The Second Helvetic Confession: 18.5–7: Week 32

Chapter XVIII—Of The Ministers of The Church, Their Institution and Duties

Ministers Of The New Testament. 

5a. Furthermore, the ministers of the new people are called by various names. For they are called apostles, prophets, evangelists, bishops, elders, pastors, and teachers (I Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11).

The Apostles. 

5b. The apostles did not stay in any particular place, but throughout the world gathered together different churches. When they were once established, there ceased to be apostles, and pastors took their place, each in his church.

Prophets. 

5c. In former times the prophets were seers, knowing the future; but they also interpreted the Scriptures. Such men are also found still today.

Evangelists. 

5d. The writers of the history of the Gospel were called Evangelists; but they also were heralds of the Gospel of Christ; as Paul also commended Timothy: “Do the work of an evangelist” (II Tim. 4:5).

Bishops. 

5e. Bishops are the overseers and watchmen of the Church, who administer the food and needs of the life of the Church.

Presbyters. 

5f. The presbyters are the elders and, as it were, senators and fathers of the Church, governing it with wholesome counsel.

Pastors.

5g. The pastors both keep the Lord’s sheepfold, and also provide for its needs.

Teachers. 

5h. The teachers instruct and teach the true faith and godliness. Therefore, the ministers of the churches may now be called bishops, elders, pastors, and teachers.

Papal Orders. 

6. Then in subsequent times many more names of ministers in the Church were introduced into the Church of God. For some were appointed patriarchs, others archbishops, others suffragans; also, metropolitans, archdeacons, deacons, subdeacons, acolytes, exorcists, cantors, porters, and I know not what others, as cardinals, provosts, and priors; greater and lesser fathers, greater and lesser orders. But we are not troubled about all these about how they once were and are now. For us the apostolic doctrine concerning ministers is sufficient.

Concerning Monks. 

7. Since we assuredly know that monks, and the orders or sects of monks, are instituted neither by Christ nor by the apostles, we teach that they are of no use to the Church of God, nay rather, are pernicious. For, although in former times they were tolerable (when they were hermits, earning their living with their own hands, and were not a burden to anyone, but like the laity were everywhere obedient to the pastors of the churches), yet now the whole world sees and knows what they are like. They formulate I know not what vows; but they lead a life quite contrary to their vows, so that the best of them deserves to be numbered among those of whom the apostle said: “We hear that some of you are living an irregular life, mere busybodies, not doing any work” etc. (II Thess. 3:11). Therefore, we neither have such in our churches, nor do we teach that they should be in the churches of Christ.