“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 Phil. 1:1

PresbyteriesSynods

Councils

Conferences

General Assemblies

Men make their own rules and lawsMen make their own rules and laws

Preacher – minister – elderPreacher – minister – elder

Overseer Overseer

Ruler of the churchRuler of the church

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

Deacons onlyDeacons only

No eldersNo elders

No record of a church with No record of a church with deacons and no eldersdeacons and no elders

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...”

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

Acts 11:30Qualifications – 1 Tim. 3:1-7Acts 20:28 – overseersTit. 1:5-7 – bishopsActs 20:28 - pastors

OverseeFeedWatch

Appointed a plurality of elders in every single congregationNOT one elder over one churchNOT one elder over many

churchesNOT an eldership over many

churches2 OR MORE elders over one 2 OR MORE elders over one

congregationcongregation

Book of Acts

Phil. 1:1Qualifications – 1 Tim. 3:8-13Not the same as elders

- Serve- Minister to- Wait on

“Saints” Phil. 1:1Preacher or Minister or EvangelistBible class teachersSong leadersAll other membersGal. 3:26-29

Christ is the head of the church

(Eph. 1:22-23)

Elders 1 Pet. 5:1-4

Deacons Acts 6:1-6

Preachers2 Tim. 4:1-4

All MembersHeb. 10:22-25

Elders

Bishops over a plurality of congregation

’s

Bishop

A Bishop 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

Preachers2 Tim. 4:1-4

All MembersHeb. 10:22-

25

Organization of the Church in the Bible

Organization of Denominations

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

Preachers2 Tim. 4:1-4

All MembersHeb. 10:22-

25

Organization of the Church in the Bible

Organization of Denominations

• Apostasy often begins Apostasy often begins with changes in with changes in organization...organization...

• We want to be united We want to be united upon the scriptural upon the scriptural pattern.pattern.

• The organization of a The organization of a local church is a local church is a means of means of identification.identification.

• Organization reveals Organization reveals purpose...purpose...

Christ is the head of the church

(Eph. 1:22-23)

Elders 1 Pet. 5:1-4

Deacons Acts 6:1-6

Preachers2 Tim. 4:1-4

All MembersHeb. 10:22-

25

Organization of the Church in the Bible

• A failure to respect A failure to respect the divine pattern of the divine pattern of church organization:church organization:

Reflects our Reflects our attitude toward attitude toward the Lord & His the Lord & His pattern.pattern.

Fails to respect its Fails to respect its divine purposedivine purpose

Opens the door for Opens the door for widespread widespread apostasy.apostasy.

Christ is the head of the church

(Eph. 1:22-23)

Elders 1 Pet. 5:1-4

Deacons Acts 6:1-6

Preachers2 Tim. 4:1-4

All MembersHeb. 10:22-

25

Organization of the Church in the Bible

Should every congregationhave elders ?

Yes

Acts 15:6

Acts 14:23 “in every church”

Tit. 1:5 “in every city”

Suppose there are noqualified men ?

Cannot appoint

Better to be scripturally unorganized than unscripturally organized!

Must a congregation obeyits elders ?

Yes - Heb. 13:17

Some not qualified discourage appointment

Members must submit

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

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

Preachers2 Tim. 4:1-4

All MembersHeb. 10:22-

25

• HearHear John 12:48John 12:48

• BelieveBelieve John 8:24John 8:24

• RepentRepent Luke 13:3Luke 13:3

• ConfessConfess Matt. 10:32-33Matt. 10:32-33

• BaptizedBaptized Mark 16:16Mark 16:16

• FaithfulFaithful Matt. 24:13Matt. 24:13

GOD’S SIMPLE PLAN FOR SALVATION