Systematic Theology III The Doctrine of the Church The Structure and Polity of the Local Church

Introduction: The Definition of the Local Church “The Reformers and Anabaptists argued over the marks of a true church. All agreed on two requirements: (1) the true proclamation of the Word of God and (2) the true administration of the sacraments” (McCune, p. 219). Perhaps a few more are in order: True Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ Acts 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Baptized (Immersed) in Water as a Public Testimony “Baptism is administered to those who give a credible account of their conversion experience” (McCune, p. 219). Organized with the Biblical Officers of Pastors and Deacons For example, Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: The term for overseers here is episkopos. Presbuteori is another term that is used, meaning “elders”.

Introduction: The Definition of the Local Church Marks of a True Church (cont) Sharing a Common faith or Body of Biblical Truth “This body of truth is an agreed-upon core of biblical doctrine and practice around which to organize and fellowship” (McCune, p. 220). See Acts 2:42 and Jude 3. Observing the Ordinances of Baptism and Communion Acts 2:41-42 So then, those who had received his word were baptized…And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Carrying out the Great Commission “This is done by making a full-orbed New Testament disciple of Christ by going (evangelizing), baptizing those won, and instructing them in the things of Christ and the entire Christian experience (Matt 28:18-20; et al)” (McCune, p. 220). Meeting at Regular and Stated Times Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some. See Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 16:2.

A Good Summary Statement “A Christian church is a company of regenerate persons, baptized on a profession of faith in Christ, united in covenant for worship, instruction, the observance of Christian ordinances, and for such service as the gospel requires; recognizing and accepting Christ as their supreme Lord and Lawgiver, and taking His Word as their only and sufficient rule of faith and practice in all matters of conscience and religion” (Edward T. Hiscox, as quoted in McCune, pp. 220-21).

The Organization of the Local Church Evidence for Organization in the NT Church Stated Meetings (Acts 20:7; Heb 10:25) Elections (Acts 6:5-6) Officers (Phil 1:1) Designation of Official Leaders (Acts 20:17, 28) Recognized authority of the local church and its officers (Matt 18:17) Discipline (1 Cor 5:4, 5, 13) Systematic Contributions (1 Cor 16:1-2) These are given because some have argued that organization in the local church is unnecessary, that it is purely a spiritual body that has no formal organization (Quakers, Plymouth Brethren. In 1 Cor 5, local church was gathered to exercise discipline.

The Organization of the Local Church The Fact of Organization Words and letters of commendation for certain people (2 Cor 3:1) A registry for widows (1 Tim 5:9) A uniform set of customs (1 Cor 11:16) Order in polity and public services (1 Cor 14:40) Qualifications for membership (Acts 2:41, 47)

The Organization of the Local Church The Beginning of the Organized Church “…the first local church did not spring up with a complete organizational structure because the ekklesia was in the early stages of the transition from the dispensation of Law to Grace…local church organization developed in response to certain factors such as the temporary nature of the apostolic office. In the beginning days, the apostles naturally took leadership. However, they were not destined to be a permanent fixture in the church, so they arranged for elders (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5) and developed a corpus of inspired literature (not least 1 – 2 Timothy and Titus) to care for church life” (McCune, pp. 224-25). The development of local churches and their organization can be clearly seen as you read through the Book of Acts, then affirmed as you read epistles addressed to these churches.

The Membership of the Local Church The Need for Local Church Membership “The necessity of membership in the local church is never questioned in the New Testament. It is taken for granted. Had we asked the believers of the Apostolic period whether is was essential to join a church, they would not have known what we were talking about. Every believer became a member of a local church. It was involved in the very profession he made in Christ. Some of the most important of New Testament Epistles were addressed to a local church. Furthermore, when the history of the church on earth is prophetically written, the Holy Spirit speaks of it as consisting of local churches (Rev 1 – 3). …Circumstances might conceivably arise which lead one to leave one local church for another. But there is no authority for abandoning the local church altogether for a purely individualistic Christian existence. The very Christian profession involves fellowship with other Christians” (Alva J. McClain, as cited in McCune, p. 225).

The Membership of the Local Church The Evidence of Formal Church Membership The Numbers Were Known Acts 2:41b there were added that day about three thousand souls. Acts 4:4 But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. Special Rolls Were Kept for Other Purposes (1 Tim 5:9) The Election of Local Church Officers Acts 6:3 “But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.” Church Discipline “The local church at Corinth had authority only over its own members, and they were given apostolic direction to expel a certain constituent for un-Christlike character and conduct (1 Cor 5:1-13).

