPORT OF THEIR RELIGION. 1. All the duties which the disciples of Christ owe to their fellow Christians throughout; the world are more particularly incumbent upon those who are united by their own consent in the same religious society (Galatians 6:10). 2. Those who are united by such an agreement ought to attend on the public assemblies and ministrations of that Church, where it can be done with reasonable convenience; for we have joined ourselves in society for this very purpose. 3. It is the duty cf persons thus united to maintain their Church or society by receiving in new members amongst them by a general consent. 4. In order to keep the Church pure from sin and scandal, they should separate themselves from those that walk disorderly, who are guilty of gross and known sins (2 Thessalonians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 5:4, 5, 7, 11, 13). 5. It is necessary that officers be chosen by the Church to fulfil several offices in it and for it. 6. It is the duty of those whose circumstances will afford it, to contribute of their earthly substance toward the common expenses of the society. And each one should give according to his ability: this is but a piece of common justice. 7. Everything of Church affairs ought to be managed with decency and order, with harmony and peace (1 Corinthians 14:40; 1 Corinthians 16:14). V. REFLECTIONS. 1. How beautiful is the order of the gospel and the fellowship of a Christian Church. How strong and plain are the foundations and the ground of it. It is built on eternal reason and the relations of things, as well as on the Word of God. 2. How little do they value the true interests of Christian religion, the public honour of Christ and His gospel, or the edification and comfort of their own souls, who neglect this holy communion. 3. How criminal are those persons who break the beautiful order and harmony of a Church of Christ for trifles. 4. When we behold a society of Christians flourishing in holiness, and honourably maintaining the beauty of this sacred fellowship, let us raise our thoughts to the heavenly world, to the Church of the first-born, who are assembled on high, where everlasting beauty, order, peace, and holiness are maintained in the presence of Jesus our common Lord. And when we meet with little inconveniences, uneasiness, and contest, in any Church of Christ on earth, let us point our thoughts and our hopes still upward to that Divine fellowship of the saints and the spirits of the just made perfect, where contention and disorder have no place. (I. Watts, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: |
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