Congregational Government: Baptist Distinctives

It is true that we count votes, but we should also count perspectives. Some counsel should have more weight—like the pastor. Why? Maturity in the word and in doctrine. Experience of living out the Christian life.

We must develop the habit of talking carefully about issues and come out with concerns of all somewhat appeased.

It is the business of the pastor to teach the congregation biblical principles so that they can make wise decisions.

Congregational polity does not mean that the church has to vote on every question.

No BOARD in a baptist church. What is a board? Governing power. There is no deacon governing power in a congregational ruled church. The church as a whole is the governing power.

If the church as whole is the governing power in what sense does the pastor lead the church? And how does that work in relation to the congregation making the governing decisions?

Congregations Decide

Argument against- people are sheep and sheep are stupid and cannot run the church. How would you respond?

First, this argument fails to explain how elders/pastors/overseers, who are also counted as one of the Lord’s sheep, manage to escape from being one of the stupid sheep.

John 10:16 ESV

16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Second, one of the Baptist Distinctives answers this objection.

1. Authority of the New Testament (for church order and practice)

2. Believer Baptism (proper subjects, meaning, mode)

3. Pure Church Membership (Believing, Baptized, Covenanted Together)

4. Individual Christian Responsibility (Priesthood of the Believer, Soul Liberty)

5. Congregational Church Government

6. Separation of Church and State

What is Soul Liberty?

It is the responsibility that all believers share to understand and obey God’s requirements for themselves.

Soul liberty is not liberty to believe whatever one wishes to believe. It is liberty to believe what Scripture teaches. It is liberty to obey God.

The NT teaches that Christ has become wisdom from God to all believers, not just to elders. Every believer has the ability to make wise decisions. Baptists believe that the NT teaches that all church members posses the competence to make spiritual decisions.

1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

The Holy Spirit has been given to all believers for understanding, not just the pastor/elder/overseer.

1 Corinthians 2:12 ESV

12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

All believers, not just pastors/elders/overseers have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV

16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Even those who are least esteemed in the church have sufficient qualification to render judgment in disputes among brother.

1 Corinthians 6:4 ESV

4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church?

Argument against- Congregational government lends itself to pride, to conceit, and to no accountability. How would you respond?

If congregational rule is actually followed, and you don’t have a pastoral dictatorship, if the pastor takes seriously his role it is very humbling to train God’s people to make decisions.

Congregational Authority in the New Testament

Church in the NT chose its own servants and called them

Acts 6:1-6- calling the first deacons. The Apostles did take the leadership. Note- congregational polity does not mean the absence of church leadership. However, the congregation did the selecting. The congregation chose and the apostles ratified the decision.

Acts 6:3 ESV

3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

Acts 6:5–6 ESV

5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

Another example is Paul instructing Timothy to appoint elders in every town in the book of Titus.

Titus 1:5 ESV

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

Titus here is commanded by Paul to “appoint” elders. This looks like he is appointing the elders by himself. The verb used here however is the same verb used in Acts 6:3 where the apostles ratified the choice of deacons by the congregation. It does not rule out congregational polity.

Acts 6:3 (ESV)

3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

Titus 1:5 (ESV)

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

In 2 Corinthians 8:16-21 Paul received an offering from the churches all over Europe and Asia. Paul does not want to look like he is embezzling so the churches appointed a brother (chosen by the congregation) to travel with Paul.

2 Corinthians 8:19 ESV

19 And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.

Appointed / chosen- different word than in Acts 6 and Titus 1.

In Acts 11:2ff- the church bring Peter into account for what reason?

Acts 11:2–3 ESV

2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

How does Peter respond to this criticism? Peter is an apostle, he holds a high office within the church. But, Peter does not use his office as an apostle as an out. He does not claim superiority and refuse to submit himself to the judgment of the congregation. Instead he explains himself to the whole church.

Pastors must guard themselves against accusations- Two big ones? money and sexual misconduct.

When there is an accusation in the church the pastor should not attempt to pull rank.

Acts 11:18 ESV

18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Acts 13:1–3 ESV

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Who is the “they” in v. 3? Is it the pastor/elder/overseers of the church? Or is it the church as a whole? Almost certain it is the whole church sending Paul and Barnabas away. When Paul and Barnabas report back they give their report to the whole church.

Acts 14:23 ESV

23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Here we are told that they (Paul and Barnabas) appointed elders for them in every church. It appears that the congregation didn’t choose.

