The Organization of the New

Testament Church!

The Organization of the New Testament Church!Were do we fit?

The Organization of the Church!

Php 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the

bishops and deacons:

The authority of the church!Found in two places “doctrine & decisions!”

▪In our last study we look at the authority of the NT church in matters of “doctrine!”

▪Tonight we will look at the other side, the authority of the NT church in matters of “decisions!”

▪Who is in charge around here?

Commanded to assemble! Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 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.

▪Examples of this in the early church!▸Act. 2:42; 20:7▪Designed for us to worship God

together and to edify one another!▸Eph. 4:11-16

Learning to work “together” as the body of Christ!

We are all part of the body of Christ! (1 Cor.12:12-27)▪Php 2:1-4 Therefore if there is any

consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

The “need” for organization & leadership!

Every successful body needs these to function!▪1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author

of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.▪1 Cor 14:40 Let all things be done

decently and in order.▪Today we will be studying the

organization of the NT church as revealed in the pages of the Bible!

I. The Position of the Preacher!▪Now, who is under the “spot light” the

most? Who often receives the most attention? Why do you think this is?▪When things do not seem to be going

well, who do people often blame? When things seem to be going well, who do people attribute the success to?▸Gen 3:12 Then the man said, "The

woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."

Understanding the role of a preacher/evangelist/minister!

▪Preacher = he is to be proclaiming/ preaching the good news of Jesus!▸2 Tim. 4:1-5; Rom. 10:14-17▪Evangelist = bring people to Jesus!▸Mt. 28:18-20; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:5▪Minister = see to the needs of others!▸Rom. 15:16 cf. 13:4; 2 Cor. 3:6; Col.

1:7

No one man show!▪Why do you think God has set it up this way?

Do you remember the problem in 3 John? What did Diotrephes want to do?

▪Preaching/teaching is an important work!▸Rom. 10:13-17; 1 Cor. 1:17-25 cf. 1 Cor.

12:28▸Not to be entered into lightly! (Js. 3:1)▸Not always going to be easy! (2 Tim. 4:1-5)▪“A preacher must have a tough hide & a tender

heart!” (Broth. Davis)▪Must always be done in love!(Eph.4:15,16)

II. The Position of the Elders!▪As we begin this point, we need to keep in

mind that the Bible uses many different name to refer to the same “office/position!”▸Elder/s from Gk presbuteros = sometimes

translated “presbyter” one that is older/elderly.–Found 67 times “elder/ old man/ eldest/ elder

woman” (Act. 20:17; 1 Pet. 5:1 i.e.)▸Bishop/s from Gk episkopos = sometimes

translated “overseer/s” a superintended & overseer. (Act. 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2 i.e.)▸Pastors from Gk poinmen = sometimes

translated “shepherd” tend to as a shepherd.

These three words are often all found together being used interchangeably!

Act. 20:17-30; 1 Pet. 5:1-2▪It is clear that these are not three

offices, but three ways of describing one office!▸Act. 20:17, 28; 1 Pet. 5:1-2▪A congregation once fully developed

would have elders!▸Act. 14:23; Tit. 1:5▸Only appointed after meeting strict

qualifications! (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9)

No one man show!There was to always be a plurality of men!

▪There was always found more than one in a congregation! “The elders”▸Act. 14:23; 20:17; 1 Tim. 5:17 i.e.▪The congregations relationship to them!▸They are over the congregation (Act. 20:28)▸They watch for our souls (Heb. 13:17)▪They are the place of authority in matters of

judgment, we are to submit to them!▸Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5

III. The Position of the Deacons!▪We will begin by seeking to understand just

who a deacon is in the NT church?▪Deacon = from Gk diakonos meaning servant,

minister or waiter. This is a “willing” servant that has chosen this office▸They choose to undertake the work and they

are chosen by the church/eldership.▸Chosen according to specific qualifications!

–1 Tim. 3:8-13▸They serve in the work given to them by the

eldership.

Specific Qualifications!▪The need for this is something we do

everyday of our lives!▸When there is work that needs done, we find

people that are suitable to complete the work! “What are your qualifications?”

–When one applies for a new job, what is the first thing they ask? “Are you qualified?”▸These characteristics are necessary for them

to do the work properly!▪Deacons have been given authority by the

elders to serve in a specific work!

Conclusion:▪If the local congregation is going to function

properly as God designed, then we need to understand the organization of the New Testament church!

▪If you are here today and not yet a member of the NT church, then today is the day!

▪If you are here and you are a Christian, I hope we will better understand the church as God would have it!

▪In our next lesson we will be looking at the “worship of the NT church!”