Fundamental Foundations of Faith
Identifying The New Testament Church by Its Organization
INTRO.
A. In this series of lessons on the fundamentals of faith, we have studied the church,
and we saw that the church is the “called out.”
B. We also saw that in the New Testament, that Jesus and the apostles warned that the
church would fall into apostasy. It did!!!
C. Then in last week’s lesson, we saw that we could identify the true church by its
worship. The five acts of worship of the New Testament church- prayer, study, giving,
the Lord’s supper each and every Sunday, and singing without the use of instruments
of music.
D. According to the N.T. and the writings of Justin Martyr, that is what the Lord’s church
did each and every Sunday.
E. Today, we will see that we can also identify the New Testament church by its
organization. God gave us a pattern of authority in the New Testament that we are to
follow.
F. If we follow the pattern that God has given us in the New Testament, we will be the
first century or New Testament church.
1. I want to clarify what I mean by that because as you read the New Testament,
you will see that the first-century church had a lot of problems. Just read
1 Corinthians and you will see.
2. So, when I say that we need to be the first-century church, what I mean by that is
that we should strive to live up to the “ideal” of the first-century church as God
wanted it to be. We need to be the church that was established by the apostles
in the first century.
3. If we will follow the principles that have been handed down to us in the New
Testament, then we will be the first-century church, the original church, as God
designed it to be.
G. So, what is the pattern for the organization of the church that God has given us? If we
can identify that pattern of organization, we can help us identify the Lord’s church.
I. EACH CONGREGATION IS SELF-GOVERNING OR AUTONOMOUS
A. As we examine the N.T., we see that each congregation is self-governing Acts 14:23
“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 plurality of elders!
B. Nowhere in the N.T. are we instructed to have an earthly headquarters for the church.
On the contrary, the headquarters of the church is in heaven Phil.3:20
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ,”
C. It is not this way with many denominational groups. They will have an earthly
headquarters, perhaps in Rome, or Nashville, TN, New York, NY. From that
headquarters, they set the doctrine and teachings for the denomination, and it is sent
it out to all of the congregations so they can start teaching what they have been told
to teach.
D. God, in His wisdom, designed the organization of the N.T. church so that no one from
one congregation can go into another congregation and tell the church what they
have to believe, practice, and teach. This helps to prevent the spread of false doctrine.
Just because one congregation goes off the rails, they can’t make other
congregations follow suit. Each congregation is autonomous, or self-governing.
II. THESE ELDERS OVERSEE THE WORK OF THE CONGREGATION.
A. Only qualified men were to be appointed as elders.
1. 1 Tim. 3:1-7
“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.”
2. Titus 1:5-9
“5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that
are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— 6 if a man is
blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of
dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward
of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not
greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just,
holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that
he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who
contradict.”
3. These qualifications dealt with his spiritual knowledge and maturity. They dealt
with his moral character and his social temperament. They also dealt with his
leadership as a husband and father. Men who met these qualifications would be
well suited to lead.
B. There are several Biblical terms for these men Acts 20:17, 28
“17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church… 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.” Three different Greek terms are used.
1. Presbuterous = “elder” or “presbyter” and implies a man of wisdom and
experience.
2. Episkopos = “bishop, overseer” and implies a man with leadership and
organizational skills.
3. Poimaino, from poimen = “shepherd, or pastor” and implies a man who is
compassionate and loving who will feed the church and care for the church.
C. While the authority and position of the eldership is very clear in the New Testament,
many denominations today do not even have elders or pastors according to this
Biblical pattern. They have abandoned the Biblical organization of the church and the
preacher has become the pastor.
III. DEACONS ARE APPOINTED TO HELP CARRY OUT THE WORK.
A. These men also had to meet certain qualifications 1 Tim. 3:8-13
“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.”
These qualifications also deal with the spirituality of these men and their moral
character. They also deal with their ability to lead their families. Men who meet these
qualifications will be well suited to carry out the works that are assigned to them by
the elders.
B. The deacons are the servant leaders of the church. In Acts 6:1-6 we see a group of
men who are chosen to serve. They are not called deacons in the text, but they
certainly fit the description.
“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.”
C. The chain of authority becomes clear-
1. We know that Christ is the Head of the church.
2. Elders have authority over the local congregation. They are charged with making
sure the church stays faithful and that any false doctrine is cleared up.
3. Deacons are under the authority of the elders and serve the church.
4. As deacons, they have a work to be involved in. Men are not named as deacons
just for the sake of being deacons. They have a work that they have been
charged with carrying out.
