Ephesians 1:22-23

Previous Studies  Bible Authority  Differences of the Old & New Testaments  Origin of the church

Ephesians 1:22-23 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

The Name of the Church  Church – Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

The Name of the Church  Churches of Christ – Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

The Name of the Church  Church of God – 1 Cor. 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

The Name of the Church  Church = Body – Eph. 1:22-23 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

The Name of the Church  House of God – 1Timothy 3:15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

The Name of the Church  Church – Mt. 16:18  Churches of Christ – Romans 16:16  Church of God – 1 Cor. 1:2  Church = Body – Eph. 1:22-23  House of God – 1Tim. 3:15

Head of the church & the headquarters of the church  Authority in Heaven & on Earth Matthew 28:18 & Eph 1:22 Christ is the head of the church, Christ is in heaven, thus the headquarters of the church is in heaven.

Organization of the Church  Elders 1 Peter 5:1-4 1 Peter 5:1-4

Organization of the Church - Elders The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Organization of the Church  Elders 1 Peter 5:1-4 1 Peter 5: Timothy 3:1-7 - Acts 20:28 - Philippians 1:1

Organization of the Church  Elders  Deacons 1 Timothy 3: Timothy 3:8-13

Organization of the Church - Deacons Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double- tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Organization of the Church - Deacons For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. – 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Organization of the Church  Elders  Deacons  Evangelists 2 Timothy 4:5 2 Timothy 4:5 1 Timothy 4:6 1 Timothy 4:6

Organization of the Church - Evangelists But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. - 2 Timothy 4:5 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. - 1 Timothy 4:6

Organization of the Church  Elders  Deacons  Evangelists  Members 1 Corinthians 12:27 1 Corinthians 12:27 Acts 11:26 Acts 11:26 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 1 Corinthians 12:27 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 1 Corinthians 12:27

Organization of the Church - Members Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. - 1 Corinthians 12:27 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. – Acts 11:26

Organization of the Church - Members For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. - 1 Corinthians 12:27

Organization of the Church Head of the Church - Christ  Elders  Deacons  Evangelists  Members

Application for us today.  With all the names that congregations go by today, we must know which is actually carrying the Biblical name. Only the church with the right name can be pleasing to God. Only the church with the right name can be pleasing to God. Think about it! Would you be happy with your wife having someone else’s last name? Think about it! Would you be happy with your wife having someone else’s last name? Why would Christ be pleased with a church wearing a name that is not His? Why would Christ be pleased with a church wearing a name that is not His?

Application for us today.  The Bible clearly shows how the church must be organized. Is your local church organized in the Biblical way? Is your local church organized in the Biblical way? Adding positions and offices the Bible doesn’t mention would violate God’s organization of the church. Adding positions and offices the Bible doesn’t mention would violate God’s organization of the church.

What about where you attend?  Is your local congregation following the Biblical organization?  Do you want to be led by a person(s) who is in a position that is unbiblical?