God has given man instructions since the beginning of time and a pattern to follow. For instance, in Genesis 6:14-16, God gave Noah specific instructions for the dimensions of the ark, the material in which it was to be built with and also how to build the ark. There was a pattern to follow. In the New Testament, God gave a pattern to follow with regards to how Christians should worship Him (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 5:19). In the same manner, God also gave a pattern to follow for how the church should be organized.
It is essential, as a Christian, to understand God’s design and plan with regards to the organization of the church. By adhering to His pattern, a Christian will be living in accordance to the will of God and will thus be pleasing to Him. Knowing the organization of the church will also mean that I will be able to correctly identify the Lord’s church and be able to refute any false doctrines related to its organization.
Organization of the Church
The church is the “called out” congregation and the word “church” is from the Greek word ‘ekklesia’. In the New Testament, the church can be referred to as the universal church which consists of all the saved everywhere in the world, regional referring to God’s people in a given region, local where the saved in one locality meet together to worship God and do His work, or a group of the Lord’s people assembled for worship.
Christ is the Head of the universal church (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23). He is the only One capable of delivering salvation and the only One who has the pre-eminence over all things as the Creator of all things (John 1:1-14). Having Christ as the head of the church will mean that the church does not have an earthly head. The church is a spiritual kingdom and not an earthly, physical kingdom. Thus, the head of the church must be one who is divine.
As Christians, we will thus be subject unto Christ who is head over the body and over all things. Jesus is the One who sustains us and has rule over us. The New Testament church is unique in the sense that we have a divine head and not one who is a mortal being. All knees will bow to Christ (Romans 14:11).
Oversight of Elders for the Local Church
For every local congregation, God has commanded that there be a plurality of qualified male Christians designated as elders, to be selected and appointed (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6ff: Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28). Each congregation will have autonomy of its own work and overseen by elders. The elders will have oversight of their own congregation and not over other local congregations. An elder is also known as an overseer or bishop (Titus 1:7; Acts 20:28) and a shepherd or pastor (1 Peter 5:2; Ephesians 4:11).
Qualifications of Elders and Their Work
The qualifications of elders are recorded in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. An elder has to be a married man with believing children. He must be able to teach, be hospitable, rule his household well, sober, patient, of good behaviour, have a good report, blameless, vigilant, not given to wine, not guilty of filthy lucre, not covetous, not a brawler, and not a striker.
Being a shepherd, elders have to feed the flock – which is the local congregation. Elders will have to tend to the needs of the congregation and ensure that they receive spiritual food so that they can grow. Elders will also do their best to make sure that members are not influenced by things of the world that affects their spiritual health negatively. Elders have the oversight of the work of the local congregation (1 Peter 5:2) and need to protect the flock. They need to be like watchmen and watch over the souls of the congregation (Hebrews 13:17). They also have to watch themselves so that they will not be drawn away (Acts 20:28-31). Being shepherds and overseers of the flock, elders have to admonish the flock and warn members when the need arises (1 Thessalonians 5:12). They will also oversee the work of the whole local church. They need to submit to the head of the church who is Jesus Christ and also the chief shepherd (1 Peter 5:4).
Although elders have the authority to oversee the congregation, they do not have the authority to add or subtract from the Word of God (Galatians 1:8). No one has the authority to change God’s word.
(To be continued next week)
Ask Yourself:
Who is the head of the church?
Where can we find the qualifications of elders and their work?
How can we train and develop the young to have the desire and prepare themselves towards being an elder of the congregation?
Suggested Answers:
Christ is the head (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23).
1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
You may discuss this with the writer or any Bible class teacher.