The object of this book is to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that will be done by allowing the Word of God (the Bible) to have supremacy in our hearts and our lives over all our pre-conceived ideas about ecclesiology (Church doctrine and practice). We believe that this approach to divine subjects will redound to the glory and honour of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is my desire is to faithfully, and we trust lovingly, point out the unscripturalness of the traditionally accepted order of church government and practice that is has been in the Christian profession for centuries. At the same time, our aim is to present principles of God’s order in the Scriptures for the function of a Christian assembly. We realize at the very outset of this study that what we will take up might "step on the toes" of some who are emotionally attached to the denomination and its traditional order for worship and ministry. However, it has not our intention to malign any of the denominations in Christendom, or the Christians associated with them. We have not sought to criticize the various church denominations in the Christian profession just for the sake of criticism, but to point out the error of the whole system. Our great desire is to make known God's Scriptural order for Christians gathering together for worship and ministry, so that all who are exercised may know that simple pattern. We trust that through all the many things we touch on, that there can be seen a genuine love and concern for the whole family of God.
I make no claim to the originality of the truth herein compiled. These are things that faithful Bible teachers have taught me and many written by brethren for over 180 years. In this publication we have merely sought to give a fresh presentation of these truths. The Bible references used in this book are from the King James Version. Where the wording is different, the references have been taken from the New Translation of J. N. Darby.
I now commend the reader to the Lord and the various points of truth herein compiled. Our prayer is that each Christian that reads this material will be honest, spiritual, and mature, and they will to acknowledge these things to be the truth. May God give us the grace to do His will.
Bruce Anstey
August, 2018