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Foundations of Faith
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Lesson 29: Church Organization

The apostasy from apostolic Christianity began as early as the second century. In no way was this departure more evident than in changes in church organization. Many other alterations in the divine plan have been made since then, and therefore a careful study of the structure of the early church is desirable.

CHRIST, THE HEAD. The New Testament church is not a democracy. It is a monarchy with Jesus as the absolute king. "And he is the head of the body, the church." (Col. 1:18.) The supremacy of his authority is stated in the Great Commission. "And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth." (Matt. 28:18 -- A.S.V.) Since his authority is absolute, the worship, organization, and work of each congregation must be governed by the teachings of Jesus and his divinely commissioned apostles. These are found in the New Testament. No local church should follow any teaching not sanctioned by Christ.

THE APOSTLES. In giving the body of New Testament teachings, the apostles acted under authority from the Lord. The apostleship was a temporary office intended to lay the groundwork of the church which was "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." (Eph. 2:20.) Of the apostles, only Judas Iscariot was replaced after his death (by Matthias), that because he had committed suicide prior to the establishment of the church. (See Acts 1.) Paul was a special apostle with a special commission to take the gospel to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:15.) He was not one of the twelve. With the death of the last of the apostles near the end of the first century, their work was completed.

CONGREGATIONAL AUTONOMY. In the first century each congregation was completely independent, subject only to Jesus as the head of the church. There was no hierarchy with authority over the local church. However, this does not mean that there was a lack of fellowship and cooperation among congregations. They were united by love, and assisted one another as occasion demanded. When a famine arose in Judea, the church in Antioch sent help to the elders by Paul and Barnabas. (Acts 11:29,30.) A few years later Paul traveled among the churches he had established, asking for contributions for the saints in Jerusalem. (1 Cor. 16:1.3; Romans 15:25,26.) Yet in all of this each church maintained its autonomy and no super organization was established.

ORGANIZATION OF THE CONGREGATION. As soon as possible after their establishment, churches of the first century were organized. Paul and Barnabas planted churches in Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. (Acts 13, 14.) Later, they returned to these congregations and appointed elders. (Acts 14:23.) Before this happened these were scriptural congregations. A church may biblically exist without elders, but as soon as qualified men are available they should be appointed. Elders were appointed in the first century by preachers of the gospel. Paul wrote the young preacher Titus, "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee." (Titus 1:5.) (To ordain is to appoint.) When seven men were chosen to care for the Grecian widows in the Jerusalem church, they were selected by the body of Christians, but specifically appointed by the apostles. (Acts 6:3.)

Two offices existed in the congregation -- elders and deacons. The elders were also called bishops (or overseers), and pastors.

THE WORK AND QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS. The elders are the shepherds of the flock. Into their hands has been committed the welfare of the congregation. Peter admonishes bishops, "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:2, 3.) Elders are overseers, not dictators. Yet we are told, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." (1 Tim. 5:17.) Therefore it is their responsibility to govern the church, and having taken into consideration the needs of its members, to make the final decisions which will shape the spiritual destiny of the body. They are to be teachers. Paul addressed the Ephesian elders, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28.)

The qualifications of elders, which Paul says are "musts," are given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Read these passages carefully. Space does not allow extensive comment on these qualifications, but notice of a few of them should be made. A bishop must be apt (or able) to teach. He must "be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." (Titus 1:9.) Many fine Christian men who are otherwise qualified are not competent to teach and should not be made elders. A bishop must also rule well his own house. He is to have faithful (or believing as rendered in the A.S.V.) children. Paul explains that a man's family is his proving ground. "For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" (1 Tim. 3:5.) Moreover, he must not be a novice. A beginner in the Christian faith usually does not have the knowledge, and certainly does not possess the experience to shepherd the flock of Christ.

RELATIONSHIP OF MEMBERS TO ELDERS. Since the elders are their spiritual shepherds, the members should be subject to them. We read, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." (Heb. 13:17.) Although Christians may occasionally doubt the wisdom of the decisions of the elders, they should submit themselves and not rebel. When elders lack in discretion or zeal the fault usually lies in the selection of unqualified men for that office. It is important to select only men who possess the qualifications given by the Holy Spirit.

