David Lamb said:
I don't agree that simply because they both have elder rule and covenant theology, reformed baptists are a baptist/Presbyterian hybrid. Historically, in this country, most baptists held to such things; you only have to look at the Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) and see how closely it compares with the (Presbyterian) Westminster Confession of Faith to see this. Both feature covenant theology and elder rule.
I see nothing in the confessions about the lay/ruling elders of Presbyterianism(and the new Reformed Baptists). Yes, the word
elder is used in the Baptist Confession as a synonym of
bishop, but there is no corresponding section in the Westminster Confession.
The recent Reformed Baptist adaptation of a Presbyterian-influenced concept of lay/ruling elders was definitely not what seventeenth century Baptists meant by elders.
Here is how one of the actual signers of the 1689 Confession understood the term:
Benjamin Keach,
Glory of a True Church, 1697
“Query, Are there no ruling Elders besides the Pastor?
Answ. There might be such in the Primitive Apostolical Church, but we see no ground to believe it an abiding Office to continue in the Church, but was only temporary.
1. Because we have none of the Qualifications of such Elders mention’d, or how to be chosen.
2. Because we read not particularly what their Work and Business is, or how distinct from preaching Elders; tho we see not but the Church may (if she sees meet) choose some able and discreet Brethren to be Helps in Government. We have the Qualifications of Bishops and Deacons directly laid down, and how to be chosen, and their Work declared, but of no other Office or Officers in the Church, but these only.”
Benjamin Keach,
Gospel Mysteries Unveil'd, 1701:
“others think there were men ordained Elders, that were not gifted to preach, but to be helpful in Discipline, or in the Governement of the Church : but we reading neither of their Qualifications, or how to be chosen (nor of their peculiar Work, distinct from Pastors, nor any such elders chosen in any particular. church in the Apostles days) can see no ground for any such an Office, or Officers in the Church”
Have most Baptists really historically held to elder rule?
William Rider, Laying on of Hands Asserted, 1656:
"I have read of Bishops and Deacons, and of Apostles and Elders, who were Deacons; but never of Elders and Deacons: My reason is, because a Deacon is an Elder in the Church. . . . how confused have they appeared in their setting persons apart for Elders? not knowing, or at least not minding, that in the word Elders is comprehended all officers in the Church, with the Ministerial work also, . . . and so Elders is distinguished into several offices in the Church, as Bishops and Deacons : the Deacons were to be men full of the Holy Spirit and faith;& so indeed fit for the work of the Lord among his people, as well as Bishops, and so were Elders in the Church, see Acts 6.6, vers. and Acts 15.22 vers. where the Deacons spoken of in the 6 Chapter, are called Elders in the 15 Chapter; again, Philip. 1.1 vers. where the Apostle writeth to the Saints, with the Bishops and Deacons: so Paul to Timothy writes of the qualifications of the Bishops and Deacons ; not Elders and Deacons ; you shall never in all the Scripture find Elders and Deacons expressed."
Andrew Fuller, “On Church Government and Discipline”:
“If..a plurality of [elders] be required, why is not a plurality of them supported? The office of elder in those churches which are partial to the system is little more than nominal: for while an elder is employed like other men in the necessary cares of life, he cannot ordinarily fulfil the duties of his office."
Charles Spurgeon, Meeting of Our Own Church, 1861:
"a modified form of Episcopalian Presbyterian Independency is the Scriptural method of Church government. At any rate, no other form of government would have worked in so large a Church as this. . . .
Mr. Spurgeon said that . . . . they had some
peculiarities which he supposed were not to be found in any other Church, at least in England. The first of these was that for some time they had maintained the eldership in their midst."
Henry C. Vedder, Baptist History:
"The Scotch Baptist churches were much influenced by the early Sandemanian connections of these leaders, adopting from that source some
notions regarding organization and practice that have been peculiar to them among Baptists, such as insisting on a plurality of elders in every church, and the weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper."