Westminster Larger Catechism # 62
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q62. What is the visible Church?
Answer: The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places
of the world do profess the true religion, and of their children.
References: 1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 15:9-12; Rev. 7:9; Ps. 2:8; Ps. 22:27-31;
Mt. 28:19-20; Isa. 59:21; 1 Cor. 7:14; Rom. 11:16; Gen. 17:7.
There is essentially only one difference between the visible and invisible church; the
visible church may and in my humble opinion does have as members those who do not know the
Lord Jesus Christ. Whereas the invisible church consists only of the saints. Both
transcend all man made and or geographical boundaries, for there is but one church of God.
That this membership of the children of wrath exists is testified to by our Lord
Himself in the parable of the "Sower" in Matthew 13. What exactly constitutes a
"true" church and the professing of the "true religion" has caused
much division in the visible body over the years. Some of the reasons for division while
important to individual or groups of believers are in my opinion invalid reasons to
withhold fellowship and divide the church. Nonetheless, the best we can do as human beings
in the governance of the visible church is flawed by the flesh of her earthly leaders and
such division is going to be maintained and perhaps even increase.
While the parable of the Wheat and Tares would indicate we have not the means to
separate the wheat from the tares without harming the wheat, it is this that man has
sought to do in all the denominations that exist on the face of the earth. It is justified
by passages that call for believers to separate themselves from such that hold false
doctrine and teach the same. There is a delicate balance here and it is this mark of the
true church and believer we should prayerfully consider. There have been many complete
works given to this subject, so I will not rehash the whole issue, nor attempt to give a
definitive definition here. Rather, I want to give some general guidelines that the reader
may with prayer and spiritual discernment decide from whom they should withdraw
fellowship. That such a point exists I believe is clear from Scripture. However I think we
fail to exhibit the proper amount of tolerance for each other in the church, and the lines
of battle are too often drawn within our own family circle.
We can see the extreme of not separating tearing the church apart today over the
homosexual issue. I have read where supposed theologians said that the Bible was not
definite on this as being sin and the church must be inclusive. Hogwash, and I will go so
far as to say that any that can accept this are not of the church, but children of hell
itself. This by example is an issue that should not even be discussed in the church
courts. Scripture is clear that such is not of God and is more than passing error
(Ephesians 5:1-3). Paul in this epistle continues that even foolish talking and jest is
sin and we are to have no part of it (Eph. 5:7). Rather than fellowship we are to
"reprove" such ungodly things as children of light (Eph. 5:11). I believe
Ephesians 5:12 forbids the church ever considering the homosexual agenda, much less
accepting the same. Under such gross error a believer has no choice but separate
themselves from the church were such is accepted practice
.
Female elders is the next biggest issue separating the reformed church. Again without
the attempt to prove or disprove the issue, there has plenty been written by others, I
simply offer the solution that is acceptable to me. Only once in the Old Testament do we
see a woman as head of God’s people (Deborah). Nonetheless there was a time when God
chose a woman. Some maintain as punishment and shame to Israel rather than God’s
first choice. While indeed it may be a shame to the men that none of their rank was
acceptable to be chosen, God did choose the woman. In the New Testament we see Paul speak
of women and their service in the church. Most argue we can only prove he allowed women as
deaconesses. Silence never answered an argument. The truth is we don’t know the full
extent of the role of women in the apostolic church. However from the whole of Scripture
we can say that such calling of the female seems to have been the rare exception, and not
the tradition of the church. Without the full knowledge of the circumstance under which
God permitted Paul to write words that would seem to forbid women an office in the church,
I personally choose to reserve the right to permit women under some circumstances the
office of elder. There seems to be a bias in Scripture that renders either our
understanding of Scripture wrong or God has contradicted Himself. God didn’t do any
such thing, and therefore the error is with our understanding. The point of all this is
that of the two issues, one is crystal clear with not one word of Scared Text to indicate
otherwise. From such we must separate. The other, though weak at best, does leave room for
some doubt about a complete forbidding of the practice. That man (female) will take
advantage and move to an extreme when given any leeway is written in the journals of
history from the beginning of time. Thus in denominations that allow women office, it
seems it has always led to radical feminism and the upsetting of the natural order of
things. This is the fault of the created, not God. The big "T" still reigns
supreme among humankind.
Thus, of the big two I personally find one worthy of division (withholding of
fellowship) and one that I think we should tolerate, though with much care and prayer. In
my case I found a denomination that supports my view and where I feel God is present and
the Holy Spirit working. Each of us must make such a decision.
In this respect I find the need for several denominations, that we all might find this
place within the reformed community where we are within the Biblical guidelines, and not
trampling the clear teachings of Scripture. Nonetheless, the fellowship between
denominations is not what it should be with many issues that in my opinion are not
unbiblical causing the widest division, to the point churches are not in fellowship with
one another even within the reformed family. I believe the words of the Lord ring all too
true about harming the wheat by attempting to remove tares before the time of harvest.
Some who appear to be so godly and of the family are not, and will populate hell on that
great day to come (Mt. 7:21). This was true of the Old Testament, and New Testament, so
continues today. The one perfect rule of judging among men was given by Christ in Matthew
Seven also; "by their fruit you shall know them."
God is concerned with what is in the heart, not what proceeds from the tongue of man.
Nowhere in Scripture can you find the methods set down in minute detail. The so called
"Reformed Principle of Worship (RPW) aside. This rule simply stated says that if it
is not explicitly set down in Scripture as being proper worship, it is strange fire on
God’s altar and to be avoided. First I have no altar in my church, the final
sacrifice having been made there is no need for such. Second I refuse to have my Christian
liberty bound by silence. We are to worship God in truth and spirit. This is clear. The
time, place, method, etc. are not as clear as most are want they should be. To attempt to
read into Scripture and cause division in the Body of Christ is more sin than toleration,
awaiting the Lord and the holy angels to make the separation on the sure day of judgment.
Proverbs six and other places give us God’s feeling toward such as would sow division
without cause among the brethren. This is an area we should tread ever so gently, less we
fall into a greater sin than those who hold what we consider doctrinally unsound. There
are causes for division, of complete withdrawal of fellowship. However, we must temper
judgment with charity, less we fall into the greater fault of pride.
Listen not to this nor any other commentator on the Holy Bible. Pick up that sacred
book and read for yourself what it says. I have full confidence in God’s promise that
the Holy Spirit will lead you to all truth. This has been one of the biggest battles in my
spiritual life. God’s promise of leading all believers to all truth is firm. Yet, I
find those that to the best of my human abilities appear to be children of light differing
on some issues. When the fruit within the life of the person is good, then I must believe
that God’s truth is perhaps larger than my conception of it, and perhaps both sides
have an element of truth on their side. With the Bible as your anchor, in much prayer let
the Holy Spirit place you in the church family where you belong. All children of light do
belong in a local congregation (part of the visible church). The church was founded by
Christ, not man, and to deny the necessity of belonging is the same as calling Jesus
Christ a liar in my opinion. Among men the divisions and labeling of each other will
continue until our Lord returns. That aside, God has a place for you in this visible body,
seek it out. Meantime, love one another!
Dr. Chuck Baynard -- July 1998
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