. . . we feel bound to declare our conviction that the government of the Church of England is repugnant to the Word of God.

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson, 128.

Nor was supreme spiritual power lodged in the hands of any office-bearer of the church, however distinguished by his gifts, his sufferings, or his abundant labors . . . Even the apostles did not claim to have dominion over people’s faith, but only to be helpers of their joy (2 Cor. 1:24).

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson, 122.

Ordination is the solemn designation of a person to ecclesiastical office with the laying on of hands . . . In its outward form it consisted of three things — fasting, prayer, and imposition of hands. The imposition of hands was used when spiritual gifts were conferred (Acts 8:17; 19:6).

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson, 114.

Human wisdom may be baffled in attempting to specify the design of every truth that forms a component part of divine revelation, but eternity will show us that no portion of it is useless. All Scripture is profitable.

Thomas Witherow, I Will Build My Church: Selected Writings on Church Polity, Baptism, and the Sabbath, edited by Jonathan Gibson, 87.

The conflict between David and Goliath is a microcosm of the conflict between the two seeds, the seed of the woman, Christ, and the seed of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). Since David was in the line of Christ, his death at this time would have put the messianic promise in jeopardy. But against all odds, for Goliath had every natural advantage, God gave David the victory and advanced the promise leading to the fullness of time when Christ came. The hostility continues, and it often seems as though the advantage belongs to the serpent. But God’s redemptive purpose in Christ is certain, and Christ’s church and kingdom will advance regardless of the opposition. The King greater than David will keep on slaying the enemies greater than Goliath until every enemy is placed under His feet (Ps. 110:1–2). How do you need to look to Christ for victory over sin and Satan today?

Thoughts for Personal/Family Worship on 1 Samuel 17 in RHB KJV Study Bible

The design of contending earnestly for the faith delivered unto the saints is not only to edify Christians, but also to convince and gain other persons, persuading them also to embrace the faith. The testimony of the saints should, therefore, be calculated to preserve the distinction between the world and the Church, and to enlighten those who have already embraced the faith.

Reformation Principles Exhibited by the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (New York: Hopkins and Seymour, 1807), vi.

From the beginning of the Christian faith, the Old Testament prophets have played a critical role in understanding God’s great redemptive plan for the world. The New Testament relies on the prophetic books repeatedly for its understanding of God and Jesus the Messiah.

J. Daniel Hays, The Message of the Prophets: A Survey of the Prophetic and Apocalyptic Books of the Old Testament, 22.

Faith is not a work which Christ condescends in the gospel to accept instead of perfect obedience as the ground of salvation — it is only the hand whereby we clasp the person and work of our Redeemer, which is the true ground of salvation.

A. A. Hodge, The Confession of Faith, 125.

The perseverance of the believers in grace is wrought by the Holy Ghost, not irrespective of, but through, the free will of the man himself. Therefore it is a duty as a well as a grace. The grace of it should be preached for the encouragement of the diligent. The duty, and absolute necessity of it to salvation, should be preached to quicken the slothful and to increase the sense of obligation felt by all.

A. A. Hodge, The Confession of Faith, 237.

Like brilliant lights the churches were now illuminating the world, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ was flourishing everywhere when the Devil, who hates what is good, true, and saving, turned all his weapons against the church. Previously he had attacked her from the outside through persecutions, but now that he was prevented, he resorted to internal tactics, using wicked impostors as corrupt agents of destruction, assuming the name of our religion to destroy every believer they could ensnare while deflecting unbelievers from the path that leads to salvation.

Eusebius, The Church History, 4.7.