Autonomy – “Self-Ruled” Churches
Introduction. The term “autonomy” (self-ruled) is not used in the Bible. Although it is a succinct and clear way to describe how Jesus rules and directs His churches, it is among the most complex and misunderstood topics in Scripture. Many have never heard of it and very few fully understand it, but it is fundamental to the church.
Universal Perspective. The church is viewed from two perspectives in Scripture. Looked at by Jesus from heaven and eternity, He views all disciples as one church. Jesus is “head over all things to the church which is His body,” and “I will build my church” are both singular, because in eternity, where a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as day, there is only one church, ever growing, until the end of this age. Those living today are in the same church as Paul and Peter. Time and distance mean nothing to our eternal and omnipresent Savior.
The Church Begins. It is evident that when Jesus said, “I will build” the event was still in the future. The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost to inspire Peter to preach the sermon to open the door. The results were that “those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added.” Jesus’ church began and it is into this church they were added. (Mt. 28:18; Eph. 1:20-23; Mt. 16:16-19; Acts 2).
Local Perspective. Those living in time can only see churches separated by time and distance. It was one of these churches that Saul persecuted. It was only “against the church which was at Jerusalem.” He scattered the church in Jerusalem “throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.” What happened next forms our understanding of God’s intent for the churches on earth. When “those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word,” new churches came into being. They were all part of Jesus eternal universal church, but God also saw each city that had disciples as a local church in time. After Saul became a Christian and an apostle, not only was there a church in Jerusalem, but also “churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria.” (Acts 8-9).
“In every church” The rest of the book of Acts records the spread of the gospel with more and more churches coming into existence. The first indication that they would operate separately (a.k.a. autonomously) occurred when the inspired Paul was “appointing elders in every church.” (Acts 14:23). Paul later told Titus, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.”. (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). Having elders in every church reveals that God intended to make churches on earth independent of one another. There is no indication anywhere in the Scriptures that churches were seen as a group of churches. Each church always had its own work and its own elders to direct it.
Relationship between churches. The passage revealing the relationship between churches and their elders was written to all the churches in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. (1Pet. 1:1). The Holy Spirit spoke to every elder “in every church” and “in every city” in these provinces. He revealed that elders are also shepherds and overseers (bishops). Each of these terms describes their work and responsibility. Second it is revealed that Jesus is the chief shepherd over all churches. Third, that the elders in each church oversee only that one church.
An important limitation. The command that elders “shepherd the flock of God which is among you,” limits the elders in each church to shepherd only the single flock that is in their midst. The only flock “entrusted to” the elders are those sheep that are in their midst. When elders are limited in their authority and influence to a single local church, it is clear that each church is separate from all other churches. Each individual church is self-ruled, working under their own shepherds with Jesus as their chief shepherd. This fulfills a prophecy God gave about His Messiah:
It is easy to see the fulfillment of this prophecy. First, God gathered the remnant by calling them through the gospel (2Th. 2:14) and brought back all who obeyed the gospel call. Each church is seen by God as a new fold where sheep are protected by the shepherds God has “set up” over them. These shepherds are the elders and overseers who tend the flock (fold) of God which is among them.
Under one Chief Shepherd. In Ezekiel 34:23-24 God foretold that He would give all the sheep in all the folds one shepherd, My servant David, (who is Jesus) to feed them, be their chief shepherd, and watch over all the folds (churches) all over the world in each generation.
Combining these two prophecies, each church is a fold having its own shepherds who feed and protect the sheep in that one fold. These elders who shepherd and oversee are under the direction and authority of the chief shepherd, Jesus. The authority given to the elders to oversee and guide the flock is limited to a single fold (local church). Each sheep is commanded to be in submission to the shepherds who are watching over them.
There is no doubt that Jesus is the one shepherd promised by God. It was promised in prophecy and Jesus told us it is Him. He is the good shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11-16). He knows each and every sheep.
The “other sheep” are disciples from the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit sent Peter to Cornelius to bring the Gentiles (other sheep) into the fold of the one shepherd. They too are His sheep, hearing His voice. From that day until this, Jesus has watched over this one flock. “There will be one flock and one shepherd.”
While some today express doubt and even ignore the importance of elders in every local church, they are not only foolish and wrong, but also walking contrary to the conduct God expected of those He invited into His house. What Paul wrote to Timothy was written to show how men should conduct themselves in His house which is the church of the living God.
How should men conduct themselves? The work of bishops (overseers) is a good work to be pursued by all who are qualified. When men conduct themselves by appointed elders in every church, they are conducting themselves properly. When we add Paul’s additional words to Titus, it is clear that it is the elders who are working as overseers in every church.
