How about the government of local churches (part 1)?
Introduction. Most local churches are denominational in government. That is to say, they are usually controlled by an external body or headquarters. Some, in addition to the foregoing and, in some cases, concurrent, have the pastorial system (rule of the preacher) or the rule of deacons.
The government of the Lord's church consists of the rule of elders. Beloved, denominational government, the pastorial system, and the rule of deacons are all foreign to the New Testament. What we do see taught is certain men who met certain qualifications ruling local churches of which they were members (1 Thes. 5:12,13). There are three Greek words from which we have six English words. These men are called "elders" (Acts 14:23) and presbytery" (1 Tim. 4:14); "overseers" (Acts 20:28) and "bishops" (1 Tim. 3:1); "shepherds" (1 Pet. 5:2,3) and "pastors" (Eph. 4:11).
Each of these terms applied to those who rule denotes a special aspect of these men. For example, "elder" (from presbuterion, Tit. 1:5) denotes one who is older; hence, experienced. "Overseer" describes one's ability to superintend (from episcopos, Phili. 1:1). And "pastor" suggests his ability to feed the flock (from poimen, Eph. 4:11).
Each local church is to have the rule of elders. Toward the end of Paul's first journey, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to appoint elders "in every church..." (Acts 14:23). Paul left Titus on Crete to "ordain elders in every city..." (Tit. 1:5). The absence of elders constituted a "wanting" or lacking condition in these churches (Tit. 1:5). (To be continued in part 2).
The government of the Lord's church consists of the rule of elders. Beloved, denominational government, the pastorial system, and the rule of deacons are all foreign to the New Testament. What we do see taught is certain men who met certain qualifications ruling local churches of which they were members (1 Thes. 5:12,13). There are three Greek words from which we have six English words. These men are called "elders" (Acts 14:23) and presbytery" (1 Tim. 4:14); "overseers" (Acts 20:28) and "bishops" (1 Tim. 3:1); "shepherds" (1 Pet. 5:2,3) and "pastors" (Eph. 4:11).
Each of these terms applied to those who rule denotes a special aspect of these men. For example, "elder" (from presbuterion, Tit. 1:5) denotes one who is older; hence, experienced. "Overseer" describes one's ability to superintend (from episcopos, Phili. 1:1). And "pastor" suggests his ability to feed the flock (from poimen, Eph. 4:11).
Each local church is to have the rule of elders. Toward the end of Paul's first journey, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to appoint elders "in every church..." (Acts 14:23). Paul left Titus on Crete to "ordain elders in every city..." (Tit. 1:5). The absence of elders constituted a "wanting" or lacking condition in these churches (Tit. 1:5). (To be continued in part 2).