1. autos – self ~ nomos – law
Congregational
Autonomy
autos – self ~ nomos – law
Self governing. Freedom from external control or influence; independent
The concept of Congregational Autonomy is clearly established in scripture
It is, however, one of the most misunderstood or disregarded truths historically – Leading to many destructive and unscriptural concepts and practices.
As Christians make an appeal to God’s word for our authority and practice, an understanding of authority is extremely important.
First step - define
The English words autonomy and autonomous are not found in scripture. In fact, the words themselves originate in the 17th century.
As with many English words, the origin of the terms are found in the Greek language (autos – self; nomos – law)
Definition: Self governing. Freedom from external control or influence. Independent.
As it pertains to the Lord’s church, the concept is this:
Christ organized His church into local congregations, each independent of other congregations
Self rule exists in the sense of each congregation making independent decisions regarding its work and worship
The extent of the rule of an eldership is over the local congregation. No intercongregational oversight is revealed in scripture.
Autonomy does NOT mean that each congregation is free to do as it wishes. All are constrained by the authority and will of Jesus Christ.
Consider a few scriptures which establish these truths:

2. Congregational Autonomy
Congregational independence & Self Rule
Philippians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
As it pertains to the Lord’s church, the concept is this:
Christ organized His church into local congregations, each independent of other congregations
Demonstrated in the Philippians autonomous decision to support Paul, when other congregations did not
(Philippians 4:15-16), “Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.”
This concept of self rule is autonomy. It exists in the sense of each congregation making independent decisions regarding its work and worship
Consider the fact that the act of withdrawal is done on a congregational level (using the Corinthians as an example)
(1 Corinthians 5:1-5), “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father's wife! 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

3. Congregational Autonomy
Congregational independence & Self Rule
Philippians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
Local oversight
1 Peter 5:2-3; Acts 20:28
As it pertains to the Lord’s church, the concept is this:
The extent of the rule of an eldership is over the local congregation. No intercongregational oversight is revealed in scripture.
(1 Peter 5:2-3), “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Consider the call of Peter for elders to be examples to the flock. This can practically be fully done only at the congregational level.
(Acts 20:28), “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [church at Ephesus], to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

4. Congregational Autonomy
Congregational independence & Self Rule
Philippians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
Local oversight
1 Peter 5:2-3; Acts 20:28
The authority of Jesus Christ
Ephesians 1:22-23; James 4:12
As it pertains to the Lord’s church, the concept is this:
Autonomy does NOT mean that each congregation is free to do as it wishes. All are constrained by the authority and will of Jesus Christ.
(Ephesians 1:22-23), “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
(James 4:12), “There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?”
Congregations only have discretion to make decisions within what Jesus Christ has legislated
Autonomy is NOT permission to do whatever you want to do!
Properly put: Autonomy allows a local congregation to faithfully discharge its duties to the Lord, even if every other congregation on earth departs from truth!

5. Autonomy - Historical Departures
Catholic and denominational centralization of church government
Institutionalism
Autonomy as a foil to unity
Autonomy used to squash legitimate criticism
Catholic church heirarchical structure is copied from the Roman Empire, not God’s word (Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons). Many denominations have similar denomination wide oversight. (General Council of the Methodist church; synods, councils, conventions).
Allows for legislation, which is the unique purview of Jesus Christ. Unscriptural decisions at the intercongregational level leads an entire denomination further into apostasy.
Proof is in the pudding. Look at the wholesale doctrinal apostasy that is characteristic of Catholicism and protestant denominationalism.
[CLICK] Brethren have been troubled as well (Human institutions; Sponsoring church arrangement)
The American missionary society took decision making in the form of decisions about evangelism away from the local congregation.
The sponsoring church arrangement has a sponsoring eldership overseeing a work that is sponsored by other congregations.
[CLICK] At the opposite end, some today claim that as long as we have autonomy, we can not have unity in doctrine.
While it is true that some congregations may depart from sound doctrine, it has always been God’s intention that we all “speak the same thing” and be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10)
Unity and autonomy are not contrary to one another. We should not use autonomy to champion doctrinal differences, because autonomy doesn’t allow us to depart from the words of our Lord.
[CLICK] The idea that because we are autonomous, we are immune to criticism from other Christians is not so.
Truth does not violate autonomy!
(1 Corinthians 4:17) [That’s why Paul was within his rights to send Timothy to instruct the Corinthians in the way of righteousness], “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.”

6. Conclusion
Autonomy allows a local congregation to do God’s will, regardless of what others may do!
As it pertains to the Lord’s church, the scriptural concept of autonomy equips a local congregation the authority and means to do God’s will, regardless of what others do!
There were problems with the 7 churches of Asia
Ephesus had left her first love; Pergamos had in their number some who held the doctrine of Balaam; Thyatira had a woman among them who taught false doctrine, leading to immorality; Sardis had a name that it was a living congregation when in reality it was dead; The Laodiceans were lukewarm.
BUT, the church in Philadelphia was faithful!
(Revelation 3:10-11), “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
May we, as an autonomous congregation, receive the same commendation as Philadelphia.
(Revelation 3:12-13), “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”