Westminster Larger Catechism # 63
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q63. What are the special privileges of the visible church?
Answer: The visible church has the privilege of being under God’s special care and
government; of being protected and preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition
of all enemies; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation,
and offers of grace by Christ to all members of it in the ministry of the gospel,
testifying that whosoever believes in him shall be saved, and excluding none that will
come to him.
References: Ps. 115:2,9; Isa. 31:4-5; Zech. 12:2-4,8,9; Acts 2:39,42; Ps. 147:19-20;
Rom. 9:4; Eph. 4:11-12; Mark 16:15-16
There is a protection that comes from being in the church, even for non-believers.
Though pragmatic and of experience I believe we have all seen this in our local churches,
whereby a person or family begins attending church and there is a tangible improvement in
their lives and circumstances. Yet, they soon fall away and return to their old ways and
circumstances. I personally think what we are seeing is God’s grace (singular) toward
His children overflow into the lives of those close by. Then I believe God blesses those
who obey His word, whether they are of the covenant or not.
As noted earlier I don’t recognize the so called "common grace" as
opposed to special or particular grace. Herein is my reasoning for this position, in that
God’s blessings (grace) are bestowed upon the elect, God chooses the natural world He
created for this bestowal and without constant supernatural intervention, the blessing of
one will always have an affect upon others. Two passages come to mind here: Matthew 5:45
"...sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." If we consider a righteous
farmer in need of rain, God could cause a particular shaped cloud to appear over just that
farmer’s fields. However, God will not normally operate in this fashion, but bring
rain to the whole geographical area around that farmer. God has not shown grace to the
whole area as such, but blessed His own, and the benefit is enjoyed by just and unjust
alike. We see the reverse where because of curse, God makes special provision for the
believer caught in His wrath. The best known example is perhaps Elijah beside the brook
and later in the widow’s house. In Matthew 15:22ff we see this same principle, but in
this case more focused on overt blessing (grace) as this woman correctly observes,
"dogs" are permitted to eat of the scraps that fall from the master’s
table.
Thus the Divines point out the church is under God’s special care and government.
I would rather use the word "personal" here. I think this is where the idea of
God having two kinds of grace, special and common has its roots. While the Divines rightly
point to the primary function of the church in evangelism, and that God has put into the
hands of the church the keys to the kingdom in the effective use of the Gospel, I think
they were less precise in the inclusion of the result of this gift to the church, with not
enough emphasis on whom "will" come, with regards to salvation. These are the
verses used by those who would place the choice in the hands of man and negate the
election. Properly understood, they are not contrary to the TULIP, but rather add light so
all may see this glorious flower of God. However, the extra care should be taken when
using these verses less we propagate error rather than truth.
History has shown that indeed God has maintained His remnant, and preserved the true
church in all ages. However lest we prepare believers for failure and harm their
testimony, we should carefully explain that often in the providence of God this
preservation and protection has not, and in my opinion will not at times include the
physical protection of the church (buildings, properties etc) or her members. The church
has withstood the opposition of all enemies, but often at great cost in material things
and the lives of the saints. God can and at times does intercede for the church and saints
in a supernatural way, placing His hand between them and harm, and by His providential
care, bringing about miracles in more natural ways. But, lest we teach error, that the
destruction of a church or the persecution of the saints therein, does not mean the
removal of God’s blessing, but perhaps the greatest bestowal of blessing, as mere
mortals are allowed to enter glory for the testimony of Christ. God’s eternal plan
often has included the suffering of His people for a season. Thus the outward appearance
of the victory of evil is used of God for Good. The story of Joseph being one such example
of God’s providential preparation, in the suffering of one part of the church, for
the greater good to the whole later.
The communion of the saints is perhaps one of the most unknown or misunderstood phrases
in the confessions. We see the "Apostle’s Creed" use the same words,
"I believe in the communion of saints..." Calvin writes in the Institutes:
"3. Moreover, this article of the Creed relates in some measure to the external
Church, that everyone of us must maintain brotherly concord with all the children of God,
give due authority to the Church, and, in short, conduct ourselves as sheep of the flock.
And hence the additional expression, the "communion of saints;" for this clause,
though usually omitted by ancient writers, must not be overlooked, as it admirably
expresses the quality of the Church, just as if it had been said, that saints are united
in the fellowship of Christ on this condition, that all the blessings which God bestows
upon them are mutually communicated to each other."
Thus we don’t have a mystical union with the dead, but the ability through the
same mind of Christ to reach the same conclusions concerning the Gospel of truth in all
ages. It is thus we can turn to the forefathers of our faith for guidance in obscure
doctrines or confusing times. The church has access to the mind of Christ. Though mystical
in nature, the inter-relatedness of the visible and invisible church is through the
indwelling Spirit who leads us to all truth. For this reason, though "secondary
standards" the early confessions and creeds are not to be tossed aside lightly. Yes,
the Bible is the only guide to our faith and life, and to be relied upon, but these creeds
reflect this mind of Christ in that age. Where the error of man has not entered, the
creeds will stand, for Christ does not change.
Last but far from least in this day to me is the fact that Christ Himself founded the
church and continues as her head. Thus, all believers belong in a church. Even in the days
of the apostles we find the trend in place so that the writer of Hebrews wrote, do not
forbid the assembling of yourself together as is the manner of some. The Reformed church
has split time and time again, until she would hardly be recognized by her founders. In
this process of division many become disenchanted with the "organized" church,
and become separated from all visible bodies of the church. Often beginning their own
independent church or ministry in the process. The confessions were an attempt to explain
what we believe the Bible teaches. Error if it exists can be changed, but they should not
lead to the division in the body they have through the years. The communion of the saints
exists and is testified to in the tradition of the true church and its teachings.
Dr. Chuck Baynard July 1998
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