What the Church will do?
In regard to church organizations, it has been shown that there are two diverse principles on which these organizations may be perpetuated. The first is the Augustinian, in which the principle of union is a supposed change of the nature transmitted from Adam, [pg 351] enabling a man to perform truly virtuous acts, as none ever do who are not thus re-created. The second is that of common sense, in which the principle of union is the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Lord and Master, and the purpose to obey him in all things; or, in the words of the Episcopal formula, “a church is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure word is preached and the sacraments duly administered according to Christ's ordinances.” This definition, in order to represent the common-sense view, assumes that “faithful men” are persons who believe in Christ's authority, as the Lord of all, and who purpose to obey him.
It has been also shown, in a previous chapter, that the church organizations based on the Augustinian theory, are gradually modifying their practice so as more and more to recognize the common-sense principle.
It is believed that this process of quiet change is to be greatly accelerated by discussion. The people are not aware that the mode of church organization and discipline now most prevalent is an innovation, which has existed less than two centuries, and chiefly in this country, and that there can be found no authority for it, either in the Bible or church history. The word “church,” as used in the New Testament, in the original Greek means congregation, and includes all who unite in one assembly to worship.
No case can be found in the Bible of any such organization as corresponds with that which is now called by the name of “church,” as distinct from the “congregation.”
These being facts, the whole matter of church organization [pg 352] and discipline is soon to become a matter of general discussion, the result of which, of course, can not be predicted in any details. But it is certain that the more discussion there is, the more the common-sense system will become dominant. And it is certain that the portion of the people connected with churches will more and more demand discussion. They will assume that their pastors are not to be their authoritative, dogmatic teachers; but their leaders in worship and ordinances; their presiding officers in discussions, and the administers of much of that kind of knowledge needed by the people, to enable them to act independently in interpreting the Bible for themselves.