3. Because the elders and brethren (who are as authoritatively members of the synod as the apostles) did in all points as authoritatively act as the apostles themselves. For, 1. Certain other of the church of Antioch, as well as _Paul_ and _Barnabas_, were sent as delegates from the church of _Antioch_, Acts xv. 2. 2. They were all sent as well to the _elders_, as to the _apostles_ at _Jerusalem_, about this matter, ver. 2. 3. They were received at _Jerusalem_, as well by the _elders_, as the _apostles_, and reported their case to them both, ver. 4. 4. The _elders_, as well as the _apostles_, met together to consider thereof, ver. 6. 5. The letters containing the synodal decrees and determinations, were written in the name of the _elders and brethren_, as well as in the name of the _apostles_, ver. 23. 6. The _elders and brethren_, as well as the _apostles_, blame the false teachers for troubling of the Church, _subverting of souls_; declaring, that they gave the false teachers _no such commandment_ to preach any such doctrine, ver. 24. 7. The _elders and brethren_, as well as the _apostles_, say, "It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us," ver. 28. 8. The _elders_ and _brethren_, as well as the _apostles_, did impose upon the churches "no other burden than these necessary things," ver. 28. 9. The _elders_, as well as the _apostles_, being assembled, "thought good to send chosen men of themselves," viz. _Judas_ and _Silas_, with _Paul_ and _Barnabas_, to _Antioch_, to deliver the synodal decrees to them, and to tell them the same things by mouth, ver. 22, 25, 27. 10. And the decrees are said to be ordained as well by the _elders_, as by the _apostles at Jerusalem_, Acts xvi. 4. So that through this whole synodal transaction, the elders are declared in the text to go on in a full authoritative course of judgment with the apostles, from point to point. And therefore in this synod, the apostles acted as ordinary elders, not as extraordinary officers. Fourthly. Here was the ordinary way and method of synodal proceedings by the apostles, elders, and brethren, when they were convened unanimously, ver. 25. For,