The Organization of the Church

Aim: to give pupils a proper understanding of the organization and offices in a Scriptural New Testament Church.

Point of Contact: What is a Theocracy? Discuss. What is a Democracy? Discuss. Is a Scriptural Church either one of these?

Introduction: The form of government of a Scriptural local church is congregational. That is, all authority for governing a church rests in the congregation; the people. No one man or Bishop has authority over another. (cf. Acts 1:15-26; 6:2,3; 15:2) The church is both a Theocracy and a Democracy. A Theocracy in that God and God only is to be accepted as the final authority. A Democracy in that each member is entitled to one vote, as he feels God is leading him and the church abides by the opinion of the majority.

The local church is a pure democracy, complete in itself , and therefore cannot join anything like or unlike itself. If it did join anything, it would then, in the larger unit, be only a representative democracy and not the pure democracy that God made it to be.

Each particular and individual church is actually and absolutely independent in the exercise of all its churchly rights, privileges, and prerogatives: independent of all other churches, individuals, and bodies of men whatsoever, and is under law to Christ only.

Since the local church is self-governing and sovereign, God teaches us in the Bible about its organization and its officers, that is what we want to study today.

I. The Head, Administrator, and Rule of Faith.

A. The Head of the Church: Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22,23)

As it is the duty of the human body to obey every impulse of the head, so it is in the church's relationship to Christ.

B. The Administrator of the Church: The Holy Spirit.

Each church settles all matters under the direction of the Holy Spirit without interference from other churches.

Note the work the New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit does.

1. He directs. (Romans 8:14)

2. He calls to special to service. (Acts 13:2-4)

3. He guides in service. (Acts 8:27-29)

4. He equips for service.

a.He Illuminates. (I Corinthians 2:12-14)

b. He Instructs. (John 16:13,14)

c. He Impowers. (I Thessalonians 1:5)

C. The Rule of Faith: The Bible.

The New Testament Church believes in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as being verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings and that they are a supreme and final authority in matters of faith and practice.

There is No other authority. (II Timothy 3:16,17)

II. The Pastor: (Ephesians 4:11)

A. The Offices in a Scriptural Church is that of Pastor and Deacons. God originally gave to the church Apostles, Pastors, and Prophets.

1. The Apostles and Prophets established the early churches. They worked approving miracles and gave the churches the Scriptures.

2. When the churches were founded and equipped with the Scriptures there was no further need for the Apostles and Prophets. These offices were closed. (I Corinthians 13:10)

3. Evangelists are still working for the Lord, preaching in the churches. All Evangelism should be church centered.

4. The work of extending the church and edifying the saints must continue even after the work of the Apostles had finished. Thus today in the church, we have Evangelists and Pastors, the latter are also teachers.

B. The Description of the Office of Pastor.

His office is described by five words, each signifying a peculiar aspect of the office and a particular duty.

1. Elder: (I Timothy 5:17; Acts 11:30)

This refers to a pastor as a mature christian and distinquishes him as one worthy of leadership.

2. Bishop: (Titus 1:7; I Peter 2:25; Acts 20:28; Phillippians 1:1)

This title describes a superintendent or overseer of the work. By comparing scriptural references it is obvious that both Elder and Bishop designated the same office. (I Timothy 3:1,2; Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:28,29)

3. Shepherd of the Flock: (I Peter 5:2-4)

This title implies that the Pastor is to have the same relationship to his congregation as the Shepherd does to his flock. He is to protect them in their doctrinal beliefs and practice. He is to lead them in paths of righteousness, etc. (Psalm 23)

4. Preacher: (I Timothy 2:7; 1:11; II Peter 2:5)

Proclaiming God's Word through preaching.

5. Teacher: (Romans 2:20; I Corinthians 12:2; Ephesians 4:11)

The Pastor is to teach the whole counsel of God.

C. The Qualifications of the Pastor. (I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-8)

D. The Duties of the Pastor are numerous:

1. He is to preach the gospel without fear or favor.

2. He is to win the lost.

3. He is to teach Christians.

4. He should make much of visiting in the homes and praying with the people.

5. Under the authority of the church, he is to baptize and administer the Lord's supper.

6. He is to officiate at weddings.

7. He is to be a student.

8. He is to have the oversight of all matters of interest to the church.

E. Our duty toward the Pastor:

1. We should love and pray for the Pastor. "Remember them which have the rule over you". (Hebrews 13:7)

2. We should support him. (I Corinthians 9:7-14; I Timothy 5:18; Hebrews 13:17. "Obey them that have the rule over you".)

3. We should respect him. "Salute all them that have the rule over you." Hebrews 13:24)

III. The Deacons: (Acts 6:1-7)

A. The Origin of the Deacons.

1. They were selected for the purpose of freeing the pastors for praying and studying God's word.

2. God directed that seven men be appointed for this task. Some churches have fewer and some more than seven. This is left to the discretion of the church and is determined by the size of the congregation and the need.

B. The Installation of the Deacons: (Acts 6:6)

They were installed by the laying on of hands which is an act of setting apart certain ones to a certain work. There is no indication in the Scriptures that this office was permanent. Indeed, some of the first deacons later became preachers. eg. Stephen, Philip.

C. The Qualifications of Deacons: (I Timothy 3:8-13)

They are not much different than that of pastors.

D. The Duties of Deacons: (Acts 6:1-6)

1. The only duties given in the Bible for deacons is found here.

2. They were appointed over the task of administering relief.

3. They were to relieve the pastors of this task. The deacons were to be a pastor/helper.

4. It has become the established custom for churches to have their Deacons handle matters of discipline, serve the Lord Supper, etc. They should serve in the capacity that the church directs. Above this they have no authority.

5. The New Testament Deacons were soul winners and great Spirt-filled men of God.

E. Our duty toward the Deacons.

We should honor the deacons, loving, respecting and praying for them, and co-operating with them in the service of the Master.

Conclusion: Thus the New Testament Church as a self-governing body is well organized for the task God has given it. If we will constantly seek the Lord's will and do as the Holy Spirit directs we will be effectual in our service as a church.

Questions:

1. What form of government does a scriptural church have?

2. Describe how a church is a theocracy? A Democracy?

3. Who is the Head of a local church?

4. Who is the administrator of a local church?

5. What is the authority for the faith and practice of a local church?

6. What are the two offices in a local church?

7. State the five words that explain the work of a pastor.

8. What are our duties toward the pastor?

9. State four of the pastor's duties.

10. Why were the first deacons chosen?

11. What are the duties of the deacons?

12. What are our duties toward the deacons?