Study of the Church (Government of the Church)

Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd. P.O. Box #3762 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-1516

- Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 -

GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH

I. MINIMAL GOVERNMENT

A. Organization at a minimum

B. Small group of elders

C. Emphasis on spiritual gifts

D. Membership downplayed

E. Discipline exercised

F. Problems

1. not enough organization in doctrine and logistics

2. extreme isolationists

G. Quakers, Plymouth Brethren

II. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

A. State organized churches

B. State ruled churches

C. State involvement varied

D. As citizens, Christians should obey Government (Ro 13:1-7)

E. Problems:

1. Scripture teaches separation of Church and State (Mt.22:21)

2. Church discipline does not involve the government (Mt 18:17; 1 Co 6:1-6)

F. Anglican Church (England), Lutheran Church (Germany)

III. HIERARCHICAL GOVERNMENT

A. Ruling body in orders or ranks

B. Subordinate to hierarchy

C. Problems:

1. Assumption of terms of “bishops” and “elders” (Titus 1:5-7)

2. Didache (1st Cent teaching manual) only mentions “bishops”

3. Apostolic office ended by 1st Cent.

4. Succession of doctrine, not apostolic authority (2 Ti 2:2)

D. Methodist (less absolute); Episcopal (more absolute); Roman Catholic (totally absolute i.e. Pope)

IV. CONGREGATIONAL GOVERNMENT

A. Ultimate authority of members

B. Independent from individuals and organizations

C. Discipline by entire church (Mt 18:17; 1Co 5:4-5)

D. Leadership by appointment by the church (Acts 6:3-5; Acts 15:22)

E. Problems:

1. Delegated leaders, but counts as one vote

2. Dictatorial Pastors (cp. 1Pe 5:2-3)

3. Carnal Christians deciding for church (1Co 3:1-3)

F. Baptist, Congregational Christian Churches

V. FEDERAL (PRESBYTERIAN) GOVERNMENT

A. Major authority of Church Leaders (Heb 13:17; Titus 1:5)

B. Members retain some power

C. In denominations, authority of Organizational Leaders

D. Federal Government would support office of elders (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5; 1 Pet 5:1)

E. Federal Government would support office of Deacons but not mandatory (Act 6:1-4; 1 Tim 3:8-13;Titus 1:5)

F. Leadership by appointment by the elders (Acts 14:23; Tit 1:5)

G. Problems:

1. Federal Government in Denominational churches can become totalitarian.

2. Leadership by appointment by totalitarian elders.

H. Presbyterian, Reformed, Independent Bible, some Independent Baptist

I. Considerations:

1. Federal Government appears to be most biblical in an Independent Church.

2. Biblically, there is a blend of Federal and Congregational.

3. Perhaps the biblical view could be said to be an elder ruled church with congregational involvement and confirmation.

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