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How about the government of local churches (part 2)?


Introduction. In part 1, we saw that the government of the First Century churches consisted of the rule of elders. Denominational government, the pastoral system (rule of preacher), and the control of deacons, we observed, are foreign to the scriptures, We saw the six English terms used to designate these man and their special meanings.

A plurality of elders are to be in each local church. Beloved, you never read about ‘the elder" or "the bishop" of a local church. It was not until after the First Century that churches bean to unscripturally have "the bishop concept" (see Ecclesiastical History, vol. 1, pgs. 116, 117, by Mosheim). Consistently, "elders" are mentioned ruling over a local church (Act 14: 23, Tit. 1: 5).

These overseers only ruled the local church in which they served. Shepherds only have the oversight of the flock "which is among you" (1 Pet. 5:1-2). Never do you read of one eldership over seeing another church or churches. This is because each local church was separate or autonomous. "All the churches, in those primitive times," writes Mosheim, a celebrated church historian, "Were independent bodies..." (Ecclesiastical History, vol. 1, pg. 72). Historian Lyman Coleman wrote, "These churches, whenever formed, became separate and independent bodies, competent to appoint their own officers..." (Ancient Christianity Exemplified, pg. 95).

These men had to meet certain qualifications. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-11 you read of twenty-four qualifications which "must be" met. They are to be men who are married, who have children, and have obtained a certain spiritual maturity.

Application. What kind of government does the church have of which you are a part?
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