No Church-members upon any offence taken by them, having performed their Duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any Church order, or absent themselves from the Assemblies of the Church, or Administration of any Ordinances, upon the account of such offence at any of their fellowmembers; but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the Church.a
a. Matthew 18:15–17; Ephesians 4:2–3
Matthew 18:15–17
18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Ephesians 4:2–3
4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 4:3 and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible
Changes from Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658), Paragraph 33.21
This being the way prescribed by Christ in case of offence, No Church-members upon any offences offence taken by them, having performed their Duty required of them in this matter, towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any Church-order, Church order, or absent themselves from the publique Assemblies or of the Church, or Administration of any Ordinances, upon that pretence, the account of such offence at any of their fellowmembers; but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the Church.
This being the way prescribed by Christ in case of offence, no Church-members upon any offences taken by them, having performed their duty required of them in this matter, ought to disturb any Church-order, or absent themselves from the publique Assemblies, or the Administration of any Ordinances upon that pretence, but to wait upon Christ in the further proceeding of the Church.
Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (first printing) (1677), Paragraph 26.13
No Church-members upon any offence taken by them, having performed their Duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any Church order, or absent themselves from the Assemblies of the Church, or Administration of any Ordinances, upon the account of such offence at any of their fellowmembers; but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the Church.
Changes in Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689), Paragraph 26.13
No Church-members, upon any offence taken by them, having performed their Duty required of them towards the Person they are offended at, ought to disturb any Church order, or absent themselves from the Assemblies of the Church, or Administration of any Ordinances, upon the Account of such offence at any of their fellow-members, but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the Church.
Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (first printing) (1677), Paragraph 26.13
No Church-members upon any offence taken by them, having performed their Duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any Church order, or absent themselves from the Assemblies of the Church, or Administration of any Ordinances, upon the account of such offence at any of their fellowmembers; but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the Church.
No Church-members, upon any offence taken by them, having performed their Duty required of them towards the Person they are offended at, ought to disturb any Church order, or absent themselves from the Assemblies of the Church, or Administration of any Ordinances, upon the Account of such offence at any of their fellow-members, but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the Church.
