Introduction Recall the scriptural distinctions between the universal and local church: Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 5:30; Heb. 12:23; Phil. 1:1; Eph. 4:16 In order for any group of people to act as a team requires organization. The local church has an earthly organization, but the universal church does not.

Introduction Two important passages as we consider the organization of the Lord’s church: Eph. 4:11; Phil. 1:1 The universal church and every local church stand on the foundational truths revealed to the apostles and prophets: Jn. 16:13; 1 Tim. 3:15 These foundational truths govern every aspect of the universal church and every local church.

Part 10: Organization of the Church Ephesians 4:11-16 The New Testament Church Part 10: Organization of the Church Ephesians 4:11-16

Introduction “The word, and concept of, ‘organization’ in spiritual matters has a negative ring to it in the minds of many. To speak of anything pertaining to our relationship with Christ as ‘organized’ is a real ‘turn off’ to them. It is true that much of the religious community has organized and stressed organization in spiritual matters to such an extent that the organization has come to mean more than the Lord does and one’s fellowship with God is defined almost strictly in terms of a relationship to an organization. In that sense ‘organized religion’ certainly deserves criticism and rejection.

Introduction However, this does not mean there is not a type of ‘organization’ that the Lord approves of and wants his followers to be involved with. Sometimes these ‘organizations’ were referred to as ‘churches of Christ,’ Romans 16:16, others were called a ‘church of God,’ 1 Corinthians 1:1, or simply ‘the saints in Christ Jesus,’ Philippians 1:1, but they are all designations which indicate that first century Christians organized and acted in a collective manner.” (Smitherman, lesson #12, p. 1)

Organization of the Church Elders We’ve already stated the organization of the universal church: Christ as head: Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18 Faithful Christians as members of His body: 1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 5:30 As functioning assemblies of God’s people, local churches also have an organization: Phil. 1:1 Elders: serve as spiritual leaders Deacons: serve under direction of elders Saints: each “does its share” of the work: Eph. 4:16 Organization of the Church

Organization of the Church Elders First mentioned in Acts 11:30; 14:23 Two key passages concerning elders: Acts 20:13-31 (esp. v. 28); 1 Pet. 5:1-4 Organization of the Church

Organization of the Church Elders: Acts 20:13-31 Paul lands at Miletus and “he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church”: Acts 20:17 Key is v. 28: Elders = bishops = pastors; all the same office. “overseer” (episkopos, bishop) is a superintendent: Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:25 “to feed” (poimen, pastor) tending a flock, a shepherd: Eph. 4:11 Organization of the Church

Organization of the Church Elders: Acts 20:13-31 Each of these three words (elder, bishop, pastor) describe the same office but emphasize different aspects of the nature or work of this office: Elder: older, experienced men: Ex. 3:16; 1 Tim. 3:6 Bishop: “overseer” describes the work performed: Titus 1:5 Pastor: “shepherd, to feed” also describes the work performed: Acts 20:28 Organization of the Church

Organization of the Church Elders: Acts 20:13-31 This passage gives insight into the scope of the elder’s duties: Limited oversight: “take heed to yourselves and to all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers”: Acts 20:28 Plurality: v. 17: “elders”; v. 28: “overseers”; note both are plural. Work: “oversee…flock among…you”; cf. Heb. 13:17 Organization of the Church

Organization of the Church Elders: 1 Peter 5:1-4 Peter addresses elders in this passage and confirms Paul’s teaching in Acts 20 Elders = bishops = pastors; all the same office. v. 2 elders are to “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you” (“shepherd” is from poimen, i.e., feed, pastor) they are to tend the flock among them. V. 2 elders are to “serve as overseers” (episkopos, bishop) oversee the flock, superintend the local church: Heb. 13:17 Organization of the Church

Organization of the Church Elders: 1 Peter 5:1-4 Peter confirms the scope of the elder’s duties: Limited oversight: v. 2: “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you”: 1 Pet. 5:2 Plurality: v. 1: “elders”; v. 2: “overseers”; note both are plural. Work: v. 2: “Shepherd the flock…serving as overseers”; cf. Heb. 13:17 Organization of the Church

Qualifications of elders: Organization of the Church Elders: 1 Peter 5:1-4 Peter sheds more light on the service of elder: V. 2: “not by compulsion but willingly”: a man must “desire the position of a bishop”: 1 Tim. 3:1 V. 2: “not for dishonest gain”: elders are worthy of financial support: 1 Tim. 5:17-18 but financial gain should not be a motive. V. 3: “nor as being lords over those entrusted to you”: elders “rule over” the church, but not as tyrants. V. 3: “but being examples to the flock”: elders are “servant leaders”; their authority arises from their imitation of Christ’s example. Qualifications of elders: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Titus 1:5-9 Organization of the Church

Qualifications of deacons: Organization of the Church The word “deacon” comes from Greek word diakonos: Appears 30 times in NT; 21 times “minister” (noun and verb); 6 times as “servants”; 3 times as “deacons.” Deacons are servants of the local church serving under the oversight of the elders. Their role is to serve the physical needs of the local church: Acts 6 Qualifications of deacons: 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Organization of the Church

Evangelists/Teachers Evangelist is “a preacher of the gospel”; “to announce the good news.” Evangelists are valuable assets to the local church, but not essential to their completeness in Christ as elders. Timothy and Titus were young evangelists men- tored by Paul: Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Tim. 1:3; Titus 1:5; 2 Tim. 4:2-5; 6:3; 2 Tim. 3:16-17 Organization of the Church

Evangelists/Teachers Teachers are Christians (men and women), who by reason of experience, sound judgment and diligent Bible study qualify themselves to teach the Bible. Teachers were prominent in the church at Antioch: Acts 13:1; 1 Cor. 12:8; Acts 8:18; 1 Cor. 13:8-10; 2 Tim. 2:2 Organization of the Church

Final Principles: negative “An ‘episcopal’ form of church government in which a bishop rules a diocese of churches is both unscriptural and anti- scriptural. Bishops are overseers of a local church.” “A ‘presbytery’ form of government in which a national assembly of elders meet annually to decide church policy for all local congregations has no Bible authority.” “A ‘pope’ who claims to be head of bishop of the church universal and asserts infallible authority over local churches is assuming a role given only to the Lord Jesus Christ.” “A ‘mother’ church which maintains control over a newly formed local church and oversees and rules the ‘infant’ church finds no precedent in scriptural teaching or examples.” Organization of the Church

Final Principles: positive Other conclusions concerning the local church: Equal: all local churches stand on equal ground before the Lord Jesus: Rev. 2 & 3 Independent: all local churches are independent of one another; no centralized earthly authority; each are subject only to the Lord’s authority: Col. 3:17 Autonomous: each local church is ruled by its own elders who are subject to the “Chief Shepherd”: 2 Jn. 9 Organization of the Church

Conclusion The New Testament presents a clear pattern for the organization of both the universal and local church: Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18; 1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 5:30; Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11; Phil. 1:1 Local churches can exist without elders and deacons, but it is not God’s desire: Titus 1:5 We should notice the organization of the New Testament church is very different from the denominational churches of men.