scriptual and unscripually organized churches
scriptual and unscripually organized churches
PRESENTED BY STEVEN SCHILLER
INTRODUCTION
In Ac 14:21,22-23, we read of Paul appointing elders while on his first missionary journey
Later, Paul instructed Titus to do the same thing on the island of Crete - Tit 1:5
The Bible reveals God intended for Christians to have the benefit of elders in each congregation...
Yet many congregations today do not enjoy this blessing
Reasons for why this is so vary, some scriptural and some unscriptural
Whatever the reason a church does not have elders...
It should be a temporary situation
The congregation should not be content without elders
The congregation should be prayerfully working toward the day when it has men qualified to serve as elders
This lesson is the first of several that will hopefully hasten the day when a congregation without elders will be blessed to have them
[For the benefit of those not familiar with the New Testament pattern of church organization...]
A REVIEW OF CHURCH ORGANIZATION
LOCAL CHURCHES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT...
Began wherever the gospel was preached and received
E.g., the church in Jerusalem - Ac 2:36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46-47
E.g., the church in Antioch of Syria - Ac 11:19,20,21,22,23,24,25-26
E.g., the churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia - Ac 14:21,22-23
Consisted of disciples who assembled together frequently
E.g., the church in Jerusalem - Ac 2:42
E.g., the church in Troas - Ac 20:7
E.g., the admonition given to the Hebrew Christians - He 10:24-25
-- These congregations were independent and autonomous, each answering directly to Christ as their Head, through the word of His apostles
WHEN COMPLETELY AND SCRIPTURALLY ORGANIZED...
A congregation had a plurality of specially qualified men serving as elders (also called by other terms as we will see, such as bishops) - e.g., Ac 14:23; 20:17
Elders (bishops) in the church were assisted by qualified men designated as deacons
A church might also have in their midst:
Prophets (though this work, like that of apostles, was temporary) - e.g., Ac 13:1
Teachers (those specially gifted toward this task) - e.g., Ac 13:1; 1Co 12:28; Jm 3:1
Evangelists (preachers of the gospel) - e.g., Ac 21:8; Ep 4:11; 2Ti 4:5
Filling out the congregation would be the rest of the disciples, called Christians or saints - cf. Ac 11:26; 1Co 1:2
-- An example of a scripturally organized church is seen in Php 1:1
THERE WERE "SCRIPTURALLY UNORGANIZED" CHURCHES...
This was the condition of the churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch prior to the appointment of elders - Ac 14:21,22-23
It should be noted that such a condition was evidently temporary
-- No church should ever be satisfied to remain permanently in such a condition
[To appreciate the need for qualified elders in each church, it helps to understand...]
DESCRIPTIVE TERMS IN REFERENCE TO ELDERS
THEY WERE CALLED ELDERS, OR PRESBYTERS...
As noted in Ac 14:23; 20:17
From the Greek word presbuteros, meaning "older"
Indicating "maturity of spiritual experience" - Vine's
Note the qualification ("not a novice") - 1Ti 3:6
THEY WERE ALSO CALLED BISHOPS, OR OVERSEERS...
Note that the elders were called "overseers" (bishops) - Ac 20:17,28
The elders were to serve as "overseers" (bishops) - 1Pe 5:1-2
From the Greek word episkopos, meaning "one who oversees, takes care of"
This is reference to the work they do (take care of the church of God) - cf. 1Ti 3:4-5
THEY WERE ALSO CALLED PASTORS, OR SHEPHERDS...
The English word "pastor" is found but once in the New Testament - Ep 4:11
It comes from the Greek word poimen, meaning "shepherd"
Elders were charged to "shepherd the church of God" - cf. Ac 20:28; 1Pe 5:1-2
THESE TERMS ILLUSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF ELDERS...
As Christians try to live godly lives, it is a blessing to have:
Spiritually experienced men (elders, presbyters) to guide us along
Qualified men watching over us (bishops, overseers) to see that we grow
Capable men feeding us (pastors, shepherds), protecting us from "grievous wolves"
Without elders, Christians in a congregation:
Must grow without the guidance and leadership God intended for His flock
Fail to have the benefit of spiritual encouragement God intended for His church
[Why then, would any congregation be content without elders? Yet there are several reasons...]
WHY CHURCHES DON'T HAVE ELDERS
SOME DON'T BELIEVE THEY ARE FOR TODAY...
They believe this office or function was only for first century churches
Has the need provided for by elders changed?
Or could the real reason for believing this be what we consider next?
SOME DON'T WANT TO HAVE ELDERS...
Perhaps because of bad experiences with unqualified elders in the past
Should we throw away the blessing because someone abused it?
Shall we discard marriage and family, because of the many bad ones?
Perhaps because some want to have preeminence - e.g., 3Jn 9
Without elders, it is easy for power hungry individuals to run a congregation
Many young men and unqualified older men like that kind of authority
Others have a problem submitting to elders (or to anyone, for that matter)
SOME DON'T MAKE THE EFFORT TO DEVELOP ELDERS...
