Q. J. H. We have long had the practice amongst us, for those who take an interest in the affairs of the Assembly, to come together to confer and deliberate on things brought before them prior to submitting such things to the gathered Assembly. Some few altogether object to “brothers meetings.” They say that everything should go before the Assembly without any preliminary meeting.
Experience has taught us that we have been preserved from trouble and sorrow by having had certain matters discussed by brothers alone before laying them before the Assembly.
Some insist on the presence of sisters at such preliminary meetings, or that they be set entirely aside by having everything done at the Lord’s table after the breaking of bread.
Our desire is to be guided by the Word of God, and I shall feel obliged if you would favor me with your judgment on this question.
A. I believe your practice to be a right one, as to the gathering together of those who care for the Church of God, to look into cases of discipline, and of those seeking fellowship, cases of need, and the various matters in which godly care and oversight is needed.
In scripture I find that there was a body technically called the elderhood, or presbytery (πρεσβυτέριον) within the assembly. No doubt, in apostolic days, those composing this body may have been appointed by apostles, or their representatives (Titus 1:55For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5)); but still there was a recognized body — not merely men or elders individually, who acted in concert; but a body so named. See 1 Timothy 4:1414Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. (1 Timothy 4:14). Such a body was known amongst the Jews. See Luke 22:6666And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, (Luke 22:66). “The elderhood of the people,” “The estate of the elders,” Acts 22:55As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. (Acts 22:5); both having the same meaning as elderhood or presbytery, while, of course, differing in constitution.
I believe there is a great deal done by such meetings now, composed of those who have a care for the church, and who possess the confidence of the saints, and an aptitude for such care. Many cases, details of which would be hurtful if spoken of before the young, and females, have there been discussed before the Lord; the case carefully examined on all sides, and while no action of discipline or reception is taken, or could be, apart from the assembled saints, still the case is matured, and so brought forward, in a way that delicacy is not shocked, where such a case might exist.
It may turn out, too, that many a case need go no further; the personal rebuke of the “spiritual.” The interference of the two or three may save all this, and save the Lord’s name from reproach, as well as the Assembly from that most painful of all actions — the exercise of discipline and excision from its midst. Cases, too, of need, where that can be ministered to, with the quiet grace of the Lord, are saved from a parade and the like.
“Sisters” have nothing whatever to do with such meetings. They have their own place defined fully in scripture, and are not to exercise authority. But no action, I repeat, can be taken by such a meeting apart from the assembled saints.
The cases are looked into, and the Assembly — having confidence in those who thus love the care of the Church — receive their testimony, and act upon their evidence and wisdom, and the matter, requiring only adequate testimony from two or three faithful witnesses as to the true bearings of the case.
Words of Truth 6:55-58.