Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (first printing) (1677), Elders and brethren of the Particular Baptist churches in London and the country · PDF

Paragraph 26.9

Chapter 26: Of the Church

The way appointed by Christ for the Calling of any person, fitted, and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the Office of Bishop, or Elder, in a Church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the Church it self; and Solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer, with imposition of hands of thea*1 Eldership of the Church, if there be any before Constituted therein; And of a Deaconb that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by Prayer, and the like Imposition of hands.c

  1. a. Acts 14:23

    Acts 14:23

    14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

    14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. 1 Timothy 4:14

    1 Timothy 4:14

    4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

    4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Acts 6:3, 5–6

    Acts 6:3; Acts 6:5–6

    6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

    6:3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them 6:5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6:6 They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  1. *1 See the original.
Diff style

Changes from Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658), Paragraph 33.11

Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658), Paragraph 33.11

The way appointed by Christ for the Calling of any person, fitted, and gifted by the Holy Ghost, Spirit, unto the Office of Pastor, Teacher Bishop, or Elder, in a Church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the Church it self; and Solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer, with imposition of hands of the Eldership of that the Church, if there be any before Constituted therein; And of a Deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by Prayer, and the like Imposition of hands.

Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658), Paragraph 33.11

The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the holy Ghost, unto the Office of Pastor, Teacher or Elder in a Church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the Church it self, and solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer, with Imposition of Hands of the Eldership of that Church, if there be any before constituted therein: And of a Deacon, that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by Prayer, and the like Imposition of Hands.

Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (first printing) (1677), Paragraph 26.9

The way appointed by Christ for the Calling of any person, fitted, and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the Office of Bishop, or Elder, in a Church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the Church it self; and Solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer, with imposition of hands of the Eldership of the Church, if there be any before Constituted therein; And of a Deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by Prayer, and the like Imposition of hands.

Changes in Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689), Paragraph 26.9

No change, but in spelling and punctuation.

Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689), Paragraph 26.9

The way appointed by Christ for the Calling of any Person, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the Office of Bishop, or Elder, in a Church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the Church itself; and solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer, with Imposition of Hands of the Eldership of the Church, if there be any before Constituted therein: And of a Deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by Prayer, and the like Imposition of Hands.

Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (first printing) (1677), Paragraph 26.9

The way appointed by Christ for the Calling of any person, fitted, and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the Office of Bishop, or Elder, in a Church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the Church it self; and Solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer, with imposition of hands of the Eldership of the Church, if there be any before Constituted therein; And of a Deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by Prayer, and the like Imposition of hands.

Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689), Paragraph 26.9

The way appointed by Christ for the Calling of any Person, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the Office of Bishop, or Elder, in a Church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the Church itself; and solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer, with Imposition of Hands of the Eldership of the Church, if there be any before Constituted therein: And of a Deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by Prayer, and the like Imposition of Hands.