Blog https://www.christthekingpsl.com Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:35:39 -0400 https://www.churchplantmedia.com/ Duties of Christian Fellowship https://www.christthekingpsl.com/blog/post/duties-of-christian-fellowship https://www.christthekingpsl.com/blog/post/duties-of-christian-fellowship#comments Tue, 29 Jul 2025 10:35:06 -0400 https://www.christthekingpsl.com/blog/post/duties-of-christian-fellowship Listed below are 15 rules for walking in fellowship with respect to other believers, cited from John Owen's Duties of Christian Fellowship: A Manual for Church Members.

  1. Believers have a duty of affectionate, sincere, genuine love in all things towards one another; a love compared to that of Christ for the church (John 15:12; 13:34-35; Romans 13:8; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 4:21; Romans 12:10).
  2. Believers must maintain continual prayer for the prospering of the church under God's protection (Psalm 122:6; Philippians 1:4-5; Romans 1:9-10; Acts 12:5; Isaiah 62:6-7; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:12).
  3. Believers must strive and fight with determination, in every legitimate way, by their actions and sufferings, for the purity of the ordinances, for the honour, liberty and privileges of the congregation, and in order to help others in the face of all opponents and adversaries (Jude 3; Hebrews 12:3-4; 1 John 3:16; Galatians 5:1, 13; 1 Corinthians 7:23; 1 Peter 3:15).
  4. Believers must maintain an unremitting care and effort to preserve unity, both in general and in particular (Philippians 2:1-3; Ephesians 4:3-6; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Romans 14:19; 15:5-6; 1 Corinthians 6:5-7; Acts 4:32).
  5. Believers are to separate and keep apart from the world, and from the men of the world in all their ways of false worship, so that we are seen to be a different people (Numbers 23:9; John 15:19; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:8, 11; 2 Timothy 3:5; Hosea 4:15; Revelation 18:4; Proverbs 14:7).
  6. Believers should engage in frequent spiritual conversation for edification, according to the measure of their gifts (Malachi 3:16; Job 2:11; Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 5:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13; Jude 20; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 18:26; 1 Corinthians 12:7).
  7. Believers must bear with one another's infirmities, weaknesses, sensitivities and failings, in meekness, patience and pity, and providing help and assistance (Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 18:21-22; Mark 11:25-26; Romans 14:13; 15:1-12; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Galatians 6:1; Colossians 3:12-14).
  8. Believers must support one another, tenderly and affectionately, in their various circumstances and conditions—bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 13:3; 1 Corinthians 12:25-26; 2 Corinthians 11:29; James 1:27; Matthew 25:35-36, 40; 2 Timothy 1:16-17; Acts 20:35).
  9. Believers are voluntarily to contribute and share in temporal things with those who are truly poor, in a way that is suitable to their necessities, wants and afflictions (1 John 3:17-18; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:5-7; Romans 12:13; Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Hebrews 13:16; Leviticus 23:35; Matthew 25:34-36, 40).
  10. Believers ought to note watchfully and avoid carefully all cause and causers of divisions; they are particularly to shun seducers, false teachers and those who spread heresies and errors that are contrary to the word of God (Romans 16:17-18; Matthew 24:4-5, 23-25; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:16-17; Titus 3:9-11; 1 John 2:18-19; 4:1; 2 John 10-11; Acts 20:29-31; Revelation 2:14-16).
  11. Believers should cheerfully accept the lot and portion of the whole church, in prosperity and affliction, and not draw back for any reason whatever (Matthew 13:20-21; Hebrews 10:23-25, 32-39; 2 Timothy 4:10, 16).
  12. In church affairs, believers must not discriminate between person but condescend to the weakest brother and perform the least service, for the good of fellow-believers (James 2:1-6; Matthew 20:26-27; Romans 12:16; John 13:12-16).
  13. If any member is in distress, persecution, or affliction, the whole church is to be humbled, and to be earnest in prayer on his behalf (Acts 12:5, 7, 12; Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 12:26-27; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).
  14. Believers must watch one another's behaviour carefully and warn one another to avoid all disorderly conduct. If any offending member will not accept such warning their case must be brought to the church (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24-25; 12:13, 15-16; Leviticus 19:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:15; Romans 15:14; James 5:19-20; Proverbs 29:1).
  15. Believers should live and walk in an exemplary way in all holiness and godliness, to the glory of the gospel, the edification of the church, and the conviction of those outside the church (Psalm 24:3-4; Matthew 5:16, 20; 21:19; 2 Timothy 2:19; Titus 2:11-14; Ephesians 4:21-23; 1 Peter 3:1-2; Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:15-16; 2 Samuel 12:14).

duties-cover__77537

]]> Listed below are 15 rules for walking in fellowship with respect to other believers, cited from John Owen's Duties of Christian Fellowship: A Manual for Church Members.

