Transcript Organization Of The Church 1

Organization Of The
Church
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Introduction
• The church is divine in origin
• Mt. 16:18
• Christ built his church and it was
established on Pentecost of Acts 2
• Christ is King over the
church/kingdom and has
determined how the church is to be
organized!
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One Head/One King = Christ
• Mt. 28:18
• Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4
• The church has no earthly
headquarters
• We take our instructions from
Christ
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One Head/One King = Christ
• In our preaching, work and worship
we must follow the teaching of
Christ
• Jn. 16:13
• God the Father ---Christ ---Holy
Spirit--- Apostles and & other
inspired writers----Word of God
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One Head/One King = Christ
• There is no pope, council,
conference, or group of people
controlling all the congregations of
the Lord’s church
• WE FOLLOW CHRIST OUR KING
WHO REIGNS FROM HEAVEN!
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Elders
• Acts 14:23
• Titus 1:5
• They are called pastors, shepherds,
overseers, bishops, presbyters
• The elders are the PASTORS of the
local congregation
• Pastor is never used as a title for
the preacher in the N.T.
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Elders
• The qualifications are given in 1
Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-13
• Must have more than one elder
serving in a local congregation
• Elders are to guide, guard, feed,
disciplne and rule the flock
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Elders
• A church with qualified elders “is
under the direction of a group of
men who have proven by
experience that they live the
Christian life, possess a knowledge
of the Bible, and are wise.” James
Meadows
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Deacons
• Phil. 1:1
• Their qualifications are listed in 1
Tim. 3:8-13
• The general meaning of the word
deacon is attendant, servant, or
minister
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Deacons
• Only men can serve as deacons
• They are assigned scriptural work
by the elders
• Benevolence, teaching, seeing to
the building, VBS, etc.
• The deacons do not run the affairs
of the church
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Deacons
• The church is not under elders and
deacons
• The deacons serve the Lord, his
church, assist the elders etc.
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Preachers
• All members are under the
eldership, including the preacher
• The responsibility of the preacher is
to is to “preach the word”
• 2 Tim. 4:2, 5; 2:2
• In the N.T. preachers are never
called by the title “Pastor”,
“Doctor”, “Reverend” or “Father”
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Members
• These are individuals who have
heard the word of God and have
obeyed the gospel
• Acts 2:37-38, 47
• Every member is to serve God to
the best of their ability---GIVING
GOD THE GLORY
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Members
• Rom. 12:4-5
• “There is a work each member is to
do, and which each must do….the
work of each member is essential,
and is for the benefit of the whole
body.” Roy Deaver as quoted by James
Meadows
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Members
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Members are to:
Obey the elders
Heb. 13:17
Teach the lost
Acts 8:4
Practice “pure religion”
Js. 1:27
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Conclusion
• The organization of the N.T. church
is made up of both a divine side and
a human side
• God—Christ---Holy Spirit—
Apostles—Written Word of God
• Elders—deacons—preachers and
members
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References
• Tract from Truth For The World entitled “The
Organization of the Church”
• Chart by Donnie Barnes
• Article by James Meadows
Organization of the Church