Ecclesiology (Part 3)
Notes
Transcript
Handout
What makes a local church a church?
What makes a local church a church?
Is it simply where two or three are gathered?
Is it simply where two or three are gathered?
20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
If so, then every Christian home would be a church.
If so, then every Christian home would be a church.
A church always has some form of organization.
A church always has some form of organization.
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
A local church is made up of an organized assembly of professing believers who have been biblically baptized.
A local church is made up of an organized assembly of professing believers who have been biblically baptized.
Jerry and Crystal Miller (Southtown Baptist Fellowship)
The offices of an organized body.
The offices of an organized body.
1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
1. Pastor
1. Pastor
The terms “pastor”, “elder”, “bishop” and “overseer” all refer to the same office.
The terms “pastor”, “elder”, “bishop” and “overseer” all refer to the same office.
The role of the pastor is to shepherd the flock.
The role of the pastor is to shepherd the flock.
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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.
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
The role of the pastor is to equip the saints.
The role of the pastor is to equip the saints.
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Thus, the members of the church willingly place themselves under his spiritual authority.
Thus, the members of the church willingly place themselves under his spiritual authority.
17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
I would rather you not join Bible studies outside of the local church.
This is why we are working hard to put a pathway together and we are asking you to stick to it.
2. Deacon
2. Deacon
The first priority of a deacon is to care for the physical needs of the church so the pastor can focus on preaching and prayer.
The first priority of a deacon is to care for the physical needs of the church so the pastor can focus on preaching and prayer.
1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Biblically, an organized local church should be autonomous.
Biblically, an organized local church should be autonomous.
The means that the church rules itself or answers directly to Christ - the Head.
The means that the church rules itself or answers directly to Christ - the Head.
We are not a part of a denomination.
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
The churches of the New Testament selected their own membership and their own leadership.
God has given us the ability to determine His will.
The local church has the responsibility to govern itself.
The local church has the responsibility to govern itself.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
We are a body - each member as important as the other.
Therefore we hold to the idea of congregational rule.
This doesn’t mean the pastor has to get permission for everything - like what he teaches.
The local church has the authority to choose its own leaders.
The local church has the authority to choose its own leaders.
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
The local church has the responsibility and authority to carry out the ordinances of baptism and communion.
The local church has the responsibility and authority to carry out the ordinances of baptism and communion.
Other than the last supper it was always done in the context of the local church.
Local church has the authority and responsibility to exercise discipline.
Local church has the authority and responsibility to exercise discipline.
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
This also support congregational rule.
Why is the local church so important?
Why is the local church so important?
It is another opportunity for you to grow spiritually.
It is another opportunity for you to grow spiritually.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
It is God’s means for equipping you to carry out your life’s mission.
It is God’s means for equipping you to carry out your life’s mission.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
“The church exists to evangelize.” ???
Yes and no
The gathering is not to evangelize.
The church is to GO and evangelize.
The great commission is more than evangelism.
It is God’s means for your accountability.
It is God’s means for your accountability.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
It is God’s means for you to obey the “one anothers”.
It is God’s means for you to obey the “one anothers”.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Our lives should be structured around our local church.
Our lives should be structured around our local church.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;