Universal Perspective. The church is viewed from two perspectives in Scripture. Looked at by Jesus from heaven and eternity, He views all disciples as one church. Jesus is “head over all things to the church which is His body,” and “I will build my church” are both singular, because in eternity, where a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as day, there is only one church, ever growing, until the end of this age. Those living today are in the same church as Paul and Peter. Time and distance mean nothing to our eternal and omnipresent Savior.
The Church Begins. It is evident that when Jesus said, “I will build” the event was still in the future. The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost to inspire Peter to preach the sermon to open the door. The results were that “those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added.” Jesus’ church began and it is into this church they were added. (Mt. 28:18; Eph. 1:20-23; Mt. 16:16-19; Acts 2).
Local Perspective. Those living in time can only see churches separated by time and distance. It was one of these churches that Saul persecuted. It was only “against the church which was at Jerusalem.” He scattered the church in Jerusalem “throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.” What happened next forms our understanding of God’s intent for the churches on earth. When “those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word,” new churches came into being. They were all part of Jesus eternal universal church, but God also saw each city that had disciples as a local church in time. After Saul became a Christian and an apostle, not only was there a church in Jerusalem, but also “churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria.” (Acts 8-9).
“In every church” The rest of the book of Acts records the spread of the gospel with more and more churches coming into existence. The first indication that they would operate separately (a.k.a. autonomously) occurred when the inspired Paul was “appointing elders in every church.” (Acts 14:23). Paul later told Titus, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.”. (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). Having elders in every church reveals that God intended to make churches on earth independent of one another. There is no indication anywhere in the Scriptures that churches were seen as a group of churches. Each church always had its own work and its own elders to direct it.
Relationship between churches. The passage revealing the relationship between churches and their elders was written to all the churches in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. (1Pet. 1:1). The Holy Spirit spoke to every elder “in every church” and “in every city” in these provinces. He revealed that elders are also shepherds and overseers (bishops). Each of these terms describes their work and responsibility. Second it is revealed that Jesus is the chief shepherd over all churches. Third, that the elders in each church oversee only that one church.
- The elders who are among you I exhort, ... 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, ... 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1Pet. 5:1-4)
An important limitation. The command that elders “shepherd the flock of God which is among you,” limits the elders in each church to shepherd only the single flock that is in their midst. The only flock “entrusted to” the elders are those sheep that are in their midst. When elders are limited in their authority and influence to a single local church, it is clear that each church is separate from all other churches. Each individual church is self-ruled, working under their own shepherds with Jesus as their chief shepherd. This fulfills a prophecy God gave about His Messiah:
- I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4 I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more. (Jer. 23:3-4)
It is easy to see the fulfillment of this prophecy. First, God gathered the remnant by calling them through the gospel (2Th. 2:14) and brought back all who obeyed the gospel call. Each church is seen by God as a new fold where sheep are protected by the shepherds God has “set up” over them. These shepherds are the elders and overseers who tend the flock (fold) of God which is among them.
Under one Chief Shepherd. In Ezekiel 34:23-24 God foretold that He would give all the sheep in all the folds one shepherd, My servant David, (who is Jesus) to feed them, be their chief shepherd, and watch over all the folds (churches) all over the world in each generation.
- I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them — My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them;
Combining these two prophecies, each church is a fold having its own shepherds who feed and protect the sheep in that one fold. These elders who shepherd and oversee are under the direction and authority of the chief shepherd, Jesus. The authority given to the elders to oversee and guide the flock is limited to a single fold (local church). Each sheep is commanded to be in submission to the shepherds who are watching over them.
- Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. (Heb. 13:17)
There is no doubt that Jesus is the one shepherd promised by God. It was promised in prophecy and Jesus told us it is Him. He is the good shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11-16). He knows each and every sheep.
- I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep... 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. ... And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
The “other sheep” are disciples from the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit sent Peter to Cornelius to bring the Gentiles (other sheep) into the fold of the one shepherd. They too are His sheep, hearing His voice. From that day until this, Jesus has watched over this one flock. “There will be one flock and one shepherd.”
While some today express doubt and even ignore the importance of elders in every local church, they are not only foolish and wrong, but also walking contrary to the conduct God expected of those He invited into His house. What Paul wrote to Timothy was written to show how men should conduct themselves in His house which is the church of the living God.
- These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how men ought to conduct themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1Tim. 3:14-16)
How should men conduct themselves? The work of bishops (overseers) is a good work to be pursued by all who are qualified. When men conduct themselves by appointed elders in every church, they are conducting themselves properly. When we add Paul’s additional words to Titus, it is clear that it is the elders who are working as overseers in every church.
- This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop (overseer), he desires a good work. 2 A bishop (overseer) then must be ... (1Tim. 3:1-2)
- appoint elders in every city as I commanded you — 6 if a man is blameless, ... 7 For a bishop must be blameless, (Titus 1:5-7)