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 AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion (forced termination)
- Animations GBN
- Abounding hope
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- Allelua Amen
- Are you a Christian
- All have sinned
- All scripture
- All authority
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Accuser
- Are you the enemy of God
- Abomination
- All power is of God
- Acts conversion chart
- Apologetics press
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- All things work together for good
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Authority
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Baptizm search for truth
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptized into Christ
- Baptizm point
- Born of water & spirit
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Blessed is the man
- Bible super human
- Born again
- Bible verse of the day
- Bible God breathed
- Brand new creation
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Bought with a price
- Bible is totally reliable
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Blessing or curse
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Be not many masters.
- Rebaptizm scriptually
- Beyond the logos
- Bethel
- Bible read & listen
- Bible inspiration
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Christ
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Church built by GOD
- Coming home
- CONTACT
- CONTACT US
- Cast the first stone
- Church built on Christ
- Christianity 101
- Choice 2
- Committed to GOD
- Children giving glory to GOD
- Children learn what they live
- Childrens video
- Christianity full time privilledge
- Counsel of GOD superior than man
- Creation
- Choice I
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Dishonoring GOD
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Dictionary
- Does doctrine matter
- Drinking alcohol
- Deception of false teachers
- Day of the Lord
- Duty of care
- Denominationlism
- Divorce and remarriage
- Essentials of salvation Sunday april 16 2023
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Fabricated truth
- Filthy rags
- False Teaching
- Forgiveness
- False prophets
- Faith
- First gospel sermon
- Falling away
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False brethren
- False Preachers
- False brethren brought in
- Forget God?
- Faith the substance of all things
- Fake preachers
- Grief
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- GOD
- Gossip David Schmidt
- GOD created all things in 6 days
- Give account for yourself
- Gospel broadcasting network
- Give no offence
- GOD is righteous
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- GOD first
- GOD built true church not man
- Gospel Enacted
- God`s will for you
- Gospel hid from the lost
- Gospel (good news)
- Hypocrites
- How to get to heaven?
- Hear believe repent confess baptizm
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How is the church organized?
- Hymns
- Hear-believe-repent-confess-be immersed
- Hypocrites1
- Homosexuality
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Heart
- Heaven/Hell
- Hope
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Is Any Church the LORDS NO! NO!
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Jesus Christ
- Identity of the church
- Inspired word of GOD
- Influence
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Influence of evil
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- In Christ
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- Inspiration what is it?
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Jesus (way)
- JESUS STICKERS
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus in new testament
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- JESUS
- Jesus & children
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Kingdom come ?
- Kenya gallery1
- Jesus the way
- Lying Christians is their any without
- Lose your soul?
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- LORDS church part 1
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lost
- Lord`s church
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Lamentations 3
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lord`s supper
- Lying wonder
- LINKS
- Ladies videos
- Leading to Christ
- Lying preachers
- Looking for things to get better
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Light of the world
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Lying 1
- Mat 19:6
- More about JESUS
- Making the change
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Moral issues
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- New Creation
- None righteous no not one
- No change
- NT reveals one church
- One Body
- Offenses
- Overcoming the world
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Obey the gospel
- Overcome evil with good
- OneGodOneChurch
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Pleasing God
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Persecution and Oppression
- Preaching Jesus
- practicing SIN
- Pray without ceasing
- Prayer
- Perverting the gospel
- Persecution
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- References on request
- Power of the tongue
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- Reject God
- Root of all evil
- REPENT!
- Riverside gallery
- Preach the word
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- Religious error
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Repent
- Repent Repent Repent
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- SIN
- Such were some of you
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- SINS
- Sheet music
- Sober
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- SERMONS
- Sound teaching
- Spirit of GOD
- Rule your own house?
- Salvation
- Stairway to heaven
- SHEPHERD
- Searching for truth
- Service to GOD
- Slave of the creator
- Same sex marriage
- Standard of authority
- Sincere,True Ministry
- STOP
- Spirit to the churches
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- Searching for truth(book)
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Speak evil of no man
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- Slander
- Short lessons
- Thanks to GOD
- Truth about
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- The children
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- Slave of GOD
- Time for truth
- The holy spirit
- Salvation of the LORD
- The Lord`s Supper
- The Church
- Those who persecute you
- This is God`s church
- The way we were
- The Body is the Church
- Truth for the world
- The devil
- The Lord is my shepherd
- Truth
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- Turn from sin to GOD
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Unified church James Watkins
- Vengeance
- WOE WOE WOE
- What names on your sign
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Wearing the crown
- Withdrawal fellowship
- James Watkins
- What GOD has cleansed
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- What is the Gospel?
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- When you die
- Worship
- Whose family are u ruling
- Wonderful Grace
- What must i do to be saved?
- Worshipping idols not God
- Walking with GOD
- Worship to God
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- What is the church?
