Which form of church government is more scriptural?

[Willem van Oranje]

I just finished reading a stack of books on the Westminster Assembly (Mitchell, Hetherington, Barker, Gillespie, Mitchell & Struthers, Warfield, A. A. Hodge, and Reid). A couple of things stood out to me.

John Cotton (invited to the Assembly but did not make it) won over Davenport, Goodwin, and Nye to nonconformity. Non Westminster Assembly guy (and certifiable genius) John Owen came to Congregationalism by means of reading Cotton's The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven evidently without any face-to-face conversations with anyone.

On the other hand, the process of studying church government in the company of the other Westminster divines won over a number of them to the Presbyterian cause or strengthened them in their resolve. I was struck by how many of the Divines started out only mildly Presbyterian or undecided, only to be convinced by the power of the arguments in the Assembly. Of course, if I had been forced to listen to the obstructionistic tactics of Goodwin, Bridge, Burroughs, Nye, and Simpson I might be more tempted to become a Presbyterian too.

Read "Dr. John Owen Re-presbyterianized" by Dr. F. N. Lee

 

[teddyrux]

Judging by the poll results, Baptists lose. Repent.

The poll results are really surprising. It seems to me that most of the members on this form are Presbyterian.

There is scriptural evidence for both and both are "autonomous" in that they are led by sinful men seeking to do God's will.

Although the baptists have it more right.

 

[Rich Koster]

I agree with the Baptist autonomy. However, we do have a level of cooperation with like minded congregations. Many elders are part of advisory boards/committees (whatever they happen to be called in a given region) who do offer help and advice, but it is not binding or enforced through a human covering entity. The elders in my region are often covering pulpits and helping out with various projects. Members of the congregations are also involved in various efforts with other congregations. There is a lot more cooperation than meets the eye, behind the scenes. I'll post the texts used in the LBC1689 as my scripture references.