2. “Upon this rock, I will build my church” Jesus said: Thus, this is the Lord’s church Thus, this is the Lord’s church Since Jesus is Divine – it is a Divine institution Since Jesus is Divine – it is a Divine institution Matt. 16:18

3. Old Testament New Testament Church Promised (Mt. 16:18) Church Built (Act 2:47) Thus, It is the New Testament Church! Not built upon OT (Mt. 5) Is built upon NT (2 Cor 3)

4. I. Jesus is the Only Head It’s Standard and Discipline II. OT is Not Her Law III. Bible (NT) is Her Only Guide IV. Application & Meaning

5. I. Origin of the NT Church Origin and Establishment II. Establishment of the NT Church

6. I. The Saved Its Nature II. The Church III. The Body IV. The Kingdom V. The House VI. The Temple VII. The Bride

7. Its Organization

8. How is it structured?How is it structured? How is it governed?How is it governed? Is there some universal organization?Is there some universal organization? Is there a headquarters?Is there a headquarters? How does a congregation get its direction?How does a congregation get its direction?

9. I. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses Its Organization

10. I. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses Universal All the saved over the world Matt. 16:18 Eph. 1:22-23 Local The saved in a certain locale 1 Cor. 1:2 Rev. 2-3

11. How We Harmonize One Church (Eph. 4:4) Churches (Rom. 16:16)

12. Local Churches Rom. 16:16 Local Churches Rom. 16:16 Antioch (Acts 13:1) Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2) Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1) Philippi (Phil. 1:1) Ephesus (Rev. 2:1) Smyrna (Rev. 2:8) Pergamos (Rev. 2:12) Thyatira (Rev. 2:18) Sardis (Rev. 3:1) Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7) Laodicea (Rev. 3:14) Thessalonica (1 Thess. 1:1) Crete (Titus 1:5) Iconium (Acts 14:23) Derbe (Acts 14:23) Lystra (Acts 14:23)

13. I. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses Its Organization II. Universally – No Organization

14. A.No earthly organization 1.No role for man to fill 2.No position for man to hold 3.No central organization – headquarters 4.Consist of Church & Christ as head (Eph. 5:23) Reason: Just not in the Bible  If not there – not will of God (Heb. 7:14)  If not there – can’t be taught (1 Pet. 4:11)

15. II. Universally – No Organization A.No earthly organization B.No work to be done C.No treasury from which to function

16. I. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses Its Organization II. Universally – No Organization III. Local Church Organization

17. Universal Only one (Eph. 4:4) No organization No work as a whole No treasuryDistinctions Local Many (Rom. 16:16) Elders (Phil. 1:1) Work (Eph. 4:16) Treasury (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

18. III. Local Church Organization A.The Organization: 1.Elders, deacons & saints (Phil. 1:1) 2.No board – no committees 3.The local church is the only functioning unit of the church

19. III. Local Church Organization A.The Organization: B.Elders 1.What they are called

20. TermsThatReferToTheElders  Presbuterion Means: 1. Eldership; elderhood, etc. 2. One older - “bearded one” 3. Suggests maturity in judgment/ experience / wisdom Translated 1. Elder (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 5:1, 17) 2. Presbyter (1 Tim. 4:14)

21. TermsThatReferToTheElders  Presbuterion  Episcopos Means 1. Overseer, superintendant 2. One charged with duty of seeing that things are done by others (Thayer) 3. Epi = over; skep = to look at Translated 1. Overseeer (Acts 20:28) 2. Bishop (1 Tim. 3:1)

22. TermsThatReferToTheElders  Presbuterion  Episcopos  Poiman Means 1. One who keeps, guards sheep. 2. To feed flock. 3. Work of shepherd: feed, guard, guide & protect Translated 1. Shepherd - feed (Acts 20:28) 2. Pastor (Eph. 4:11)

23. TermsThatReferToTheElders Elder / Presbyter Maturity Overseer / Bishop Administrative Role Shepherd / Pastor Teaching Role

24. TermsThatReferToTheElders All Three Terms In Acts 20 Elders (v. 17) Elders (v. 17) Overseers (v. 28) Overseers (v. 28) Feed (v. 28) Feed (v. 28)

25. III. Local Church Organization A.The Organization: B.Elders 1.What they are called 2.Elders in every church (Acts 14:23) 3.To be a plurality (Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23) 4.Work they do Oversee (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-2) Watch for souls (Heb. 13:17) Feed the flock (Acts 20:28)

26. III. Local Church Organization A.The Organization: B.Elders 1.What they are called 2.Elders in every church (Acts 14:23) 3.To be a plurality (Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23) 4.Work they do 5.Qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-7)

27. 1. A Man (1 Tim. 3:1; Tit. 1:6) 2. Desire the office (1 Tim. 3:1) 3. Blameless (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6) 4. Husband - one wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6) 5. Faithful children (1 Tim. 3:4; Tit. 1:6) 6. Vigilant (1 Tim. 3:2) 7. Temperate (Tit. 1:8) 8. Sobor (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8) 9. Of Good Behavior (1 Tim. 3:2) 10. Given To Hospitality (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8) 11. Apt to Teach (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:9) 12. Of Good Report (1 Tim. 3:7) 13. Not Given to Wine (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7) 14. Not a Striker (1 Tim. 3:3;Tit. 1:7) Qualifications of Elders

28. 15. Not Greedy (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7) 16. Patient (1 Tim. 3:3) 17. Not a Brawler (1 Tim. 3:3) 18. Not Covetous (1 Tim. 3:3) 19. Not a Novice (1 Tim. 3:6) 20. Not Self-Willed (Tit. 1:7) 21. Not Soon Angry (Tit. 1:7) 22. Lover of Good Men (Tit. 1:8) 23. Just (Tit. 1:8) 24. Holy (Tit. 1:8) Qualifications of Elders

29. III. Local Church Organization A.The Organization: B.Elders C.Deacons 1.Word “deacon” means servant or minister 2.Serve under the oversight of elders

30. No Authority Except - Delegated EldersAuthority“oversee” (Acts 20:28) “Rule” (Heb. 13:17) EldersAuthority“oversee” (Acts 20:28) “Rule” (Heb. 13:17) Deacon Under Elders very term suggests“submission”Deacon Under Elders very term suggests“submission”

31. III. Local Church Organization A.The Organization: B.Elders C.Deacons 1.Word “deacon” means servant or minister 2.Serve under the oversight of elders 3.Example of how deacons work (Acts 6:1-6)

32. 1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution (diakonia). 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve (diakoneo) tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry (diakonia) of the word.“ Acts 6

33. III. Local Church Organization A.The Organization: B.Elders C.Deacons 1.Word “deacon” means servant or minister 2.Serve under the oversight of elders 3.Example of how deacons work (Acts 6:1-6) 4.Qualifications (1 Tim. 3:8-13)

34. Reverent Not Given - Wine Hold Mystery Blameless Rule Children & Houses Well Wife - Faithful Not Double Tongued Not Greedy Tested Husband Qualifications of a Deacon

35. III. Local Church Organization A.The Organization: B.Elders C.Deacons D.Each Local Church is Autonomous

36. Local Church Local Church Local Church No Authority Local Church Autonomy Limitation of Elders’ Authority Elders Local Church Oversight Limited To This 1 Pet. 5:1-4 Acts 20:28

37. I. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses Its Organization II. Universally – No Organization III. Local Church Organization