D. However, many denominations have an entirely different system of organization. They
have earthly headquarters that determine the doctrine of the church, and all the
congregations are under the authority of that governing body. They may not even
have elders and deacons in the local congregations.
IV. PREACHERS PROCLAIM THE WORD OF GOD.
A. 2 Tim. 4:1-5
“1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the
living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in
season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and
teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but
according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for
themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned
aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of
an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
1. Two terms are used in this passage-
a. Preach = “to herald, to proclaim with gravity and authority.”
b. Evangelist = “a bringer of good tidings.”
c. These are the Biblical terms for those who proclaim the gospel.
1] not pastor. That term refers to the elders.
2] Not reverend. That term is only applied to God in the scriptures
Ps. 111:9
“He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his
covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name.” (KJV)
If we are going to call Bible things by Bible names, we should not refer
to anyone as “Reverend” except the Lord God Himself.
2. The preacher’s job is to preach the word in season and out of season. In other
words, you preach the truth when people want to hear it, and you preach the
truth when people don’t want to hear it. No matter the situation, preach the truth.
3. In the public worship, men are to preach- 1 Tim. 2:11-14
"11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a
woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain
quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived,
but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor." According to the
Bible, only men are to teach and preach in the general assembly of the church.
This is not a cultural issue. It is a creation issue. Man was created first. It is a
sin issue. Woman sinned first. For these reasons, only men are to preach and
teach in the worship assembly. This does not mean that a woman cannot
teach a man in a private setting. Priscilla and her husband Aquila taught Apollos
in a private setting in Acts 18:25.
B. The Importance of preaching is seen in Rom. 10:13-17
“13 For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 14 How then shall they
call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of
whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how
shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of
those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!’ 16 But
they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our
report?’ 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
C. As we look at the organization of many denominations, we see something very
different. Many of them have taken the term “pastor” which is one of the terms
referring to the elders, and they have made the preacher the pastor. They have given
the rulership of the congregation over to that one man, instead of having a group of
qualified men to oversee the church. That is not the Biblical pattern.
D. We must guard against that in the Lord’s church and not allow ourselves to see the
preacher as having authority that God has not given to him.
V. THE MEMBERS COMPLETE THE BODY OF CHRIST.
A. The congregation is to follow the leadership of the elders Heb. 13:17
“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.”
1. Obey = “trust, obey, have confidence in”
2. They watch out for your souls = They are looking out for your spiritual
wellbeing. They are trying to get you to heaven. They are on your side.
3. They must give account = They are responsible to God for you. That is a grave
responsibility.
4. Make it a joyful experience for them. How? Be faithful and do the right thing.
B. As members, we are to respect our elders 1 Tim. 5:17-20
“17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those
who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle
an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do
not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20
Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.”
1. Double honor = to hold them in high esteem. More than all others.
2. Accept no gossip about an elder. Only if two or three people can verify some sin
on the elder's part, is the accusation to be accepted. Otherwise, the accusation
is to be rejected.
3. It is important to note that elders are not so powerful, that they are
unaccountable to the congregation. If a sin is verified, and the elder refuses to
repent, he is to be corrected before the congregation.
C. As members, we are to care for each other 1 Cor. 12:25-27
“25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the
same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer
with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are
the body of Christ, and members individually.”
1. The body of Christ should be a place where all of us can be loved and
encouraged to live faithfully to the Lord.
2. When we are hurting, we should find people to comfort us.
3. When we are happy, we should find people to rejoice with us.
4. We are all in this together.
APP./CONC.
A. So, as we look at the way God organized the church in the New Testament, we see-
1. That each congregation is autonomous and self-governing. No one from outside
can come in and tell us what to believe and practice.
2. Each congregation is to have a plurality of elders to rule over the church.
3. Under the authority of those elders, deacons are to serve the church, carrying out
their various works.
4. Under the authority of those elders, the preachers, preach the word and spread
the good news of the gospel of Christ.
5. Under the authority of those elders, the members live for the Lord and love one
another.
6. There are no earthly headquarters for the church, our headquarters are in heaven
and Jesus is our head.
7. There are no counsels of men to determine doctrine, our doctrine comes straight
from the Bible, the word of God.
B. By identifying the organization of the church as it is taught in the N.T., we can identify
the Lord’s church today, and we can make sure that we are the Lord’s church today.
