THE AUTONOMY AND INDEPENDENCE OF LOCAL CHURCHES (continued) New Testament Church 2017 (17))

What is autonomy? Autonomous – self-governing. Freedom from external control or influence. A “free standing” organization. Independent – not dependent on another. Churches do not depend upon other congregations to exist, function or do its work

What is autonomy? Christ gave His church a congregational form of government. He is head of the body (local or universal) Each congregation is Independent – we are organized as if we are the only one on earth! Cf. Revelation 1:11-13 Each congregation is equal – size, location, resources not determining factors of greatness. We are judged by our faithfulness!

Autonomy of the Local Church Oversight of elders – the basic governing structure - limited to their local work – Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:2-3 NO example of functional arrangements larger or smaller than the local church Christ Members

Autonomy of the Local Church Every work God has given us can be accomplished with autonomy and independence Each congregation has responsibility according to its ability – 2 Corinthians 8:10-14 NT congregations respected these boundaries

Autonomy of the Local Church Congregation was the medium through which Christians functioned to accomplish its work Acts 9:26 – joined a local church Come together to worship – Acts 20:7, Hebrews 10:25 1 Thess. 5:11-14, Ephesians 4:16 – working together and encouraging one another 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – supporting the work

Autonomy of the Local Church Congregation was the medium through which Christians functioned to accomplish its work Acts 11:29 – helping others 1 Corinthians 5:4-7 – matters of discipline (also 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15) Instructions to Christians came through local congregations

Autonomy of the Local Church No congregation usurped the authority of another congregation or the authority or work of elders of another congregation No congregation or eldership surrendered its work or authority to another congregation Any help offered to other congregations was done while maintaining their autonomy

How Congregations Cooperated What relationship did congregations have with one another as recorded in scripture? Some letters were written to more than one congregation, with the intent of them being circulated – Galatians, Revelation, Colossians 4:16 Paul would interact with other congregations (writing, etc.) while working in a different city

How Congregations Cooperated What relationship did congregations have with one another as recorded in scripture? When Paul traveled to another city he sought out sound brethren (when there) – cf. Acts 9:19, 25-26, 11:26, etc. Romans 16:1-2 – Phoebe was recommended to the church in Rome from Cencrea Acts 9:31 – many congregations affected by some action

How Congregations Cooperated What relationship did congregations have with one another as recorded in scripture? Congregations recognized each other based upon: 1) Each congregation was equal 2) Fellowship with Christ cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Cor. 4:17 Revelation 2 & 3 – several congregations were in danger of fellowship with Christ being severed NOTE: The body of Christ is NOT a body of congregations!

How Congregations Cooperated Did congregations cooperate with one another? Yes! But how? 2 Types of cooperation: 1) Collective 2) Concurrent

How Congregations Cooperated How did congregations cooperate with one another? Collective? – forming a whole, combined (Dictionary.com). This is the pooling of resources, centralizing efforts or resources to do a work

How Congregations Cooperated How did congregations cooperate with one another? Con Cong Collective cooperation Sponsoring Cong or Org. Cong Where is this found in scripture? Work of benevolence or evangelism Cong

How Congregations Cooperated How did congregations cooperate with one another? Concurrent? – Occurring or existing simultaneously or side by side More than one entity (congregation) working to accomplish a work while maintaining total autonomy

How Congregations Cooperated How did congregations cooperate with one another? Con Cong Concurrent cooperation Cong The pattern found in scripture Work of benevolence or evangelism Cong Cong

How Congregations Cooperated NT congregations cooperating Con Evangelism – Acts 11:20-23 Barnabas Jerusalem Antioch

How Congregations Cooperated NT congregations cooperating Con Evangelism – Philippians 4:15-18, 2:25 Epaphroditus w/$ Philippi Paul in Thessalonica Had Fellowship with Paul in this matter

How Congregations Cooperated NT congregations cooperating Con Evangelism – 2 Corinthians 11:7-8 Cong $ Paul in Corinth Cong $ Cong $

How Congregations Cooperated NT congregations cooperating Con Benevolence – Acts 11:27-30 Relief sent to churches of Judea Cong Jerusalem $ Antioch $ $ Cong “Churches of Judea” Galatians 1:22

How Congregations Cooperated NT congregations cooperating Con Benevolence – Jerusalem, later Romans 15:25-27, 1 Cor.16:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 Corinth Poor saints in Jerusalem Macedonia Macedonia Macedonia Gal Gal Gal

Autonomy of the Local Church What about Jerusalem? Was Jerusalem a “sponsoring church”? Combining info from Acts 11, Romans 15, 1 Cor. 16:1-4, etc. it is argued money sent to Jerusalem who distributed it to other congregations in Judea.

Autonomy of the Local Church What about Jerusalem? Acts 11:30, the text says money was sent to elders (cf. Galatians 1:22). For Jerusalem to “sponsor” the need would give greater authority to elders of that congregation in these matters!

When we change God’s pattern It is unscriptural! It changes the nature of the oversight of elders (their work is greater than scripture permits or shows) A congregation surrenders its autonomy in the area where it delegates a work to another church

When we change God’s pattern In a sense, it changes the nature of the church – creating something more than a local congregation cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 It can lead to denominationalizing the Lord’s church – such efforts divide congregations, create “sides”, binds together more than one congregation.

Let us strive to be the church that truly belongs to Christ! New Testament Church 2017 (17))