  1. Believers have a duty of affectionate, sincere, genuine love in all things towards one another; a love compared to that of Christ for the church (John 15:12; 13:34-35; Romans 13:8; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 4:21; Romans 12:10).
  2. Believers must maintain continual prayer for the prospering of the church under God's protection (Psalm 122:6; Philippians 1:4-5; Romans 1:9-10; Acts 12:5; Isaiah 62:6-7; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:12).
  3. Believers must strive and fight with determination, in every legitimate way, by their actions and sufferings, for the purity of the ordinances, for the honour, liberty and privileges of the congregation, and in order to help others in the face of all opponents and adversaries (Jude 3; Hebrews 12:3-4; 1 John 3:16; Galatians 5:1, 13; 1 Corinthians 7:23; 1 Peter 3:15).
  4. Believers must maintain an unremitting care and effort to preserve unity, both in general and in particular (Philippians 2:1-3; Ephesians 4:3-6; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Romans 14:19; 15:5-6; 1 Corinthians 6:5-7; Acts 4:32).
  5. Believers are to separate and keep apart from the world, and from the men of the world in all their ways of false worship, so that we are seen to be a different people (Numbers 23:9; John 15:19; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:8, 11; 2 Timothy 3:5; Hosea 4:15; Revelation 18:4; Proverbs 14:7).
  6. Believers should engage in frequent spiritual conversation for edification, according to the measure of their gifts (Malachi 3:16; Job 2:11; Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 5:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13; Jude 20; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 18:26; 1 Corinthians 12:7).
  7. Believers must bear with one another's infirmities, weaknesses, sensitivities and failings, in meekness, patience and pity, and providing help and assistance (Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 18:21-22; Mark 11:25-26; Romans 14:13; 15:1-12; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Galatians 6:1; Colossians 3:12-14).
  8. Believers must support one another, tenderly and affectionately, in their various circumstances and conditions—bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 13:3; 1 Corinthians 12:25-26; 2 Corinthians 11:29; James 1:27; Matthew 25:35-36, 40; 2 Timothy 1:16-17; Acts 20:35).
  9. Believers are voluntarily to contribute and share in temporal things with those who are truly poor, in a way that is suitable to their necessities, wants and afflictions (1 John 3:17-18; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:5-7; Romans 12:13; Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Hebrews 13:16; Leviticus 23:35; Matthew 25:34-36, 40).
  10. Believers ought to note watchfully and avoid carefully all cause and causers of divisions; they are particularly to shun seducers, false teachers and those who spread heresies and errors that are contrary to the word of God (Romans 16:17-18; Matthew 24:4-5, 23-25; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:16-17; Titus 3:9-11; 1 John 2:18-19; 4:1; 2 John 10-11; Acts 20:29-31; Revelation 2:14-16).
  11. Believers should cheerfully accept the lot and portion of the whole church, in prosperity and affliction, and not draw back for any reason whatever (Matthew 13:20-21; Hebrews 10:23-25, 32-39; 2 Timothy 4:10, 16).
  12. In church affairs, believers must not discriminate between person but condescend to the weakest brother and perform the least service, for the good of fellow-believers (James 2:1-6; Matthew 20:26-27; Romans 12:16; John 13:12-16).
  13. If any member is in distress, persecution, or affliction, the whole church is to be humbled, and to be earnest in prayer on his behalf (Acts 12:5, 7, 12; Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 12:26-27; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).
  14. Believers must watch one another's behaviour carefully and warn one another to avoid all disorderly conduct. If any offending member will not accept such warning their case must be brought to the church (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24-25; 12:13, 15-16; Leviticus 19:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:15; Romans 15:14; James 5:19-20; Proverbs 29:1).
  15. Believers should live and walk in an exemplary way in all holiness and godliness, to the glory of the gospel, the edification of the church, and the conviction of those outside the church (Psalm 24:3-4; Matthew 5:16, 20; 21:19; 2 Timothy 2:19; Titus 2:11-14; Ephesians 4:21-23; 1 Peter 3:1-2; Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:15-16; 2 Samuel 12:14).

duties-cover__77537

]]> John Murray on the 2nd Commandment https://www.christthekingpsl.com/blog/post/john-murray-on-the-2nd-commandment https://www.christthekingpsl.com/blog/post/john-murray-on-the-2nd-commandment#comments Thu, 06 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.christthekingpsl.com/blog/post/john-murray-on-the-2nd-commandment “Pictures of Christ are in principle a violation of the second commandment. A picture of Christ, if it serves any useful purpose, must evoke some thought or feeling respecting him and, in view of what he is, this thought or feeling will be worshipful. We cannot avoid making the picture a medium of worship. But since the materials for this medium of worship are not derived from the only revelation we possess respecting Jesus, namely, Scripture, the worship is constrained by a creation of the human mind that has no revelatory warrant. This is will-worship. For the principle of the second commandment is that we are to worship God only in ways prescribed and authorized by him. It is a grievous sin to have worship constrained by a human figment, and that is what a picture of the Saviour involves” (John Murray).

