the christian faith a study of basic beliefs a study of basic beliefs one each week one each week...

The Christian FaithThe Christian FaithThe Christian FaithThe Christian Faith

• A study of basic beliefsA study of basic beliefs• One each weekOne each week

• Week 14, 4/3/2013Week 14, 4/3/2013

• ““Congregational Organization”Congregational Organization”


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• When a new congregation is set up When a new congregation is set up

or founded, what is it to look like?or founded, what is it to look like?• Does the NT tell us how it should Does the NT tell us how it should

look? Does it matter or not?look? Does it matter or not?


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• Philippians 1:1Philippians 1:1 “To all the saints in “To all the saints in

Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.”with the bishops and deacons.”• Note: The church in Philippi had a Note: The church in Philippi had a

plurality of bishops and deacons.plurality of bishops and deacons.


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• Acts 14:23Acts 14:23 “And when they [Paul and “And when they [Paul and

Barnabas] had appointed for them Barnabas] had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to with fasting, they commended them to the Lord.”the Lord.”

• ““And having handpicked elders…” And having handpicked elders…” (Literal version)(Literal version)


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• Acts 20:17Acts 20:17 “And from Miletus, he “And from Miletus, he

[Paul] sent to Ephesus, and called [Paul] sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.”the elders of the church.”• Note: Not “elders of the churches” Note: Not “elders of the churches”

and not “elder of each church” but and not “elder of each church” but “elders of the church.”“elders of the church.”


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• 1 Timothy 5:171 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders that rule “Let the elders that rule

well be counted worthy of double honor, well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.”doctrine.”

• Titus 1:5Titus 1:5 “For this cause I left you in Crete, “For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that that you should set in order the things that are lacking and ordain elders in every city”are lacking and ordain elders in every city”


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• James 5:14James 5:14 “Is any sick among you? Let him “Is any sick among you? Let him

call for the elders of the church and let them call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will cure the sick and the Lord shall raise him up. cure the sick and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed any sins, it will be And if he has committed any sins, it will be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another and pray for one another, that you another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”may be healed.”


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• 1 Peter 5:1-41 Peter 5:1-4 “The elders [Greek - “The elders [Greek -

presbyters] who are among you I presbyters] who are among you I exhort, as a fellow elder and witness exhort, as a fellow elder and witness of the suffering of Christ, and also a of the suffering of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be partaker of the glory that will be revealed…”revealed…”


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• 1 Peter 5:1-41 Peter 5:1-4 “…Shepherd the flock of God “…Shepherd the flock of God

which is among you, serving as overseers which is among you, serving as overseers [Greek - bishops], not by compulsion but [Greek - bishops], not by compulsion but willingly, not for base gain, but readily, nor willingly, not for base gain, but readily, nor as lording it over those allotted to you, but as lording it over those allotted to you, but becoming examples to the flock. And becoming examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of shall receive a never-fading crown of glory.”glory.”


• Congregational Organization - Early Congregational Organization - Early ChristiansChristians• ““Preaching throughout countries Preaching throughout countries

and cities, the apostles appointed and cities, the apostles appointed the first fruits of their labors to be the first fruits of their labors to be bishops and deacons of those who bishops and deacons of those who would believe afterwards.” - would believe afterwards.” - Clement (96AD)Clement (96AD)


• Congregational Organization - Congregational Organization - Early ChristiansEarly Christians• ““Therefore, appoint for Therefore, appoint for

yourselves bishops and deacons yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord.” - Barnabas worthy of the Lord.” - Barnabas (100AD)(100AD)


• Congregational Organization - Early ChristiansCongregational Organization - Early Christians• ““Our apostles also knew…that there would be Our apostles also knew…that there would be

strife on account of the office of oversight strife on account of the office of oversight [eldership]. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch [eldership]. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect foreknowledge of as they had obtained a perfect foreknowledge of this, …they gave instructions that when those this, …they gave instructions that when those men should fall asleep men should fall asleep other approved menother approved men should succeed them in their ministry…with the should succeed them in their ministry…with the consent of the whole church” Clement (96AD)”consent of the whole church” Clement (96AD)”


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• But the early church changed…againBut the early church changed…again• ““I have had the privilege of seeing you, I have had the privilege of seeing you,

through Damas, your most worthy bishop, through Damas, your most worthy bishop, and through your worthy presbyters, and through your worthy presbyters, Bassus and Apollonius, and through my Bassus and Apollonius, and through my fellow servant, the deacon Sotio.” Ignatius fellow servant, the deacon Sotio.” Ignatius (110AD)(110AD)


