An Attempt Towards a Statement of the Doctrine of Scripture - On Some Disputed Points Respecting the Constitution, Government, Worship and Discipline of the Church of Christ #260383

HE word of God is the only authority which we are bound to Obey, in our Christian fellowship. But our heavenly Father has not thought it proper to give a minute detail of the formation and the practice of his primitive churches. The history of the Acts of the Apostles is exceedingly short, and the facts which are stated, are only a selection. The apostolic epistles throw light on the subject, rather by occasional hints and allusions, than by direct narrative or full descrip tion. They were originally letters of business, most Of them addressed to particular churches in particular situations and we shall hardly be secure from mistake, as to their meaning and application, unless we careful ly attend to the times and circumstances, in which they severally appear to have been written.