Christ in Bethlehem

I. The Star
II. The Wise
III. The King
 



(34) Jacob’s Burial in the Cave of Machpelah

I. His Significant Embalming
II. His Grand Funeral
III. His Unnecessary Command



(2) Seeking Church Office: Sinful Motives and Ways



(32) Jacob’s Blessing His Twelve Sons

I. The Speaker of the Blessing
II. The Idea of the Blessing



(33) Jacob’s Last Words

I. Words of Prophecy
II. Words of Burial



(1) The Election of Church Office-Bearers

Article 31: The Ministers, Elders, and Deacons.
We believe that the ministers of God’s Word, and the elders and deacons, ought to be chosen to their respective offices by a lawful election by the church, with calling upon the name of the Lord, and in that order which the Word of God teacheth. Therefore every one must take heed not to intrude himself by indecent means, but is bound to wait till it shall please God to call him, that he may have testimony of his calling and be certain and assured that it is of the Lord. 
As for the ministers of God’s Word, they have equally the same power and authority wheresoever they are, as they are all ministers of Christ, the only universal Bishop, and the only Head of the church. Moreover, that this holy ordinance of God may not be violated or slighted, we say that every one ought to esteem the ministers of God’s Word and the elders of the church very highly for their work’s sake, and be at peace with them without murmuring, strife, or contention, as much as possible.



(30) Dying Jacob Visited Twice by Joseph

I. Visit 1: The Vow Regarding Jacob’s Burial
II. Visit 2: The Blessing of Jacob’s Grandsons



(31) Jacob’s Blessing of Joseph’s Two Sons

I. The God of the Blessing
II. The Blessing of God
III. The Ones Blessed of God



(6) Broader Ecclesiastical Assemblies

Article 30: The Government of and Offices in the Church.
We believe that this true church must be governed by that spiritual policy which our Lord hath taught us in His Word, namely, that there must be ministers or pastors to preach the Word of God and to administer the sacraments; also elders and deacons, who, together with the pastors, form the council of the church; that by these means the true religion may be preserved and the true doctrine everywhere propagated, likewise transgressors punished and restrained by spiritual means; also that the poor and distressed may be relieved and comforted, according to their necessities. By these means everything will be carried on in the church with good order and decency, when faithful men are chosen according to the rule prescribed by St. Paul in his epistle to Timothy.



The Lord of My Body and Soul

I. The Lord of My Body
II. The Lord of My Soul