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• But the early church changedBut the early church changed• ““There is one bishop, along with the presbyters There is one bishop, along with the presbyters

and deacons.” Ignatius (110AD)and deacons.” Ignatius (110AD)• ““I exhort you to study to do all things with a I exhort you to study to do all things with a

divine harmony, while your bishop presides in divine harmony, while your bishop presides in the place of God, and your presbyters in the the place of God, and your presbyters in the place of the assembly of the apostles, along place of the assembly of the apostles, along with your deacons.” Ignatius (110AD)with your deacons.” Ignatius (110AD)


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• The NT presents churches with a plurality of The NT presents churches with a plurality of

elders and deacons, with elders and deacons, with elders=bishops=presbyters.elders=bishops=presbyters.

• In 96AD, Clement indicates churches with In 96AD, Clement indicates churches with bishops and deacons.bishops and deacons.

• By 110AD, Ignatius indicates churches with a By 110AD, Ignatius indicates churches with a single bishop and multiple presbyters and single bishop and multiple presbyters and deacons.deacons.

• Something changed – in only 14 years!Something changed – in only 14 years!


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• This shows how easy it is to fall away This shows how easy it is to fall away

from the simple statements of the NT. from the simple statements of the NT. Probably done for what seemed like a Probably done for what seemed like a good reason, but it IS a change from the good reason, but it IS a change from the NT patternNT pattern

• How could it happen in 14-15 years? How could it happen in 14-15 years? Look what has happened among us in Look what has happened among us in the last 15 years!the last 15 years!


• Congregational OrganizationCongregational Organization• Acts 20:28-29:Acts 20:28-29: “Take heed to “Take heed to

yourselves and to all the flock…for I yourselves and to all the flock…for I know this that after my departing know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”you, not sparing the flock.”


• EldersElders• The NT presents churches with a The NT presents churches with a

plurality of elders and deacons, with plurality of elders and deacons, with elders=bishops=presbyters.elders=bishops=presbyters.• Philippians 1:1Philippians 1:1 “To all the saints in “To all the saints in

Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.”the bishops and deacons.”


• EldersElders• 1 Timothy 3:1-71 Timothy 3:1-7 “This is a true saying: “This is a true saying:

If a man desires the office of a bishop, If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.”he desires a good work.”• Wanting to become an elder is not Wanting to become an elder is not

something to be ashamed of, but something to be ashamed of, but something to be encouraged.something to be encouraged.


• EldersElders• 1 Timothy 3:1-71 Timothy 3:1-7 “A bishop must be blameless, “A bishop must be blameless,

the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach.”behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach.”

• Blameless = without reproach, a man with a Blameless = without reproach, a man with a good namegood name

• Husband of one wife = not a bigamist, not Husband of one wife = not a bigamist, not unmarriedunmarried

• Vigilant, sober = discrete, self-controlled, Vigilant, sober = discrete, self-controlled, serious minded, temperate, sensibleserious minded, temperate, sensible


• EldersElders• 1 Timothy 3:1-71 Timothy 3:1-7 “A bishop must be blameless, “A bishop must be blameless,

the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach.”behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach.”

• Of good behavior = well-ordered, decorousOf good behavior = well-ordered, decorous• Given to hospitality = opening his house freely Given to hospitality = opening his house freely

to gueststo guests• Apt to teach = a ready teacher, whether publicly Apt to teach = a ready teacher, whether publicly

or privatelyor privately

The Christian FaithThe Christian FaithThe Christian FaithThe Christian Faith• EldersElders 1 Timothy 3:1-71 Timothy 3:1-7• ““Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of money, Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of money,

but patient, not a brawler, not covetous”but patient, not a brawler, not covetous”• Not given to wine = not a drunkardNot given to wine = not a drunkard• Means not someone who gazes at wine longingly, Means not someone who gazes at wine longingly,

whose gaze dwells upon wine.whose gaze dwells upon wine.• No striker, not a brawler = not given to blows, not a No striker, not a brawler = not given to blows, not a

fighter, not contentiousfighter, not contentious• Not greedy of money, not covetous = no lover of Not greedy of money, not covetous = no lover of

money, not fond of moneymoney, not fond of money• Patient = gentle, mildPatient = gentle, mild


• EldersElders• 1 Timothy 3:1-71 Timothy 3:1-7• ““One that rules his own house well, having his One that rules his own house well, having his

children in subjection with all gravity (for if a children in subjection with all gravity (for if a man know not how man know not how to ruleto rule his own house well, his own house well, how shall he take care of the church of God?)”how shall he take care of the church of God?)”

