| Introduction: |
| The Church of Christ is a Monarchy and not a Democracy. |
| The Church of Christ is Autonomous. |
| The Organization of the Church of Christ. |
| Conclusion: |
1. The church of the new testament is to be governed by the pattern set forth in the new covenant.
2. It is not governed by an ecclesiastical form of government as is most denominations with their synods, presbyteries, councils, general assemblies and conferences.
3. The great apostasy of the church developed as a result of perverting the organization of the church. We must give careful attention to the scriptures in the organization of the church if we are to be pleasing to God.
4. In consideration of our subject there are several important points to be considered. They are as follows:
I. THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS A MONARCHY AND NOT A DEMOCRACY.
A. The word monarchy basically means to rule by only one person. The word democracy basically denotes ruled by the people.
B. In referring to the church of Christ as a monarchy, it is meant that it is ruled by one person (Jesus Christ), not by the majority of the people.
C. The Bible clearly teaches that the church Jesus built has only one head.
1. Eph. 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. (KJV)
2. Col. 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (KJV)
3. Matt 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (KJV)
4. Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (KJV)
5. 1 Cor 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (KJV)
II. THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS AUTONOMOUS
A. The word autonomous denotes the idea of self governing. In speaking of the autonomy of the church, local congregations are meant.
B. In the first century each local congregation was self governing, in the sense that each congregation was independent of the other.
C. This does not mean that one congregation can go contrary to the will of God and because it is self governing, it thus stands beyond rebuke and discipline of other congregations.
D. The wisdom of God is seen in the autonomy of the local church.
1. If one congregation became corrupted in doctrine or practice, it would not affect other churches.
2. If dissention arose in one, it would not spread to the others.
3. If one perished, others would not be brought down with it.
III. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
A. ELDERS
1. The bible teaches that elders are to be ordained in every church.
a. Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (KJV)
b. Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (KJV)
2. Terms used to identify these men.
a. "EPISKOPOS" (bishop, overseer) this word denotes what these men are to do. Thayer's Lexicon says in connection with this word "an overseer, a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent..."
b. "PRESBUTEROS" (presbyter, elder) This word denotes the dignity that characterizes them in view of their age, wisdom, experience and qualifications. Thayer says the word means "elder" primarily the word denotes advanced in life, an elder, a senior. In the new testament it is used of men who oversee the Lord's flock.
c. "POIMEN" (pastor, shepherd) This word denotes how these men are to do their work. Thayer defines this word as "a herdsman, esp a shepherd".
3. The duties of elders:
a. Take heed (to themselves and the flock)
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (KJV)
b. Feed the flock of God
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (KJV)
c. Help the weak
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (KJV)
d. Exhort in sound doctrine and convince the gainsayers
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (KJV)
e. Be examples to the flock
1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (KJV)
f. Visit the sick
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (KJV)
g. Watch in behalf of the souls of the members
Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (KJV)
These duties have been imposed on the elders by the Lord and when not faithfully performed the church suffers. When an elder or elders no longer desires to, nor faithfully carries out his duties, he is walking contrary to the Lord and is therefore displeasing to him and should wilfully step aside and not pull the church down with him. There is a vast difference in an elder who cannot fulfill his duties because of legitimate reasons and one who will not carry out his duties.
4. The qualifications of elder as set forth in
1Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (KJV)
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (KJV)
a. Without reproach.
b. Husband of one Wife.
c. Temperate.
d. Soberminded.
e. Orderly.
f. Given to hospitality.
g. Apt to teach.
h. No brawler.
i. No striker.
j. Gentle.
k. Not contentious.
l. No lover of money.
m. Ruling well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.
n. Not a novice.
o. Must have a good report of them that are without.
p. Having children that believe.
q. Not self willed.
r. Not soon angry.
s. A lover of good.
t. Just and holy.
u. Self controlled.
v. Holding fast the faithful word.
No person should be appointed to the eldership who does not in some noticeable degree possess these qualifications.
B. DEACONS:
1. The duties of deacons.
a. The word primarily denotes "one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master; a servant, attendant, minister:" Thayer P.138
b. As an example of the work of deacons note
Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. (KJV)
c. Elders and deacons are not the same nor are they equal. Elders oversee the flock. The deacons minister and serve the flock.
2. The qualifications of deacons as set fort in
1 Tim 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. (KJV)
a. Men of good report
b. Full of the spirit and wisdom
Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (KJV)
c. Grave
d. Not double tongued
e. Not given to much wine
f. Not greedy of filthy lucre
g. Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
h. First be proved
i. Be blameless
j. Husband of one Wife
k. Ruling their children and own house well
C. MEMBERS
1. As members they are to be workers together.
2 Cor 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (KJV)
2. They are to be unified and speak the same thing.
1 Cor 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (KJV)
3. Their relationship to godly and qualified elders
a. To know them
1Thess 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; (KJV)
b. To esteem them highly for their works sake
1Thess 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. (KJV)
c. Count them worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
1 Tim 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. (KJV)
d. Obey them and submit yourselves
Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (KJV)
e. Against an elder receive not an accusation except at the mouth of two or three witnesses
1 Tim 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. (KJV)
1. The church belongs to Christ Jesus, he is the sole head of it and it is to abide within the pattern he has given for the church in all respects.
2. May we all love, honor and cherish the precious body of Christ by keeping its organization in harmony with the word of God.
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