1. Welcome

2. Scriptural Organization
of the Church
“Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” Phil. 1:1 NKJV

3. Synods Presbyteries Conferences Councils General Assemblies
Men make their own rules and laws of organization

4. False ways of organizing
Pastor System
Preacher – minister – elder
Overseer
Ruler of the church

5. What is a Pastor ? Acts 20:28 - overseers Titus 1:5-7 - bishop / elder
Eph. 4:11 – “pastors”
feed, tend a flock
presiding officer, manager
director of any assembly
overseers of Christian assembly

6. False ways of organizing
Deacon System
Deacons only
No elders
No record of a church with deacons and no elders

7. God’s Way of Organizing
Christ is the Head
Col. 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church:”
Eph. 1:22, 23 “...gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body,...”

8. God’s Way of Organizing
Each local church is “self-governing” Autonomous
Make decisions and act on them as a free and independent body
Doesn’t need authority from another congregation to act
Never independent from the law of Christ

9. Elders Oversee Feed Watch Plurality Acts 11:30
Qualifications – 1 Tim. 3:1-7
Acts 20:28 – overseers
Tit. 1:5-7 – bishops
Eph. 4:11 - pastors
Oversee
Feed
Watch

10. Elders Appointed a plurality of elders in every single church!
NOT one elder over one church
NOT one elder over many churches
NOT an eldership over many churches
TWO OR MORE elders over one church

11. Deacons Serve Minister to Wait on Phil. 1:1
Qualifications – 1 Tim. 3:8-13
Not the same as elders

12. Members “Saints” Phil. 1:1 Preacher - minister- evangelist
Bible class teachers
Song leaders
All other members
Gal.3:26-29

13. Should every congregation have elders ?
Questions Often Asked
Should every congregation have elders ?
Yes !
Acts 14:23 “in every church”
Tit. 1:5 “in every city”

14. Suppose there are no qualified men ?
Questions Often Asked
Suppose there are no qualified men ?
Cannot appoint
Better to be scripturally unorganized than unscripturally organized !

15. Must a congregation obey its elders ?
Questions Often Asked
Must a congregation obey its elders ?
Yes - Heb. 13:17
Some not qualified discourage appointment
Members must submit

16. Is it Necessary to appoint elders ?
Questions Often Asked
Is it Necessary to appoint elders ?
Yes
Is he an elder when he does the work of an elder ?
In N.T. they were appointed
Qualifications given

17. What does it mean “Desire the office” ?
Questions Often Asked
What does it mean “Desire the office” ?
1 Tim. 3:1 “If a man desire”
Desire = to reach out after, to stretch forward to, to wish for
Not like a political office

18. Scriptural Organization
of the Church
Many want to ignore God’s laws about organization
Just as binding as any other law
God’s plan is Best

20. Nelson Chapel Church of Christ
5039 Six Mile Road
Maryville, Tn
April 15, 2018
Sermon by Arthur Pigman
2705 Druid Hill Dr.
Maryville, Tn
CCL