• His family respects him, his children are His family respects him, his children are under control.under control.

• Rule does not imply being a king, but does Rule does not imply being a king, but does imply being in charge.imply being in charge.


• EldersElders• 1 Timothy 3:1-71 Timothy 3:1-7• ““Not a novice, lest being lifted up with Not a novice, lest being lifted up with

pride, he fall into the condemnation of the pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil.”devil.”

• Not a new convert - too much a temptation Not a new convert - too much a temptation to gain a high opinion of oneself if made to gain a high opinion of oneself if made an elder right away.an elder right away.


• EldersElders• 1 Timothy 3:1-71 Timothy 3:1-7• ““Moreover, he must have a good report Moreover, he must have a good report

of them which are without; lest he fall of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”into reproach and the snare of the devil.”• What would his boss say about him? What would his boss say about him?

What would his neighbor say? His golf What would his neighbor say? His golf buddies?buddies?


• EldersElders• 1 Timothy 5:19-201 Timothy 5:19-20 “Against an “Against an

elder, receive not an accusation elder, receive not an accusation except at the mouth of two or except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. Them that sin, three witnesses. Them that sin, rebuke in the sight of all, that the rebuke in the sight of all, that the rest may also be in fear.”rest may also be in fear.”


• Elders – Their authority?Elders – Their authority?• Hebrews 13:17Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule “Obey them that have the rule

over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls…that they may do it with joy and for your souls…that they may do it with joy and not with grief.” (KJV)not with grief.” (KJV)

• ““Be yielding unto them who are guiding you and Be yielding unto them who are guiding you and submit yourselves: for they are watching over submit yourselves: for they are watching over your souls…that they may do this with joy and your souls…that they may do this with joy and not with sighing.” not with sighing.”


• Elders – Their authority?Elders – Their authority?• Can an elder tell you what car to buy?Can an elder tell you what car to buy?• Can an elder tell you to attend the 8:15 am Can an elder tell you to attend the 8:15 am

service only?service only?• Elders have ruled their own houses well – and Elders have ruled their own houses well – and

that means they don’t “lord it over” anyone, at that means they don’t “lord it over” anyone, at home or in the church.home or in the church.

• ““Good” elders wouldn’t ask you to do Good” elders wouldn’t ask you to do something unless it related to your or someone something unless it related to your or someone else’s soul or would help the church.else’s soul or would help the church.


• Elders – Titus 1:6-9Elders – Titus 1:6-9• ““If anyone is blameless, husband of one wife,If anyone is blameless, husband of one wife,

having believing children, not accused of loose having believing children, not accused of loose behavior, or disobedient… not self-willed, not behavior, or disobedient… not self-willed, not full of passion, full of passion, not given to winenot given to wine, , not not quarrelsomequarrelsome, , not greedy for ill gainnot greedy for ill gain, but , but hospitablehospitable, a lover of good, discreet, just, holy, , a lover of good, discreet, just, holy, temperatetemperate, holding fast the faithful word , holding fast the faithful word according to the doctrine, that he may be able according to the doctrine, that he may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict the gainsayers.”the gainsayers.”


• Elders – What do they do?Elders – What do they do?• They make sure the flock is protectedThey make sure the flock is protected• They feed the flock or make sure it is They feed the flock or make sure it is

fed properly.fed properly.• They watch over our soulsThey watch over our souls• They make decisions, within the They make decisions, within the

bounds God has allowed, over how to bounds God has allowed, over how to carry out the work of the congregation.carry out the work of the congregation.


• EldersElders• The NT presents churches with a plurality of The NT presents churches with a plurality of

elders and deacons, with elders and deacons, with elders=bishops=presbyters.elders=bishops=presbyters.

• Elders are to possess qualities that every Elders are to possess qualities that every Christian should want to possess.Christian should want to possess.

• Young men should be encouraged to become Young men should be encouraged to become elders. elders.

• Elders should be given proper respect.Elders should be given proper respect.


• Deacons - Deacons - 1 Timothy 3:8-131 Timothy 3:8-13• ““Likewise the deacons are to be reverent, not Likewise the deacons are to be reverent, not

double-tongued, not given to much wine, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of ill gain.”greedy of ill gain.”

