Dr. Ridderbos and Article 79 Once More

Statements occur in my previous writing (under the caption: Dr. Ridderbos and the 800 Zeros), that I wish further to explain, that there may be no misunderstanding. I wrote, "Power in the church is either mandatory or advisory. A third kind of power there is not. And by power I mean right (authority) to command or advice." And this also, "An elder in the church has mandatory power over the congregation as the vicar of Christ." Now certainly it is only the Word of Christ that commands the...