1. Phil. 1:1 “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

2. Presbyteries Synods Councils Conferences General Assemblies Men make their own rules and laws

3.  Preacher – minister – elder  Overseer  Ruler of the church

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

5.  Deacons only  No elders  No record of a church with deacons and no elders

6. Col. 1:18 “ And He is the head of the body, the church ” Eph. 1:22-23 “...God gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body... ”

7.  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 Book of Acts

8.  Acts 11:30  Qualifications – 1 Tim. 3:1-7  Acts 20:28 – overseers  Tit. 1:5-7 – bishops  Acts 20:28 - pastors Oversee Feed Watch

9. Appointed a plurality of elders in every single congregation NOT one elder over one church NOT one elder over many churches NOT an eldership over many churches 2 OR MORE elders over one congregation 2 OR MORE elders over one congregation Book of Acts

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

11.  “Saints” Phil. 1:1  Preacher or Minister or Evangelist  Bible class teachers  Song leaders  All other members  Gal. 3:26-29

12. Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23) Elders 1 Pet. 5:1-4 Deacons Acts 6:1-6 Preachers 2 Tim. 4:1-4 All Members Heb. 10:22-25

13. Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22- 23) Elders 1 Pet. 5:1-4 Deacons Acts 6:1-6 Preachers 2 Tim. 4:1-4 All Members Heb. 10:22- 25 Organization of the Church in the Bible Organization of Denominations

14. Pastor A single man over a single congregation Council A group over a plurality of congregation’s Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22- 23) Elders 1 Pet. 5:1-4 Deacons Acts 6:1-6 Preachers 2 Tim. 4:1-4 All Members Heb. 10:22- 25 Organization of the Church in the Bible Organization of Denominations

15. Apostasy often begins with changes in organization...Apostasy often begins with changes in organization... We want to be united upon the scriptural pattern.We want to be united upon the scriptural pattern. The organization of a local church is a means of identification.The organization of a local church is a means of identification. Organization reveals purpose...Organization reveals purpose... Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22- 23) Elders 1 Pet. 5:1-4 Deacons Acts 6:1-6 Preachers 2 Tim. 4:1-4 All Members Heb. 10:22- 25 Organization of the Church in the Bible

16. A failure to respect the divine pattern of church organization:A failure to respect the divine pattern of church organization:  Reflects our attitude toward the Lord & His pattern.  Fails to respect its divine purpose  Opens the door for widespread apostasy. Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22- 23) Elders 1 Pet. 5:1-4 Deacons Acts 6:1-6 Preachers 2 Tim. 4:1-4 All Members Heb. 10:22- 25 Organization of the Church in the Bible

17. Should every congregation have elders ?  Yes  Acts 15:6  Acts 14:23 “in every church”  Tit. 1:5 “in every city”

18. Suppose there are no qualified men ?  Cannot appoint  Better to be scripturally unorganized than unscripturally organized !

19. Must a congregation obey its elders ?  Yes - Heb. 13:17  Some not qualified discourage appointment  Members must submit

20. Is it Necessary to appoint elders ?  Is he an elder when he does the work of an elder?  In N.T. they were appointed  Qualifications given

21.  Many want to ignore God’s laws about organization  Just as binding as any other law  God’s plan is Best Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22- 23) Elders 1 Pet. 5:1-4 Deacons Acts 6:1-6 Preachers 2 Tim. 4:1-4 All Members Heb. 10:22- 25

22. HearJohn 12:48HearJohn 12:48 BelieveJohn 8:24BelieveJohn 8:24 RepentLuke 13:3RepentLuke 13:3 ConfessMatt. 10:32-33ConfessMatt. 10:32-33 BaptizedMark 16:16BaptizedMark 16:16 FaithfulMatt. 24:13FaithfulMatt. 24:13 GOD’S SIMPLE PLAN FOR SALVATION