χειροτονέω- The verb used for “appointed” literally means “to raise the hand.” Likely that Paul or Barnabas conducted a church vote where the congregation raised their hands to choose elders. Even if they did actual appoint the elders, Paul was an apostle and had a different authority.

Local church kept track of its own members

Romans 14:1 ESV

1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

Church had the responsibility to welcome or receive members.

Romans 15:14 ESV

14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Instruct or admonish one another. The church needs to be in the position of being able to instruct and admonish its members. There has to be a way of determining who the “other” is. Speaking in terms of the local church that has to receive and admonish them.

1 Corinthians 5:12 ESV

12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

Congregation has the responsibility to readmit the repentant brother into the church.

2 Cor. 2 talking about readmitting the guy they cast out in I Cor 5. Some doubt if this is the same person. But 2 Cor 2 :9 seems to imply it is the same guy.

2 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

Basic problem now in the church at Corinth is a lack of forgiveness.

2 Corinthians 2:10–11 ESV

10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

So Paul states that the congregation as a whole is responsible to receive this guy back into the membership.

2 Corinthians 2:6–7 ESV

6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

Congregation is free to seek advice from other congregations (Acts 15)

Congregation is responsible for maintaining unity (I Cor 1:10ff)

1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Testimony of the local church in the NT evidences congregational polity (Didache 15)

Congregational government therefore means that under Christ, local churches must be goverened by the congregation and not by bishops, councils, colleges, committees, boards, elders, synods, district superintendents, general assemblies, conferences, associations, presbyteries, or popes. In the decisions of the local church, the congregation is answerable to Christ alone.

Pastoral Leadership

With such a strong emphasis on congregational rule, does that teaching diminish the spiritual leadership of the pastor? Do baptist churches devalue the role of pastoral leadership?

Actually, Baptists highly value the office of the pastor. We recognize that it is an office instituted by Christ and invested with the duty to lead.

So how do Pastors lead, how do they exercise biblical leadership if the congregations are the ones who make the decisions for the church?

Elder/Overseer/Pastor

Baptists hold to two official church offices: pastor and deacon.

There are several different words used in the NT to speak of the office of the pastor. Baptist believe that these three different terms all refer to the same office, the office of a pastor.

Acts 20:17 (ESV)

17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.

Notice that Paul called the “elders” of the church to come to him.

The term elder is the Greek word πρεσβύτερος. This title speaks of maturity and dignity. Pastors ought to have spiritual maturity and display a level of dignity in their lives. They also should be shown a certain level of respect by the church.

Acts 20:28 (ESV)

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Paul now states that the elders of v. 17 have been made “overseers” in the church by the Holy Spirit. Paul equates the office of elder with the office of overseer.

The term overseer is the Greek word ἐπίσκοπος. This title speaks to the idea of a chief administrator or ruler.

And finally Paul commands the elders/overseers to feed or shepherd the church of God.

Acts 20:28 (NASB95)

28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

The term care for/feed/shepherd is the verb form of the word ποιμαίν. This is the word we get pastor from. It means to shepherd the flock. It carries the idea of feeding the sheep.

So the elders are called overseers and are given the charge to shepherd the church. All three terms are used for the same office- the office of the pastor.

1 Peter 5:1 (ESV)

1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:

1 Peter 5:2 (ESV)

2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

Peter is speaking to elders (v.1) and he gives them the command to pastor or feed or shepherd the flock of God (v.2). He also commands them to oversee the church. This is the verbal form of the the noun overseer. So the elders of the church are given the responsibility of both pastor and overseer.

Baptists then believe that the terms pastor (shepherd), overseer, and elder all refer to the same office.

Titus 1:5–7 (ESV)

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

Here elders are also named overseers, thought the title pastor is not used.

For these reasons we conclude that every pastor is also an elder and an overseer. Every elder is also a pastor and a overseer. Every Overseer is also a pastor and an elder. We do not believe in elders who are not also pastors and overseers.

Some churches (even very likeminded churches, even some baptist churches) practice something called elder rule. These churches believe the NT teaches two offices of elder: the teaching elder (who is also a pastor, sometimes called minister of the Word) and the ruling elder (who is not a pastor).

So all pastors are also elders who rule, but not all ruling elders are pastors.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Those who hold to two offices of elder hold that this verse sets up a contrast between elders who rule and elders who teach.

So there are ruling elders. Some ruling elders rule simply, but some rule well. These are worthy of double honor. And then there are elders that teach and preach (they also rule), they are worthy of DOUBLE HONOR.