THE WORK AND QUALIFICATION OF DEACONS. The scriptures tell us little about the work of deacons. The Greek word from which our word deacon is derived means servant. It is elsewhere translated minister. Sometimes it is used in the general sense of "servant" while on other occasions it refers to a specific function in the church. From the definition we conclude that deacons are to act as servants rather than shepherds as is true of elders. In Acts 6 we read that seven men were appointed by the apostles to care for the needs of the widows of the Grecian Jewish Christians. Although they are not called such in this chapter, the work which they performed would indicate that they were deacons. Their specific responsibility was to minister to the needs of members of the church while the apostles confined themselves to the spiritual oversight. Thus it appears that deacons have the responsibility of looking after matters to which they are assigned by the elders.

The qualifications of deacons are discussed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. They are similar to those required by elders, the chief distinction being that deacons do not have to be able to teach. Otherwise they are to possess the same high moral characteristics stipulated for bishops.

THE WORK OF EVANGELISTS. When Paul came to Caesarea he "entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him." (Acts 21:8.) Paul wrote Timothy, "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." (2 Tim. 4:5.) An evangelist is a preacher of the gospel. The word is used in the scriptures to designate preachers without respect to whether they confine their work to one locality or travel from place to place. Paul did both. Much of his time was spent in going from city to city establishing new congregations. Yet he remained a year and a half in Corinth (Acts 18:11) and three years in Ephesus. (Acts 20:31.)

Paul outlines the work of an evangelist in his epistles to two young gospel preachers -- Timothy and Titus. Timothy is charged, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, with all long-suffering and doctrine." (2 Tim. 4:2.) Evangelists are to establish new churches, strengthen established churches, and proclaim the word of God wherever opportunity affords itself. They may labor with congregations having elders as Timothy did with the church in Ephesus. (See Acts 20:17 and 1 Timothy 1:3.) However, in this capacity they should not usurp the work or authority of the bishops. An evangelist is not a pastor or shepherd unless he serves in the dual role of elder and preacher as did Peter. (1 Peter 5:1.) He should be subject to the discipline and direction of the elders and ought not to be held in higher esteem than the bishops by members of the church. When the initiative for new works must aways come from a preacher rather than the elders, or when a preacher has the prime responsibility for shepherding the flock, it indicates that he is doing the work of an elder rather than an evangelist. Moreover, if the congregation is unable to provide its own talent for preaching and edification in the absence of an evangelist, it is an indication that elders are failing in their responsibility to feed the flock. And when members will not worship unless they like the speaker, it shows that they are more wedded to a man than to Christ. These are danger signs of which to be aware.

Jesus forbids the use of titles of distinction by evangelists or anyone else. "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ." (Matt. 23:8-10.) In these verses Jesus condemns not just the three titles specifically mentioned, but other titles of distinction such as "Reverend." In this, as in all other things, let us hold fast to the "faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3.)

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES

Circle the correct letter:

1. The church is a:
(c) monarchy.
2. First century congregations were united by:
(b) love;
3. Elders are to:
(a) feed the flock;
4. Christians should:
(a) be subject to the elders;
5. Deacons are appointed to:
(b) serve;
6. An evangelist is a:
(b) preacher of the gospel;
7. The responsibility for directing the church is that of:
(b) the bishops;

WHO--

1. Is the head of the church?
Christ
2. Was charged by Christ with the responsibility of setting forth the teachings of the early church?
apostles
3. Was a special apostle?
Paul
4. Appointed elders in Iconium?
Paul and Barnabas
5. Are shepherds of the flock?
bishops or elders
6. Are servants in the church?
deacons
7. Are known as evangelists?
preachers of the gospel

Read 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 and answer the questions:

1. Is it proper for a man to desire to be a bishop?
yes
2. Who was told to ordain elders in every city?
Titus
3. What does Paul call the office of a bishop?
a good work
4. How many wives is a bishop to have?
one
5. Of what are his children not to be accused?
riot
6. Why must a bishop have his own house in subjection?
if he does not know how to rule his own house he can't take care of the church
7. What qualification given by Titus expresses the thought that an elder must not always insist on having his own way?
not selfwilled
8. What phrase in Timothy mentions an elder's teaching ability?
apt to teach
9. What expression teaches that a deacon must not be a money lover?
not greedy of filthy lucre
10. What word implies that deacons are to be serious minded?
grave

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