Of the Church

Chapter 26 confesses the doctrine of the church — both the universal church (catholic in the historic sense: the body of Christ in all places and all times) and the visible local church (a particular congregation of saints, meeting in one place for worship, fellowship, the ordinances, and discipline).

The chapter affirms regenerate church membership: the visible church consists only of those who make a credible profession of faith. It affirms a plurality of qualified elders and deacons. It affirms the autonomy and inter-association of local churches.

See our article on plurality of elders and our Our Leaders page for how this works in practice at Pray’s Mill.

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For the full text of this chapter with scripture proofs, see the1689confession.com or Founders Ministries.