"THE CHURCH GOD BUILT PRESENTED BY STEVEN SCHILLER
INTRODUCTION
In studying what should be the authority of the church...
We noted that it should be "the apostles' doctrine"
As contained in the pages of the New Testament
The New Testament provides a pattern that was followed by the early church...
The church at Jerusalem "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" - Ac 2:42
The apostles taught their doctrine "in every church" - 1Co 4:17
The pattern that we find for local churches includes such elements as...
The organization of the church
The worship of the church
The work of the church
[In this lesson and the next, we will examine what pattern emerges from the New Testament regarding the organization of the Lord's church in the local sense. But one might ask...]
WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT CHURCH ORGANIZATION?
ORGANIZATION REVEALS PURPOSE...
When God creates something...
He has a purpose in mind
He designs His creation with the organization to accomplish His purpose
This is true in the physical realm
Certain animals were created as beasts of prey
Simply by looking at the animal's features (i.e., its organization), we can glean what its purpose is
This is true with the local church as well...
Seeing its organization will help us learn of the Lord's purpose for the church
This will be especially helpful later, when we examine the work of the church
APOSTASY OFTEN BEGINS WITH CHANGES IN ORGANIZATION...
One of the earliest departures from the New Testament was in church organization
Modern-day apostasies often start this way as well
Especially when people seek to change the purpose or work of the church!
[The organization of the church as revealed in the New Testament should not be taken lightly. The Lord had a purpose in mind, and organized the church to meet that purpose. With that said, let's now consider...]
CHURCH ORGANIZATION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
ELDERS TO OVERSEE THE LOCAL CONGREGATION...
A congregation, once fully developed, would have elders - cf. Ac 14:23; Tit 1:5
These elders were also called bishops and pastors
Elders (Grk., "presbuteros", presbyter) for they were older men
Bishops (Grk. "episkopos", overseer) for their task was to oversee the congregation - cf. Ac 20:17,28; 1Pe 5:1-2
Pastors (Grk. "poimen", shepherd) for their task was to shepherd and feed the flock of God - cf. Ac 20:17,28; 1 Pe 5:1-2
-- Not three distinct offices, but different ways to describe the men and their work (cf. Easton's Bible Dictionary, Moody Handbook of Theology)
Elders were appointed only after meeting stringent qualifications
The qualifications are listed in 1Ti 3:1,2,3,4,5,6-7; Tit 1:5,6,7,8-9
Note that they "must be..." (no exceptions), e.g....
Husband of one wife
With faithful children
-- Such qualifications prepared them for their role - cf. 1 Ti 3:5
In every congregation with elders, there was always a plurality, never just one
There were "elders" in every church - Ac 14:23
The church in Jerusalem had "elders" - Ac 15:2,4,6,22-23; 16:4; 21:18
The church at Ephesus had "elders" - Ac 20:17; 1Ti 5:17
There were to be "elders" in every city - Tit 1:5
When one was sick and wanted prayer, they were to call for the "elders" - Jm 5:14
Younger people were to submit to the "elders" - 1Pe 5:5
-- We never read of just one elder or bishop over one church or group of churches
The authority of the elders to oversee was limited...
They were to take heed to the flock of God "among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers" - Ac 20:28
They were to "shepherd the flock of God which is among you" - 1Pe 5:2
-- No elder (bishop, pastor) or group of elders had any authority beyond their local congregation!
DEACONS TO SERVE THE ELDERS AND THE CONGREGATION...
These were servants (Grk., "diakonos", servant, minister) who assisted the elders in the work of the church
Their qualifications are found in 1Ti 3:8,9,10,11,12-13
The work they do is a very noble one - 1Ti 3:13
While not identified as deacons per se, the seven men appointed to serve tables may have been prototypes of the service rendered - Ac 6:1,2,3,4,5-6
If so, then deacons are certainly "ministers of mercy"
THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION ITSELF...
Commonly called saints (Grk., "hagios", holy one) in the New Testament - cf. 1Co 1:2; Php 1:1
Also called disciples, Christians, believers, etc.
Among such members there may have been evangelists and teachers - Ep 4:11
Evangelists took the gospel to the lost
Teachers instructed and edified the members
Note: Those commonly referred to as preachers or ministers...
May do the work of both evangelist and teacher - e.g., 2Ti 4:5; 2:2
But whether they serve as evangelist, teacher, preacher, or minister, within the local church they likewise submit to the oversight of the elders
I.e., there is no indication they had "evangelistic oversight" or authority akin to that given to the bishops (elders, pastors)
They were to "take heed to the word", whereas elders were to "take heed to the flock" - cf. 1Ti 4:16; Ac 20:28
CONCLUSION
In Php 1:1, we find the organization of the local church alluded to in Paul's address:
"To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons"
Other than the members ("saints"), what organization existed in the local church was a two-tier system...
