Belgic Confession, Article 30: The Government of the Church
This article from the Belgic Confession outlines the scriptural structure for church governance, emphasizing the roles of ministers, elders, and deacons in preserving doctrine, administering the sacraments, and caring for the afflicted. It provides the foundational Reformed perspective on ecclesiastical polity and the qualifications for church office according to apostolic standards.
Article 30: The Government of the Church We believe that this true church ought to be governed according to the spiritual order that our Lord has taught us in his Word.There should be ministers or pastorsto preach the Word of God and administer the sacraments.There should also be elders and deacons,along with the pastors, to make up the council of the church.By this means true religion is preserved; true doctrine is able to take its course; and evil people are corrected spiritually and held in...