The Membership of the Local Church The Qualifications for Local Church Membership Regeneration – new birth must precede one’s uniting with a local church. Confession of Faith – There must be evidence of a candidate’s personal experience of salvation through his testimony. Reception of Water Baptism – “…there is no true local church membership in the New Testament apart from reception of water baptism” (McCune, p. 228). Orderly Walk – “There must be a ‘good degree of conformity” between the profession of the individual and his actual life” (McCune, p. 228). This is not to say that unregenerate persons will not enter into local churches, but every effort should be made to exclude them from membership.

The Government (or Polity) of the Local Church The Principal Forms of Church Government – Ultimate Authority is a Key Issue in the Debate The Papal/Hierarchical System – Ultimate ecclesiastical authority resides with the Pope. All local parishes in the world are ultimately subject to him, though such offices as cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and priests are under him. The Episcopal System - Ultimate ecclesiastical authority resides in bishops, with only priests and deacons below them. The Presbyterian System - Ultimate ecclesiastical authority resides with the elders, of which there are two classes: teaching and ruling. This is a form of representative church government which includes: The Session – ministers and ruling elders who rule in the local church The Presbytery – all ministers and ruling elders in a prescribed geographical area The General Assembly – representatives from the presbyteries in a country. The Congregational System - Ultimate ecclesiastical authority is invested in the membership of the local church. The Tabernacle – The pastor of a local church, and usually his wife and family, do everything and have total control. Not an negligible or negotiable issue. Of the four options that McCune presents, congregational is the most biblical, but I would not use that term for what the Bible describes for church polity. Plural Elder Autonomous Perpetualism is a better descriptor.

The Biblical Form of Church Government: Congregational Rule The Local Church Has the Duty to Preserve Unity in Its Action The epistles were written to churches as a whole, not just to the leaders of the church. See Rom 12:16 and 1 Cor 1:10. The Local Church is Responsible for Maintaining Pure Doctrine and Practice “Paul teaches that the local church as a whole, not a special class within the church, is the custodian of revealed truth in this age, saying ‘the household of God, which is the church of the living God, [is] is the pillar and support of the truth’ (1 Tim 3:15) (McCune, p. 233). The Local Church Has the Authority to Observe and Guard the Ordinances “Paul, for example, did not commit the Lord’s Table to ecclesiastical officials or clergymen, but to the membership” (1 Cor 11:2, 23-24). The Local Church Has the Authority to Elect Its Own Officers, Leaders, and Messengers The first selection of deacons was by the congregation (Acts 6:1-6). McCune argues that the church elected the elders in every church in Asia Minor where Paul and Barnabas appointed them (Acts 14:23). In essence, the Apostles made the arrangement for a congregational vote. Titus was appointed by the churches to travel with Paul (2 Cor 8:19). “There are many lines of evidence to receive that point to congregationalism as the biblical polity” (McCune, p. 232). Present these, then say your view. I think McCune is discussing other things besides church government.

The Biblical Form of Church Government: Congregational Rule The Local Church Has the Power to Exercise Discipline over Its Membership The third step of discipline is to “tell it to the church” (Matt 18:15-17). The Local Church Has the Authority to Settle Its Internal Affairs “Concerning saints going to law against other saints (1 Cor 6:1-5), Paul directs the local church at Corinth to care for its difficulties” (McCune, p. 236). The Local Church Determines Its Relations with Other Churches “The so-called ‘Jerusalem Council’ (Acts 15:1-30) was really no more than a meeting of the members and messengers of two local churches, each sovereign in its own affairs” (McCune, p. 236). All of these seem to be more arguments from the autonomy of the local church rather than the polity of congregational rule.

Summary of the Government of the Local Church Local Church Government Is Biblical in Constitution “The authority, principles and rules of organization are to be found in the Bible alone” (McCune, p. 236). Local Church Government Is Congregational in Form “Each local church has supreme authority in its own affairs” (McCune, p. 236). Local Church Government Is Democratic in Representation “All members have equal rights and responsibility in the government of the church” (McCune, p. 236). Local Church Government Is Spiritual in Function “Thus church government, which externally appears to be a pure democracy, is internally a theocracy, functioning through the Holy Spirit” (McCune, p. 237). Disagree strongly with number 3.

The Relationships of the Local Church Various Current and Historic Forms of Baptist Cooperative Efforts The Baptist Conference The Baptist Convention The Baptist Association The Pastors Fellowship

The Relationships of the Local Church Local Church Cooperation Existed in the First Century (Acts 15; Letters to the seven churches in Revelation) The Local Church Decides the Extent of Its Cooperation with Other Churches McCune has more here, but you can read that for yourself.

Next Time: The Doctrine of the Church The Offices of Overseer and Deacon in the Local Church