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- Wicked
- Wonderfully made
- WE NEED JESUS
- You are not your own
- You must be born again
- Your unbelief
- You give good gifts
- You can join any denomination except the LORDS CHURCH
- Who`s church is it? Deity
- Home James Watkins
- Gossip is sin
- Home
- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion (forced termination)
- Animations GBN
- Abounding hope
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- Allelua Amen
- Are you a Christian
- All have sinned
- All scripture
- All authority
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Accuser
- Are you the enemy of God
- Abomination
- All power is of God
- Acts conversion chart
- Apologetics press
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- All things work together for good
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Authority
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Baptizm search for truth
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptized into Christ
- Baptizm point
- Born of water & spirit
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Blessed is the man
- Bible super human
- Born again
- Bible verse of the day
- Bible God breathed
- Brand new creation
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Bought with a price
- Bible is totally reliable
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Blessing or curse
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Be not many masters.
- Rebaptizm scriptually
- Beyond the logos
- Bethel
- Bible read & listen
- Bible inspiration
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Christ
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Church built by GOD
- Coming home
- CONTACT
- CONTACT US
- Cast the first stone
- Church built on Christ
- Christianity 101
- Choice 2
- Committed to GOD
- Children giving glory to GOD
- Children learn what they live
- Childrens video
- Christianity full time privilledge
- Counsel of GOD superior than man
- Creation
- Choice I
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Dishonoring GOD
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Dictionary
- Does doctrine matter
- Drinking alcohol
- Deception of false teachers
- Day of the Lord
- Duty of care
- Denominationlism
- Divorce and remarriage
- Essentials of salvation Sunday april 16 2023
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Fabricated truth
- Filthy rags
- False Teaching
- Forgiveness
- False prophets
- Faith
- First gospel sermon
- Falling away
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False brethren
- False Preachers
- False brethren brought in
- Forget God?
- Faith the substance of all things
- Fake preachers
- Grief
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- GOD
- Gossip David Schmidt
- GOD created all things in 6 days
- Give account for yourself
- Gospel broadcasting network
- Give no offence
- GOD is righteous
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- GOD first
- GOD built true church not man
- Gospel Enacted
- God`s will for you
- Gospel hid from the lost
- Gospel (good news)
- Hypocrites
- How to get to heaven?
- Hear believe repent confess baptizm
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How is the church organized?
- Hymns
- Hear-believe-repent-confess-be immersed
- Hypocrites1
- Homosexuality
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Heart
- Heaven/Hell
- Hope
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Is Any Church the LORDS NO! NO!
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Jesus Christ
- Identity of the church
- Inspired word of GOD
- Influence
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Influence of evil
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- In Christ
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- Inspiration what is it?
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Jesus (way)
- JESUS STICKERS
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus in new testament
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- JESUS
- Jesus & children
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Kingdom come ?
- Kenya gallery1
- Jesus the way
- Lying Christians is their any without
- Lose your soul?
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- LORDS church part 1
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lost
- Lord`s church
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Lamentations 3
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lord`s supper
- Lying wonder
- LINKS
- Ladies videos
- Leading to Christ
- Lying preachers
- Looking for things to get better
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Light of the world
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Lying 1
- Mat 19:6
- More about JESUS
- Making the change
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Moral issues
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- New Creation
- None righteous no not one
- No change
- NT reveals one church
- One Body
- Offenses
- Overcoming the world
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Obey the gospel
- Overcome evil with good
- OneGodOneChurch
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Pleasing God
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Persecution and Oppression
- Preaching Jesus
- practicing SIN
- Pray without ceasing
- Prayer
- Perverting the gospel
- Persecution
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- References on request
- Power of the tongue
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- Reject God
- Root of all evil
- REPENT!
- Riverside gallery
- Preach the word
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- Religious error
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Repent
- Repent Repent Repent
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- SIN
- Such were some of you
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- SINS
- Sheet music
- Sober
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- SERMONS
- Sound teaching
- Spirit of GOD
- Rule your own house?
- Salvation
- Stairway to heaven
- SHEPHERD
- Searching for truth
- Service to GOD
- Slave of the creator
- Same sex marriage
- Standard of authority
- Sincere,True Ministry
- STOP
- Spirit to the churches
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- Searching for truth(book)
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Speak evil of no man
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- Slander
- Short lessons
- Thanks to GOD
- Truth about
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- The children
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- Slave of GOD
- Time for truth
- The holy spirit
- Salvation of the LORD
- The Lord`s Supper
- The Church
- Those who persecute you
- This is God`s church
- The way we were
- The Body is the Church
- Truth for the world
- The devil
- The Lord is my shepherd
- Truth
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- Turn from sin to GOD
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Unified church James Watkins
- Vengeance
- WOE WOE WOE
- What names on your sign
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Wearing the crown
- Withdrawal fellowship
- James Watkins
- What GOD has cleansed
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- What is the Gospel?
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- When you die
- Worship
- Whose family are u ruling
- Wonderful Grace
- What must i do to be saved?
- Worshipping idols not God
- Walking with GOD
- Worship to God
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- What is the church?
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- Wicked
- Wonderfully made
- WE NEED JESUS
- You are not your own
- You must be born again
- Your unbelief
- You give good gifts
- You can join any denomination except the LORDS CHURCH
- Who`s church is it? Deity
- Home James Watkins
- Gossip is sin
/