This is THE proof text for multiple kinds of elders. But, there is a simpler and equally as likely interpretation.

So the contrast is not between ruling elders and teaching elders. It is between elders who rule simply (adequately) and elders who rule well. The elders who rule well are “namely” those who labor in preaching and teaching. These elders are to receive double honor.

Both interpretations are possible, although I favor the second because it is less complicated. Only two categories (rule simply, rule well) not four (rule simply/well, teach simply/well). In any case this passage is ambiguous. It is not clear which interpretation is the correct one. Both are possible.

Important rule of hermeneutics: We do not determine our practical theology on the basis of ambiguous passages.

This is not enough evidence to support two kinds of elders. Instead we must allow the clear passages of Scripture to dictate our practice.

However, this text does help us to understand how pastors/elders/overseers rule within the church.

How do pastors lead a congregationally led church?

1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV)

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

By means of their preaching and teaching, pastors equip the church to make decisions for itself.

Pastoral Authority

First of all- what should pastoral authority not look like?

1 Peter 5:1–4 (ESV)

1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:

2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Pastors are not to rule over the church like a master or a lord. Pastors do not have the authority to make or enforce decisions upon the congregation.

So if a pastor cannot domineer his will over the congregation, in what sense does he rule or lead the church?

The authority of a pastor comes in two primary forms.

1). Preaching and Teaching the Word of God

1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV)

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 3:2 (ESV)

2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Ephesians 4:11 (ESV)

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

2). Setting an Example

1 Peter 5:3 (ESV)

3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

We see both forms of pastoral authority given in Hebrews 13:

Hebrews 13:7 (ESV)

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

What does this command mean? Obey your leaders and submit to them? We already know that pastors do no have the ability to domineer. Pastors have no authority on their own to issue orders. But what a Pastor does have the authority to do is to bring to bear the Word of God through preaching and teaching, and to set an example for the flock to imitate.

So to obey the pastor and to submit to them means to obey and to submit to the Word of God as the pastor excellently preaches and teaches the word and as the pastor allows the Word to impact his own personal life. Church members are to imitate their faith.

It is in this way that pastors lead in a church that is ruled by the congregation.

A good example of this is found in I Tim 3.

1 Timothy 3:4–5 ESV

4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

Remember: 1st century households were more than just husband, wife, and kids. It might also include adult children, elderly parents, in-laws, household servants or slaves and guests.

The teaching of this qualification is that it is more difficult to manage the church than it is his own household. Why? Because at least some of the time the father can put his foot down and even spank his (smaller) children when necessary. But a pastor does not have any kind of “spanking” ability.

But, the father of the household could not spank or put his foot down when it came to others in the household (adults). What would his leadership look like for these people? It would involve instruction, persuasion, coordination, and illustration through example all bathed in prayer and self-sacrifice.

So if he cannot manage his own household, how well could he care for God’s church.

A good pastor will lead the church, through the Scriptures, to make wise decisions for itself.

Pastor / congregation authority model

A good example of this is found in Acts 15. NOT a council! What we have here is a local church business meeting calling some of it erring members into account.

Acts 15:1 ESV

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Acts 15:2 ESV

2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.

Who appointed them to go? The church at Antioch. Why were they appointed to go to the Jerusalem church? Because the men teaching false doctrine were from the Jerusalem church and they needed to deal with its members.

Acts 15:3 ESV

3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.

Acts 15:4 (ESV)

4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.

Acts 15:5 ESV

5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

Acts 15:6 ESV

6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

Acts 15:7 ESV

7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

Much debate by the church in Jerusalem on this controversy. Even the apostles and elders could not come to an agreement. Then Peter stands up and recounts the conversion of Cornelius to argue for his case.

Finally James stands up and speaks to the church. Who is James? He is a pastor of the church in Jerusalem. Perhaps he is one of the pastors who labors in preaching/teaching, who rules well and is considered worthy of double honor. Notice how James leads the church to a decision.

Acts 15:12–21 ESV

12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 “ ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’ 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

What source does James use to lead the congregation to a decision? He brings to bear the OT. And based on the OT James makes a suggestion to the congregation. He offers his counsel that is based on the teaching and thus the authority of the Word. And what happens then?

Acts 15:22 ESV

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,

What do we see here? We see pastoral leadership on the part of James. But we also see congregational decision before James’s proposal was implemented.

In summary Baptist churches are congregationally governed. Baptist churches are also congregationally led. Congregational polity and pastoral leadership are not contradictory, but rather complementary. A church requires both if it is to function well.

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