Please note. All Bible quotations and references are for the English Standard Version, ESV, unless otherwise stated.
#1. What do most modern churches look like?
Does the modern Church reflect what a New Testament Church looked like?
- First Baptist Church
- Providence Church
- Multi Campus Churches – C3 has just moved into the area
- Aspiring to have a TV ministry and 1000’s attending
Example features:
- Thousands of attendees?
- Flashy sound and light show?
- A paid staff?
- A paid preacher?
- What other features spring to mind?
#2. What do worldly organizations look like?
CEO/Chairman
-Board of Directors
–VPs
—Managers
—-Staff
–>Authority flowing down a hierarchy
Example features:
- Thousands of employees
- Flashy gimmicks to attract people
- A paid staff
- A paid figurehead
- Permanent and dedicated premises
- Always needing more growth, more revenue/income
- What other features spring to mind?
#3. Where did the New Testament Churches meet?
We know that some were able to meet in Temples, but this was because they were still attached to the Jewish religion – they were ‘hedging their bets’ and attending both:
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. Acts 2:45–47
Great persecution, followed resulting in Christians having to meet in their homes or in caves:
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Acts 8:1–3
There are other references to meetings in homes…
“When he [Peter] realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who is called Mark, where there were many people gathered in prayer ” Acts 12:12
… including Paul sending greetings to house churches:
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Romans 16:3-5
#4. Who is the Head of the Church?
Jesus Christ is the only Head of the Church
He is the head of the church, which is his body
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:22–23 And he is the head of the body, the church. Colossians 1:18
The headquarters of Christ’s Church is where the Head is – in heaven:
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also John 14:1–3 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9–11
In other words – there is no place in God’s plan for a Pope, President, CEO or Dictator!
#5. Who does the Bible say oversees Churches?
In Acts 20:17-35, Paul speaks directly to the elders, saying that the Holy Spirit made them overseers of the flock.
The same group are referred to, interchangeably as elders and overseers.
In Greek, elders is πρεσβυτέρους (presbyterous) and overseers is ἐπισκόπους (episkopous).
There is a consistent description of the Qualifications for Elders and we can see this in Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and 1 Peter 5:1-5.
Qualifications for Elders This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:5-9
Qualifications for Overseers The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Shepherd the Flock of God So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:1–5
These are the Shepherds – the ones who are overall responsible. Elders oversee the Spiritual needs of the Body.
#6. Deacon – another key role
As stated, Deacons look after the physical needs of the church.
Qualifications for Deacons Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:8–13.
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. Acts 6:1–3.
#7. Do those with Spiritual Gifts have a leadership role?
The Spiritual Gifts:
Wisdom Knowledge Faith Healing Miracles Prophecy Discernment of Spirits Various kinds of Tongues Interpretation of Tongues 1 Corinthians 12:1–11.
Prophecy Service Teaching Exhortation Giving / Generosity Leaders Mercy Romans 12:3–8
Could we, for example, have a Teaching Ministry or a Healing Ministry?
If we did, who would they be accountable to?
- Our Church Body concluded that we could establish these.
- Leaders, appointed by the Elders (and approved by the Body) would be accountable to the Elders.
What other roles could exist in a Church and how would they fit in?
- Our Church Body concluded that other roles would depend on the needs of the Body.
- Leadership would typically be accountable to the Elders (though Elders could delegate as they saw fit).
Should we have paid roles?
- See below for Bible references on payment
#8. Should our work for the Lord be paid?
For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 1 Thessalonians 2:9–10
Warning Against Idleness Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 2 Thessalonians 3:6–12
Conclusion
- Our work should not be paid – our reward is not on earth
- Our Body concluded that although this was the position of our Body, we could hire contractors to perform specific tasks
- Our Body also concluded that this was not an absolute position – Paul was expressing a strong preference not a command from God
#9. Do you have an understanding of how the New Testament Church was organized?
Based on our understanding from the Bible…
- How are we to behave toward one another?
- Do you think that mega-churches are a good idea?
- Are paid staff a good idea?
- What is a Pastor?
- Is a Pastor the same as a Preacher?
- Is Preacher a Church Leadership role?
- What are the defined Leadership roles in the Bible?
- Can we have others leading in the Church?
- How do our Spiritual Giftings fit into leadership roles?
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