Bishops (also known as elders, pastors), of which there always more than just one
Deacons, who ministered to the congregation under the oversight of the bishops
The organization of the local church also suggests a threefold mission...
Bishops reflect the work of edification
Deacons reflect the work of benevolence
Teachers and evangelists, the work of evangelism
But it wasn't long before changes in the organization of the local church occurred. In our next study we shall note what happened then, and what changes often occur in the present...
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- Home
- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion (forced termination)
- All scripture
- Animations GBN
- Abounding hope
- Are you a Christian
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- All have sinned
- Awesome Father,Son,Holy spirit
- Are you the enemy of God
- Audio Bible (KJV)
- All authority
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Accuser
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- Abomination
- All power is of God
- Acts conversion chart
- Apologetics press
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- All things work together for good
- Authority
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptizm search for truth
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Born again
- Brand new creation
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Bible super human
- Blessed is the man
- Baptized into Christ
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Be not many masters.
- Bible verse of the day
- Bethel
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Bible is totally reliable
- Blessing or curse
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Bible`s scientific foreknowledge
- Bible inspiration
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Beyond the logos
- Bible read & listen
- Coming home
- CONTACT US
- Christ
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Children giving glory to GOD
- CONTACT
- Choice 2
- Church built on Christ
- Cast the first stone
- Christianity 101
- Christianity full time privilledge
- Committed to GOD
- Children learn what they live
- Creation
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Childrens video
- Counsel of GOD superior than man
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Choice I
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Church built by GOD
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- Does doctrine matter
- Drinking alcohol
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Divorce and remarriage
- Dictionary
- Day of the Lord
- Deception of false teachers
- Fabricated truth
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Diotrephes
- Duty of care
- Denominationlism
- Faith the substance of all things
- Filthy rags
- Faith
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False prophets
- False Teaching
- False Preachers
- First gospel sermon
- Forgiveness
- Falling away
- Fake preachers
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- False brethren brought in
- False brethren
- Forget God?
- Gossip David Schmidt
- Grief
- Gospel broadcasting network
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- GOD
- God`s will for you
- Give account for yourself
- GOD is righteous
- Give no offence
- Gospel hid from the lost
- Gospel (good news)
- GOD built true church not man
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- Gospel Enacted
- Hypocrites
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How to get to heaven?
- Hypocrites1
- How is the church organized?
- Homosexuality
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Heaven/Hell
- Hymns
- Heart
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Jesus Christ
- Hope
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Identity of the church
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Influence of evil
- Influence
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- In Christ
- Jesus (way)
- Inspired word of GOD
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus is Lord
- JESUS STICKERS
- Inspiration what is it?
- JESUS
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus & children
- Jesus the way
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- Kingdom come ?
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Kenya gallery1
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- Lying Christians is their any without
- LORDS church part 1
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Lost
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lord`s church
- Lying wonder
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lamentations 3
- Ladies videos
- Leading to Christ
- LINKS
- Light of the world
- Lord`s supper
- Looking for things to get better
- More about JESUS
- Lying preachers
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Lying 1
- Making the change
- Mat 19:6
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- Moral issues
- No change
- New Creation
- None righteous no not one
- NT reveals one church
- Offenses
- Overcome evil with good
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Overcoming the world
- Obey the gospel
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Preaching Jesus
- Preach the word
- Pleasing God
- Persecution and Oppression
- Power of the tongue
- Persecution
- Prayer
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- Perverting the gospel
- practicing SIN
- Pray without ceasing
- Reject God
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- REPENT!
- References on request
- Root of all evil
- Riverside gallery
- Rule your own house?
- Repent
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Religious error
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- Salvation
- Repent Repent Repent
- Sober
- Such were some of you
- SINS
- SIN
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Stairway to heaven
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Sheet music
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- Service to GOD
- Searching for truth
- Sound teaching
- SERMONS
- STOP
- Sincere,True Ministry
- Slave of the creator
- Spirit of GOD
- Spirit to the churches
- SHEPHERD
- Searching for truth(book)
- Same sex marriage
- Speak evil of no man
- Slave of GOD
- Salvation of the LORD
- Standard of authority
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Turn from sin to GOD
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- Slander
- Truth about
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- The children
- The devil
- Truth for the world
- Time for truth
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Thanks to GOD
- Those who persecute you
- The Church
- The way we were
- Truth
- The Lord`s Supper
- The holy spirit
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- This is God`s church
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Vengeance
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Unified church James Watkins
- What is the Gospel?
- WOE WOE WOE
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- What must i do to be saved?
- What names on your sign
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- James Watkins
- When you die
- Withdrawal fellowship
- What GOD has cleansed
- Wearing the crown
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- Wonderful Grace
- Whose family are u ruling
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- Worship
- Worshipping idols not God
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- Walking with GOD
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Worship to God
- What is the church?
