Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 31: Synods and Councils

Order of Service

• Sermon

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Sermon Title: Synods and Councils — Authority and Purpose in Church Government

Scripture: Acts 15:1-29

I. What Is a Synod?

A. The word synod comes from the Greek word simply meaning "assembly" B. A synod is an assembly of teaching and ruling elders gathered to discuss and direct the affairs of the church C. In Presbyterian polity, there are three church courts

1. The Session — the local church court, made up of the elders of a local congregation
2. The Presbytery — the regional church court, comprising teaching and ruling elders of a certain region
3. The General Assembly — the national church court, comprising teaching and ruling elders throughout the nation D. The confession focuses primarily on the presbytery and General Assembly level — the gathering of overseers beyond the local congregation E. Presbyterianism emphasizes that the church extends beyond the local congregation; governance reflects this conviction, not merely lip service F. The primary biblical text for this chapter is Acts 15 — the Jerusalem Council
4. The council was called to settle the dispute over whether Gentiles must be circumcised to belong to the new covenant community
5. The recurring phrase throughout the passage is "the apostles and the elders" (Acts 15:2, 15:4, 15:6, 15:22, 15:23)
6. The decision — that Gentiles are included by faith alone — was settled by agreement among the apostles and elders gathered from different regions

II. What Do Synods Do?

A. They determine controversies of faith and cases of conscience

1. As seen in Acts 15 — is faith in Christ sufficient for Gentiles, or must they also keep the Mosaic law?
2. Councils clear up the muddy waters of difficult doctrines, relieving burdens from the consciences of believers B. They set down rules and directions for public worship and church governance
3. Examples from the PCA include the Directory of Worship, which covers order of service and directions for church government
4. Councils address secondary matters that require order and direction C. They receive complaints and appeals and make authoritative determinations
5. Matthew 18:17 — Jesus instructs that a matter unresolved between individuals is to be brought before the church
6. The assembly of overseers takes up the matter, hears it, and renders a judgment that is final
7. In Acts 15:5-6, the circumcision party appeals their position to the Jerusalem Council; the council hears their complaint before rendering judgment

III. What Kind of Authority Do Synods Have?

A. The authority of councils is ministerial — grounded in and subordinate to the Word of God

1. Councils declare what Scripture teaches; they do not create new doctrine
2. Committees are often formed to mine the depths of Scripture on a matter, present findings to the assembly, and the elders debate and vote
3. Acts 15:7 — "After there had been much debate" — heavy deliberation from Scripture precedes any judgment B. When a council renders judgment consonant with Scripture, it carries genuine authority
4. Acts 15:28 — "It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us" — the council's judgment, rightly grounded in the Word, is declared the will of the Holy Spirit
5. Westminster Confession 31.2 — decrees consonant with the Word are to be received "with reverence and submission, not only for their agreement with the word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God" C. Councils can err and therefore are not the rule of faith and practice, but a help to both (Westminster Confession 31.3)
6. Even the apostles were held accountable to Scripture by the Bereans in Acts 17
7. The Fourth Lateran Council (1215) officially established transubstantiation — an example of a council hindering rather than helping the Christian life
8. The Council of Trent (1545–1563) pronounced anathema on the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone — another example of conciliar error
9. The inspired Scriptures alone are the rule of faith and practice D. The authority of councils is limited to ecclesiastical matters — they are not to govern civil affairs (Westminster Confession 31.4)
10. Elders are called to govern the church only, not the civil sphere
11. The church must not be associated with a political party; ministers proclaim God's Word, not partisan allegiance
12. Scripture's teachings will naturally bear on civil matters as congregants apply them, but that application belongs to the individual believer, not to the church as a governing body