Page:Short illustration of the commission given by Jesus Christ to his apostles.pdf/19

 commandments of Christ, which cannot be observed in a mixed communion with the world; such as his new commandment of brotherly love, the ordinances of his house, the faithful and impartial exercise of its discipline; and in order to their observing all things whatsoever he hath commanded, they must be united together in a visible church state.

The word, signifies any kind of assembly or congregation; but when used in a religious sense it signifies the whole body of the redeemed, whether in heaven or in earth, and is that church for which Christ gave himself. At present it is invisible to us, and will not appear until Christ’s second coming. It is to the visible members of this church that baptism belongs.

The word also signifies a particular congregation of visible believers, with its bishops (i.e elders) and deacons, regularly assembling in one place, for the performance of religious worship, and the observation of Christ’s institutions. — It signifies a : such was the church at Jerusalem, Antioch, &c. — Each of these societies were composed of or such as by their profession and walk appeared to be saints and faithful. It had a plurality of or  to rule and labour in the word and doctrine; and also of  to take care of the poor and serve tables — It regularly assembled in one PLACE.