- Wonderfully made
- You must be born again
- Your unbelief
- You give good gifts
- Wicked
- You are not your own
- GOD created all things in 6 days
- Home
- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion (forced termination)
- All scripture
- Animations GBN
- Abounding hope
- Are you a Christian
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- All have sinned
- Awesome Father,Son,Holy spirit
- Are you the enemy of God
- Audio Bible (KJV)
- All authority
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Accuser
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- Abomination
- All power is of God
- Acts conversion chart
- Apologetics press
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- All things work together for good
- Authority
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptizm search for truth
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Born again
- Brand new creation
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Bible super human
- Blessed is the man
- Baptized into Christ
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Be not many masters.
- Bible verse of the day
- Bethel
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Bible is totally reliable
- Blessing or curse
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Bible`s scientific foreknowledge
- Bible inspiration
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Beyond the logos
- Bible read & listen
- Coming home
- CONTACT US
- Christ
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Children giving glory to GOD
- CONTACT
- Choice 2
- Church built on Christ
- Cast the first stone
- Christianity 101
- Christianity full time privilledge
- Committed to GOD
- Children learn what they live
- Creation
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Childrens video
- Counsel of GOD superior than man
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Choice I
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Church built by GOD
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- Does doctrine matter
- Drinking alcohol
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Divorce and remarriage
- Dictionary
- Day of the Lord
- Deception of false teachers
- Fabricated truth
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Diotrephes
- Duty of care
- Denominationlism
- Faith the substance of all things
- Filthy rags
- Faith
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False prophets
- False Teaching
- False Preachers
- First gospel sermon
- Forgiveness
- Falling away
- Fake preachers
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- False brethren brought in
- False brethren
- Forget God?
- Gossip David Schmidt
- Grief
- Gospel broadcasting network
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- GOD
- God`s will for you
- Give account for yourself
- GOD is righteous
- Give no offence
- Gospel hid from the lost
- Gospel (good news)
- GOD built true church not man
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- Gospel Enacted
- Hypocrites
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How to get to heaven?
- Hypocrites1
- How is the church organized?
- Homosexuality
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Heaven/Hell
- Hymns
- Heart
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Jesus Christ
- Hope
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Identity of the church
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Influence of evil
- Influence
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- In Christ
- Jesus (way)
- Inspired word of GOD
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus is Lord
- JESUS STICKERS
- Inspiration what is it?
- JESUS
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus & children
- Jesus the way
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- Kingdom come ?
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Kenya gallery1
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- Lying Christians is their any without
- LORDS church part 1
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Lost
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lord`s church
- Lying wonder
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lamentations 3
- Ladies videos
- Leading to Christ
- LINKS
- Light of the world
- Lord`s supper
- Looking for things to get better
- More about JESUS
- Lying preachers
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Lying 1
- Making the change
- Mat 19:6
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- Moral issues
- No change
- New Creation
- None righteous no not one
- NT reveals one church
- Offenses
- Overcome evil with good
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Overcoming the world
- Obey the gospel
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Preaching Jesus
- Preach the word
- Pleasing God
- Persecution and Oppression
- Power of the tongue
- Persecution
- Prayer
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- Perverting the gospel
- practicing SIN
- Pray without ceasing
- Reject God
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- REPENT!
- References on request
- Root of all evil
- Riverside gallery
- Rule your own house?
- Repent
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Religious error
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- Salvation
- Repent Repent Repent
- Sober
- Such were some of you
- SINS
- SIN
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Stairway to heaven
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Sheet music
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- Service to GOD
- Searching for truth
- Sound teaching
- SERMONS
- STOP
- Sincere,True Ministry
- Slave of the creator
- Spirit of GOD
- Spirit to the churches
- SHEPHERD
- Searching for truth(book)
- Same sex marriage
- Speak evil of no man
- Slave of GOD
- Salvation of the LORD
- Standard of authority
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Turn from sin to GOD
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- Slander
- Truth about
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- The children
- The devil
- Truth for the world
- Time for truth
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Thanks to GOD
- Those who persecute you
- The Church
- The way we were
- Truth
- The Lord`s Supper
- The holy spirit
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- This is God`s church
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Vengeance
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Unified church James Watkins
- What is the Gospel?
- WOE WOE WOE
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- What must i do to be saved?
- What names on your sign
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- James Watkins
- When you die
- Withdrawal fellowship
- What GOD has cleansed
- Wearing the crown
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- Wonderful Grace
- Whose family are u ruling
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- Worship
- Worshipping idols not God
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- Walking with GOD
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Worship to God
- What is the church?
- Wonderfully made
- You must be born again
- Your unbelief
- You give good gifts
- Wicked
- You are not your own
- GOD created all things in 6 days
/