Baptist Distinctive's (2)

A- Autonomy of the Local Church

The Explanation of Autonomy

What is Autonomy

Before we can understand what Autonomy is we must understand what a church is.

A church in the greek “ekklesia”

It means “a called out assembly for a purpose”

The Meaning of Autonomous

So what does autonomy mean?

noun, plural au·ton·o·mies.

independence or freedom

the condition of being autonomous; self-government or the right of self-government:

a self-governing community.

a. We are Self-Supporting

We are completely funded by the members of Victory. We don not have outside support.

When a church is planted it does not become fully autonomous until it is able to self support. While the new church is being funded by other churches the new church has the responsibility to report back to the supporting churches.

b. We Are Self-Propagating

We do not rely on a committee or board to reproduce churches.

Paul was sent out by the church, but he went where God wanted him to go and started churches in those locations

c. We Are Self-Governing

No outside entity governs us.

We do not have to ask another church for permission to do something, we do not have to explain to any one what or why we are doing something. The only head we have is Christ.

The Mandate to be Autonomous

Christ and Scripture clearly state we are to be independent from any other ruling authority except for Christ.

Christ is the head of the Global Church(Church Universal)

Matthew 28:18 KJV 1900

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Matthew 16:18 KJV 1900

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Christ is the head of the Gathered Church(Local Assembly)

Colossians 1:18 KJV 1900

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Ephesians 1:22–23 KJV 1900

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

The Effectiveness of Autonomy

The Effects of Ignoring Autonomy

When the autonomy of the church is ignored then you get denominations

All denominations can be broken up into three categories

Episcopalian Church Government

(key word: Bishop. From the greek “episkopos” meaning overseer.

Some denominations that are included in this type of church government

Anglican

Lutheran

Assemblies of God

Episcopalian

Catholic

The Weakness in this type of church government

Fails to account adequately for the priesthood of all believers

Fails to properly engage laity in significant parts ministry

Often espouses an unbiblical concept of Apostolic or Bishopric Succession

No biblical support for this type of government

Presbyterian Church Government

(key word: Elder From the Greek “presbyteros”)

There is a Four-tier hierarchy

Congregation

The Session (local)

The Presbytery (region)

The General Assembly (the highest “court of appeals”)

Most churches with this style government are considered “Presbyterian”

The Weakness of this type of church government

Great variation in doctrine

No scripture evidence to support this type of government

Some use Acts 15 as an argument for this type of church government. If anything Acts 15 is evidence against having a governing authority over the church.

Opens the door for to much control from upper authorities

having higher “courts” says to the local church that you do not know how to govern so we will do it.

iv. Church Discipline is left up to the governing authorities and in most cases, members are never disciplined if needed.

Congregational Church Government

Congregationalism locates the authority of the church in each local body of believers.

No person or organization is above or over it except the Lord Jesus Christ alone as its head

a. There are two types

i. Single Pastor Control (“president” style)

ii. Congregation Control (“democracy” style)

Both of these can be taken to the extreme if not guided by scripture.

Scripture has one account after another of a combination of both.

b. Congregationalism represented the earliest form of church government

Acts 6:1-7; Acts 11:22

Acts 11:22 KJV 1900

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

Acts 14:27 KJV 1900

And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Acts 15;

1 Cor. 5; 6; 7-12; 16; 2 Cor. 2

c. Congregationalism also holds to a Sola scriptura

The Bible as the very Word of God was the believer’s sole authority for faith and practice.

It teaches him what to believe and how to live. God has located ultimate and final authority in his infallible and inerrant Word (Matt. 5:17–18; John 10:35; 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Pet. 1:20–21

d. The Weakness of this style government

i. Single Pastor

lack of checks and balances

Opens the door for authoritarian rule

ii. Congregation

lack of biblical leadership

Opens the door to a “Kore” type mentality

Discipline is sometimes overlooked for those that “run” the church

So what is the best type of church government?

A combination of both single pastor led and congregation “oversight”.

Checks and Balances

Keeps any one person from becoming authoritarian

The Effects of Implementing Church Autonomy

Not Restricted in Our Practice

Every autonomous church has the right to practice their faith how they see fit. Not saying all autonomous churches are correct, but regardless if they are correct, being autonomous gives the local church the freedom to decided what they will do or not do.

Not Restricted in Our Property

Every autonomous church has the right to use their property how ever they would like, and if the church sells, or changes denomination, the church keeps the property. The property belongs to the local church not some district of churches or convention of churches.

Not Restricted in Our People

We decided who joins the membership. If you are autonomous then you set the qualifications for membership. Again, some churches may be in error when it comes to what they think are the right qualifications to join the membership, but regardless that is a freedom that an autonomous church has.

Not Restricted in our Purpose

An autonomous church is not restricted in what their purpose should be. All churches that are “overseen” by a convention have to have the same purpose as the governing authority. They cant decided on the missionaries that they support, or the ministries that they provide. All of that is determined by the governing authority.

We do not pay our tithes to an organization

We do not have to ask for permission to do what we want

Not Restricted by Priesthood

Most non-congregational churches do not believe in the priesthood of the believer. They believe that there should be someone that talks to God for each believer. They almost hold to the Mosaic type belief.

Congregational type churches hold to the belief that each born again believer has the same access as a minister.

The only thing that limits you is you.

So, Autonomy of the local church is not only the best way to run a church it is also biblical.