Many men give little thought to one day serving as elders
Therefore they make little effort to develop their abilities
Is this not rather selfish?
God needs godly men to serve Him and His church in this capacity
But many are too busy in their jobs and planning their retirement
Certainly not all men have the potential to serve as elders
But how many did, but buried their talent under a pile of selfish interests in this life?
How might Christ judge them if such be the case?
Mt 25:14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29-30
CONCLUSION
There is a crying need for qualified men to serve as elders in churches today!
Churches often struggle without the benefit of elders
Evangelists and preachers are often burdened with doing what elders should be doing
-- In such cases, the growth of the gospel is hindered!
Everyone needs to be involved in fulfilling this need...
Men need to examine themselves
To see if they are qualified to serve
To diligently work toward meeting the qualifications if the potential is there
To encourage others who one day may be qualified, even if they themselves are not
All should be praying for this work
That God raise up men who are qualified
That men will be able to provide the leadership and care God desires for His children
-- What are you doing to expedite the development of men qualified to serve?
In our next study, we look more closely as the work of elders. For now, have we fully utilized the blessing of Jesus as the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls...? - cf. 1Pe 2:24-25
- Home
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Animations GBN
- All scripture
- Abortion (forced termination)
- Abounding hope
- Are you a Christian
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- All have sinned
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Awesome Father,Son,Holy spirit
- Are you the enemy of God
- Audio Bible (KJV)
- All authority
- All things work together for good
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Abomination
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- Authority
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- Acts conversion chart
- Accuser
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Apologetics press
- Baptizm search for truth
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Brand new creation
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Born again
- Bible super human
- Bethel
- Blessed is the man
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Bible verse of the day
- Be not many masters.
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Bible`s scientific foreknowledge
- Bible read & listen
- Bible inspiration
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Beyond the logos
- Coming home
- Children giving glory to GOD
- CONTACT US
- CONTACT
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
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- Christianity full time privilledge
- Christianity 101
- Church built on Christ
- Choice 2
- Children learn what they live
- Choice I
- Cast the first stone
- Committed to GOD
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Creation
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Childrens video
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Church built by GOD
- Does doctrine matter
- Duty of care
- Drinking alcohol
- Divorce and remarriage
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Dictionary
- Day of the Lord
- Diotrephes
- Deception of false teachers
- Denominationlism
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Fabricated truth
- Faith the substance of all things
- Faith
- False prophets
- Filthy rags
- Fake preachers
- First gospel sermon
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False Preachers
- False Teaching
- Forgiveness
- False brethren brought in
- Falling away
- False brethren
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- Forget God?
- Gossip David Schmidt
- God`s will for you
- Grief
- GOD
- Give no offence
- Gospel broadcasting network
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- Give account for yourself
- GOD is righteous
- GOD built true church not man
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- Gospel Enacted
- Hymns
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- How do you obey the gospel?
- Hypocrites
- How to get to heaven?
- Heart
- How is the church organized?
- Hypocrites1
- Heaven/Hell
- Homosexuality
- Hope
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Identity of the church
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- In Jesus Christ
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Influence
- Inspired word of GOD
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Inspiration what is it?
- In Christ
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- Influence of evil
- Jesus (way)
- JESUS
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus is Lord
- Jesus the way
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus & children
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- Kingdom come ?
- Kenya gallery1
- Lying Christians is their any without
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- LORDS church part 1
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Lost
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lord`s church
- Lamentations 3
- Lying wonder
- Leading to Christ
- Ladies videos
- Lying 1
- Lying preachers
- Lord`s supper
- Looking for things to get better
- LINKS
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Light of the world
- More about JESUS
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- Mat 19:6
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Making the change
- Moral issues
- None righteous no not one
- New Creation
- No change
- NT reveals one church
- Obey the gospel
- Overcoming the world
- Offenses
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Overcome evil with good
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Preach the word
- Pleasing God
- Preaching Jesus
- Persecution and Oppression
- Persecution
- Power of the tongue
- Pray without ceasing
- practicing SIN
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- Perverting the gospel
- Prayer
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- References on request
- Reject God
- REPENT!
- Root of all evil
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Rule your own house?
- Riverside gallery
- Repent
- Religious error
- Such were some of you
- Repent Repent Repent
- Salvation
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- SIN
- Sober
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Sheet music
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- Stairway to heaven
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Searching for truth
- Spirit to the churches
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- Service to GOD
- STOP
- Sound teatching
- Sincere,True Ministry
- SERMONS
- Slave of GOD
- Slave of the creator
- SHEPHERD
- Salvation of the LORD
- Spirit of GOD
- Searching for truth(book)
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- Same sex marriage
- Speak evil of no man
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- Standard of authority
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- SINS
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Slander
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- The devil
- The children
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- Turn from sin to GOD
- Truth about
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- Truth
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Those who persecute you
- Truth for the world
- Time for truth
- The Lord`s Supper
- The Church
- Thanks to GOD
- The holy spirit
- This is God`s church
- The way we were
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Unless the Lord build the house
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- Unified church James Watkins
- Vengeance
- WOE WOE WOE
- What is the Gospel?
