Introduction
Nehemiah Coxe was a 17th century Particular Baptist Pastor, who’s father was a leader among the first generation of Particular Baptists. He was a gifted pastor-theologian. You may learn more about him in the interview with Dr. James Renihan we did on the Covenant Podcast. To find it click here. In this post, I want to help us consider some of the insights Nehemiah Coxe provides on the pastor’s duties to the people that Christ has set him over.
A Minister of Christ to the People
Coxe writes, “You are a minister of Christ, not a creature of human appointment. It is by the Holy Spirit that you are made an overseer, therefore take heed to yourself and to the flock of God (Act 20:28).” He then quotes Colossians 4:17, “And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.'” The man called to pastor in one of Christ’s churches is first and foremost in service to Christ. Thus, He is under Christ’s authority. Being under Christ’s authority, the pastor may infer:
- His office is dignified and valuable. Some may think the pastor’s work is useless or impractical. However, their opinion is of no lasting consequence. Christ delights in him and his faithful labors. Indeed, his labor is a good work (1 Tim 3:1).
- His account will be given to Christ. Those to whom Christ gives a stewardship should not be surprised that He will take an account from them (Matt 25:21). Indeed, “There is nothing that tends more to engage us to all diligence and faithfulness in our calling, than a deep and fixed thoughtfulness of that solemn audit which we must be brought to, at the kingdom and appearing of the great Shepherd.”
- His assistance will come from Christ. “Those that Christ employs in His work may expect His gracious presence and assistance in all the difficulties that do attend it.” Is this not promised by Christ in the great commission (Matt 28:20)? Even if all others forsake the man of God, serving as a pastor in one of Christ’s churches, God’s grace will be sufficient (2 Cor 12:9).
- His reward of faithfulness is sure. “Seeing he is engaged in Christ’s service, the reward of faithfulness therein is sure; Christ will not fail to show Himself a bountiful Lord and Master to those that serve Him. None ever were, or shall be, losers by doing His work.” Yes, the pastor, who shepherds the flock of God placed under Him, will “receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Pet 5:4). The pastor’s faithful labor is never in vain.
Now that we plodded with Coxe on the subject of the pastor’s duty to Christ, let us consider the nature of the pastor’s duty to the church.
A Minister to Oversee and Care for Souls
“Consider that it is the care and charge of souls that is committed to you,” writes Coxe, “not the temporal concerns of this life, but the affairs of eternal life are the business of your stewardship.” In the eyes of God, the souls under the pastor’s care are valuable enough for Him to give His Son to redeem (Rom 5:6-8; Eph 2:8-10). Moreover, they are valuable enough to Christ that He shed his blood for them. Coxe later writes something that ought to be engraved on the mind and heart of every pastor: “The church is a society of men that God has purchased to Himself by His own blood, and now has committed to your care, and has appointed you to watch for their souls. Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to your flock—for if any of them perish in an evil way through your neglect of duty towards them, [then] they die in their sins, but God will require their blood at your hand (Eze 3:18-20; 33:6-8).”
Conclusion
Pastoring is not for the faint of heart. It is an awesome calling, burden, and privilege. Those who desire it, desire an honorable thing. Those who enter it and plod along in it, join a throng of many generations that have gone before them. Coxe is among that throng. In his sermon titled Biblical Elders and Deacons, he helps the pastor in his plodding with instruction and encouragement. This article has focused on one portion of the sermon that explains the duties a pastor has to his people. The next one will hone in on the Coxe’s insights pertaining to the public aspects of the pastor’s duty.
Resources
A free PDF copy of the sermon under discussion can be found here.
Jimmy Johnson serves as the Senior Pastor at Vista Baptist Church of Osceola, Missouri. He is a husband and father, and a sinner saved by the awesome grace of God in Jesus Christ. He is the cohost of Covenant Podcast. He received his BA in Christian Ministry from Missouri Baptist University. He received His MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He subscribes to the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith as a faithful summary of biblical teaching. He can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
He co-founded this website to be dedicated to providing biblical, theological, confessional, and historical content that is accessible and beneficial to the Church of Jesus Christ. He contributes to the website to become more skilled as a writer, theologian, and pastor.