• Reverent=grave, dignifiedReverent=grave, dignified• Not double-tongued=not false in wordNot double-tongued=not false in word• The etymology of “deacon” comes from two The etymology of “deacon” comes from two

Greek words: dia, Greek words: dia, konis. konis. Original meaning?Original meaning?• Raising a dust by hurrying. Raising a dust by hurrying.


• Deacons - Deacons - 1 Timothy 3:8-131 Timothy 3:8-13• Not given to much wine=not a drunkardNot given to much wine=not a drunkard• Literally “Not holding the mind on much Literally “Not holding the mind on much

wine” since that attitude leads to over-wine” since that attitude leads to over-indulgence.indulgence.

• Ill gain=not seeking gain by base meansIll gain=not seeking gain by base means


• Deacons - Deacons - 1 Timothy 3:8-131 Timothy 3:8-13• ““Having the mystery of the faith in a pure Having the mystery of the faith in a pure

conscience, and let these also first be tested, conscience, and let these also first be tested, then let them serve if found blameless”then let them serve if found blameless”

• Mystery of the faith=believers, those who Mystery of the faith=believers, those who understand the faithunderstand the faith

• Be tested=proved, consent of churchBe tested=proved, consent of church• Found blameless=passed the testFound blameless=passed the test


• Deacons - Deacons - 1 Timothy 3:8-131 Timothy 3:8-13• ““Even so their wives are to be reverent, Even so their wives are to be reverent,

not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.”things.”

• Reverent=grave, dignifiedReverent=grave, dignified• Not slanderers=speaks no evil of people, Not slanderers=speaks no evil of people,

not given to intrigue or gossipnot given to intrigue or gossip• Temperate=sober, seriousTemperate=sober, serious• Faithful in all thingsFaithful in all things


• Deacons - Deacons - 1 Timothy 3:8-131 Timothy 3:8-13• ““Let the deacons be the husbands of one Let the deacons be the husbands of one

wife, ruling their children and households wife, ruling their children and households well. For they that serve well as deacons gain well. For they that serve well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing and great to themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”Jesus.”

• One wife=not a bigamist, not singleOne wife=not a bigamist, not single• Ruling households=in charge, responsible Ruling households=in charge, responsible


• Deaconess? – Deaconess? – Romans 16:1Romans 16:1• ““But I commend to you Phoebe our sister, But I commend to you Phoebe our sister,

who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea…who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea…for she has been a helper of many, and for she has been a helper of many, and myself also.”myself also.”

• The word “servant” is also “minister” and The word “servant” is also “minister” and “deacon” – the word is the feminine form “deacon” – the word is the feminine form translated deacon when referring to men. translated deacon when referring to men. What does this mean?What does this mean?


• Deaconess? – Deaconess? – Romans 16:1Romans 16:1 • ““There is a serious problem in the lack of There is a serious problem in the lack of

biblical evidence in support of the view of biblical evidence in support of the view of deaconess … I am inclined to think those deaconess … I am inclined to think those who ‘see’ such teaching want very badly to who ‘see’ such teaching want very badly to find it. It is hardly a position the evidence find it. It is hardly a position the evidence compels us to hold.” - (Dr Deffinbaugh – compels us to hold.” - (Dr Deffinbaugh – Community Church)Community Church)


• Deacons - Servants of the churchDeacons - Servants of the church• Do whatever the elders ask of themDo whatever the elders ask of them• Do it cheerfullyDo it cheerfully• Gain a great reward in the faithGain a great reward in the faith• Allow the elders to focus more on the Allow the elders to focus more on the

feeding of the flock and protecting the feeding of the flock and protecting the flock, but still work under their direction flock, but still work under their direction in all things.in all things.


• Deacons - Servants of the churchDeacons - Servants of the church• Proved – become a deacon because you Proved – become a deacon because you

were already doing work of deacon before were already doing work of deacon before being installed or chosenbeing installed or chosen

• Requirements very similar to that for Requirements very similar to that for elderselders

• Work with the elders to carry out the work Work with the elders to carry out the work of the congregationof the congregation

• Next week? “Work of the church”Next week? “Work of the church”

the christian faith a study of basic beliefs a study of basic beliefs one each week one each week...

Documents

church clement

early church changedagaini

elders greek presbyters

plurality of bishops

deacons worthy

overseers greek bishops

approved men

crown of glory