- What must i do to be saved?
- What names on your sign
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- James Watkins
- When you die
- What GOD has cleansed
- Withdrawal fellowship
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- Wearing the crown
- Whose family are u ruling
- Worship
- Wonderful Grace
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- Walking with GOD
- Worshipping idols not God
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Worship to God
- What is the church?
- Wonderfully made
- You must be born again
- You give good gifts
- Your unbelief
- Home
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Animations GBN
- All scripture
- Abortion (forced termination)
- Abounding hope
- Are you a Christian
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- All have sinned
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Awesome Father,Son,Holy spirit
- Are you the enemy of God
- Audio Bible (KJV)
- All authority
- All things work together for good
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Abomination
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- Authority
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- Acts conversion chart
- Accuser
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Apologetics press
- Baptizm search for truth
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Brand new creation
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Born again
- Bible super human
- Bethel
- Blessed is the man
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Bible verse of the day
- Be not many masters.
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Bible`s scientific foreknowledge
- Bible read & listen
- Bible inspiration
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Beyond the logos
- Coming home
- Children giving glory to GOD
- CONTACT US
- CONTACT
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Christ
- Christianity full time privilledge
- Christianity 101
- Church built on Christ
- Choice 2
- Children learn what they live
- Choice I
- Cast the first stone
- Committed to GOD
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Creation
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Childrens video
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Church built by GOD
- Does doctrine matter
- Duty of care
- Drinking alcohol
- Divorce and remarriage
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Dictionary
- Day of the Lord
- Diotrephes
- Deception of false teachers
- Denominationlism
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Fabricated truth
- Faith the substance of all things
- Faith
- False prophets
- Filthy rags
- Fake preachers
- First gospel sermon
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False Preachers
- False Teaching
- Forgiveness
- False brethren brought in
- Falling away
- False brethren
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- Forget God?
- Gossip David Schmidt
- God`s will for you
- Grief
- GOD
- Give no offence
- Gospel broadcasting network
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- Give account for yourself
- GOD is righteous
- GOD built true church not man
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- Gospel Enacted
- Hymns
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- How do you obey the gospel?
- Hypocrites
- How to get to heaven?
- Heart
- How is the church organized?
- Hypocrites1
- Heaven/Hell
- Homosexuality
- Hope
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Identity of the church
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- In Jesus Christ
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Influence
- Inspired word of GOD
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Inspiration what is it?
- In Christ
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- Influence of evil
- Jesus (way)
- JESUS
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus is Lord
- Jesus the way
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus & children
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- Kingdom come ?
- Kenya gallery1
- Lying Christians is their any without
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- LORDS church part 1
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Lost
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lord`s church
- Lamentations 3
- Lying wonder
- Leading to Christ
- Ladies videos
- Lying 1
- Lying preachers
- Lord`s supper
- Looking for things to get better
- LINKS
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Light of the world
- More about JESUS
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- Mat 19:6
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Making the change
- Moral issues
- None righteous no not one
- New Creation
- No change
- NT reveals one church
- Obey the gospel
- Overcoming the world
- Offenses
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Overcome evil with good
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Preach the word
- Pleasing God
- Preaching Jesus
- Persecution and Oppression
- Persecution
- Power of the tongue
- Pray without ceasing
- practicing SIN
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- Perverting the gospel
- Prayer
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- References on request
- Reject God
- REPENT!
- Root of all evil
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Rule your own house?
- Riverside gallery
- Repent
- Religious error
- Such were some of you
- Repent Repent Repent
- Salvation
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- SIN
- Sober
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Sheet music
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- Stairway to heaven
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Searching for truth
- Spirit to the churches
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- Service to GOD
- STOP
- Sound teatching
- Sincere,True Ministry
- SERMONS
- Slave of GOD
- Slave of the creator
- SHEPHERD
- Salvation of the LORD
- Spirit of GOD
- Searching for truth(book)
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- Same sex marriage
- Speak evil of no man
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- Standard of authority
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- SINS
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Slander
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- The devil
- The children
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- Turn from sin to GOD
- Truth about
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- Truth
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Those who persecute you
- Truth for the world
- Time for truth
- The Lord`s Supper
- The Church
- Thanks to GOD
- The holy spirit
- This is God`s church
- The way we were
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Unless the Lord build the house
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- Unified church James Watkins
- Vengeance
- WOE WOE WOE
- What is the Gospel?
- What must i do to be saved?
- What names on your sign
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- James Watkins
- When you die
- What GOD has cleansed
- Withdrawal fellowship
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- Wearing the crown
- Whose family are u ruling
- Worship
- Wonderful Grace
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- Walking with GOD
- Worshipping idols not God
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Worship to God
- What is the church?
- Wonderfully made
- You must be born again
- You give good gifts
- Your unbelief
/