Scriptural Organization of the Church

1
Scriptural Organization of the Church
Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in
Philippi, with the bishops and deacons
Phil. 11 NKJV
2
Synods
Presbyteries
Councils
Conferences
General Assemblies
Men make their own rules and laws
3
I. False ways of Organizing
Pastor System

• Preacher minister elder
• Overseer
• Ruler of the church

4
What is a Pastor ?

• Acts 2028 - overseers
• Titus 15-7 - bishop / elder
• Eph. 411 pastors
• feed, tend a flock
• presiding officer, manager
• director of any assembly
• overseers of Christian assembly

5
I. False ways of Organizing
Deacon System

• Deacons only
• No elders
• No record of a church with deacons and no
  elders

6
II. God's Way Of Organizing
Christ is the Head
Col. 118 And he is the head of the body, the
church Eph. 122, 23 ...gave him to be the
head over all things to the church, Which is his
body,...
7
Each local church is self-governing
Autonomous Make decisions and act on them as a
free and independent body Doesnt need authority
from another congregation to act Never
independent from the law of Christ
8
Oversee Feed Watch
Elders

• Acts 1130
• Qualifications 1 Tim. 31-7
• Acts 2028 overseers
• Tit. 15-7 bishops
• Eph. 411 - pastors

Plurality
9

• Appointed a plurality of elders in every single
  church!
• NOT one elder over one church
• NOT one elder over many churches
• NOT an eldership over many churches
• TWO OR MORE elders over one church

10
Deacons

• Phil. 11
• Qualifications 1 Tim. 38-13
• Not the same as elders

Serve Minister to Wait on
11
Members

• Saints Phil. 11
• Preacher - minister- evangelist
• Bible class teachers
• Song leaders
• All other members
• Gal.326-29

12
III. Questions Often Asked
Should every congregation have elders ?
Yes ! Acts 1423 in every church Tit. 15 in
every city
13
Suppose there are no qualified men ?
Cannot appoint Better to be scripturally
unorganized than unscripturally organized !
14
Must a congregation obey its elders ?
Yes - Heb. 1317 Some not qualified discourage
appointment Members must submit
15
Is it Necessary to appoint elders ?
Is he an elder when he does the work of an elder?
In N.T. they were appointed Qualifications
given
No
16
What does it mean Desire the office ?
1 Tim. 31 If a man desire Desire to reach
out after, to stretch forward to, to wish for Not
like a political office
17
Scriptural Organization of the Church
Many want to ignore Gods laws about
organization Just as binding as any other
law Gods plan is Best
18
Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ
515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249 evan
scoc_at_bellsouth.net www.evansgachurchofchrist.org S
unday Evening Dec. 7, 2008