Matthew 18:15-18; 15 “And
if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you,
you have won your brother. 16 “But
if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so
that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17
“And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he
refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a
tax-gatherer. 18 “Truly I say to
you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and
whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Some suggest that this subject is of minimal worth since it has little
to do with the Gospel. Remember that history teaches us that Biblical
church government is inseparably linked to maintaining the purity of the
Gospel. Local Church Autonomy is practical in as much as:
A. The Church Elects Its Own Officers
- Deacons; Acts 6:3 “But select from among you, brethren,
seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom
we may put in charge of this task.
- Elders; Acts 14:23
And when they had appointed elders for them
in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to
the Lord in whom they had believed.”
The Greek word for “appoint” is "χειροτονέω"
and means "to vote by stretching out the hand, to
appoint." The inference is that the Apostles followed the same
pattern as in Acts 6 while adding to the process stretching forth their
hands in ordination. This was never to be taken lightly. See 1
Timothy 5:22 Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and
thus share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself
free from sin. It would appear that fasting and prayer is a vital
part of discerning God’s will in the recognition of God’s call upon
Elders and Deacons and that those involved in the process are not
without guilt if they do not thoroughly examine candidates.
B. The Church Observes Its Ordinances
The churches observed the two ordinances, Baptism and the Communion.
They are conducted by the churches not by other groups even though they
may consist of Christians.
1. The Example of Christ
Christ gathered some from the disciples when He instituted the Supper. Matthew
26:20 Now when evening had come, He was reclining at the table with
the twelve disciples.
2. The Example of Paul
Paul gave specific instructions to the Church in Corinth in 1
Corinthians 11:23 “For I received from the Lord that which I also
delivered to you,” Paul was writing to a local church. See 1
Corinthians 1:1,2; 1 Paul, called as an
apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2
to the church of God which is at Corinth, . . .”
C. The Church Conducts Its Own Business
1. The Church Administers Its Own Finances
The churches were never assessed fees by denominational heads. Paul
pressed the Corinthian Church to give to the brethren in distress in
Jerusalem because they were negligent on their own commitment. 2
Corinthians 9:5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that
they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously
promised bountiful gift, that the same might be ready as a bountiful gift,
and not affected by covetousness.
2. The Church Controls Its Own Public Meetings
1st Corinthians 14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren?
When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation,
has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for
edification.
3. The Church Receives Its Own Members
Matthew 28: 19,20; 19 Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching
them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.” Converts were baptized and added
to the church where they could be nurtured and prepared for service. The
same standard would apply to those who would seek membership; they would
give evidence that they were converted and properly baptized and so be
received into membership.
4. The Church Makes Recommendations
Local churches expressed themselves in the form of letters or
messengers. 2 Corinthians 8:23,24; 23 As for
Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our
brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to
Christ. 24 Therefore openly before the churches show them the proof
of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.
It is clear that God would have His churches faithful it His Word in
the proclamation of the Gospel and the building up of the saints.
What about you, my friend? Have you found such a
place where you can learn of HIM?
God has provided the
means for you to be saved, baptized and be a part of His New Testament
Local Church ministry -- He gave His Son to intercede; all we have to do is confess our sin, ask for His forgiveness
and call upon Him to save us from the guilt and penalty of sin.
2nd Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin
on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
If you have never entrusted your life to Him, why not come to Him today
for Salvation. That's the first order of business.
"And
there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven
that has been given among men, by which we must be
saved." Acts
4:12
Please contact
us if you sense your need to come to Him. We can help. (Just
click on "contact us.")
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