]]> “Pictures of Christ are in principle a violation of the second commandment. A picture of Christ, if it serves any useful purpose, must evoke some thought or feeling respecting him and, in view of what he is, this thought or feeling will be worshipful. We cannot avoid making the picture a medium of worship. But since the materials for this medium of worship are not derived from the only revelation we possess respecting Jesus, namely, Scripture, the worship is constrained by a creation of the human mind that has no revelatory warrant. This is will-worship. For the principle of the second commandment is that we are to worship God only in ways prescribed and authorized by him. It is a grievous sin to have worship constrained by a human figment, and that is what a picture of the Saviour involves” (John Murray).

]]> The Blessing of Evening Worship https://www.christthekingpsl.com/blog/post/the-blessing-of-evening-worship https://www.christthekingpsl.com/blog/post/the-blessing-of-evening-worship#comments Mon, 25 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.christthekingpsl.com/blog/post/the-blessing-of-evening-worship The following is an excerpt from The Covenant Foundation's Leading in Worship: A Sourcebook for Presbyterian Students and Ministers Drawing Upon the Biblical and Historic Forms of the Reformed Tradition, pp. 17-18.

Regarding the tendency to drop Sunday evening services, we would urge caution for the following reasons:

First, the scriptural pattern of morning and evening sacrifice (e.g., Ex. 29:38-39) was seen by David as providing a pattern for his prayers (Pss. 5:3 and 141:2), and likewise by the Apostles (Acts 3:1; 10:9), the early church, the Medieval monastic orders, and the Reformers as providing a pattern for Christian practice. It is a venerable Chrisitan tradition. 

Second, morning and evening services on the Lord's Day provide a rhythm within which the Sabbath may more easiliy be observed. When one is returning for the evening service, the Lord's Day is full of worship, and typically, rest between services. In other words, when public worship ends at noon, it is exceedingly difficult to hallow the rest of the day without falling into dreaded monotony and boredom. Secular alternatives may prove irresistible to willing spirits with weak flesh. Two services provide the structure for remembering the Sabbath. 

Third, a second Sunday service, conducted with thought and excellence, is an opportunity to build the body of Christ that is not to be lightly dismissed. The primary means of grace—prayer, the sacraments, and the reading and preaching of the word, are operative primarily in public worship. A Reformed ecclesiology would recognize that Christian piety is nurtured, Christian commitments are solidified, Christian character is developed, and Christian knowledge is imparted not so much in special camps, conferences, and seminars, but in the regular worship services of the church. A second service has the potential to double the exposure and impact of the regular ministry of the church without taking week nights away from families.

 

]]> The following is an excerpt from The Covenant Foundation's Leading in Worship: A Sourcebook for Presbyterian Students and Ministers Drawing Upon the Biblical and Historic Forms of the Reformed Tradition, pp. 17-18.

Regarding the tendency to drop Sunday evening services, we would urge caution for the following reasons:

First, the scriptural pattern of morning and evening sacrifice (e.g., Ex. 29:38-39) was seen by David as providing a pattern for his prayers (Pss. 5:3 and 141:2), and likewise by the Apostles (Acts 3:1; 10:9), the early church, the Medieval monastic orders, and the Reformers as providing a pattern for Christian practice. It is a venerable Chrisitan tradition. 

Second, morning and evening services on the Lord's Day provide a rhythm within which the Sabbath may more easiliy be observed. When one is returning for the evening service, the Lord's Day is full of worship, and typically, rest between services. In other words, when public worship ends at noon, it is exceedingly difficult to hallow the rest of the day without falling into dreaded monotony and boredom. Secular alternatives may prove irresistible to willing spirits with weak flesh. Two services provide the structure for remembering the Sabbath. 

Third, a second Sunday service, conducted with thought and excellence, is an opportunity to build the body of Christ that is not to be lightly dismissed. The primary means of grace—prayer, the sacraments, and the reading and preaching of the word, are operative primarily in public worship. A Reformed ecclesiology would recognize that Christian piety is nurtured, Christian commitments are solidified, Christian character is developed, and Christian knowledge is imparted not so much in special camps, conferences, and seminars, but in the regular worship services of the church. A second service has the potential to double the exposure and impact of the regular ministry of the church without taking week nights away from families.

 

]]>