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IX.      Church Government Established

Biblically the Church is an organism not an organization—a movement, not a monument. It is not a part of the community; it is a completely new community. It is not an orderly gathering; it is a new order with new values, often in sharp conflict with the values of the surrounding society.  Much of the church is caught up in the success mania of American society. Often more concerned with budgets and building programs than with the body of Christ, the church places more emphasis on growth than on repentance. Suffering, sacrifice, and service have been preempted by success and self-fulfillment.  Charles Colson (1931)

A church that is soundly rooted cannot be destroyed, but nothing can save a church whose root is dried up. No stimulation, no advertising campaigns, no gifts of money and no beautiful edifice can bring back life to the rootless tree.  A. W. Tozer (1897–1963)

These quotations by two brilliant men from different generations have encapsulated the church.  Paul had seen these same reasons, only over1900 years earlier.   The Church, having been established by God’s sovereignty, control, and will, were set forth very simply, yet as a dynamic pattern for all churches and believers to copy.  The Church was born by lay believers sharing Christ with everyone, no matter who they were, both Gentile and Jew.  The Church was born through the hand of the Lord, by His sovereignty and control.

The mother church heard about the witness of the scattered believers; remember, the apostles and the leaders of the church were still in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was still considered the mother church, the one to whom the scattered churches looked for leadership. The church and its leaders wanted to help the new churches springing up all around. The purpose is clearly seen in what Barnabas did. The mother church wanted the new churches... to have ministerial help (Ac.11:22), to be exhorted (Ac.11:23), and to be taught (Ac.11:26). A missionary disciple was commissioned to help the new churches, Barnabas.

          A.       Barnabas

His ministry: exhortation.  The message was “with purpose of heart”: a determined, set, focused, resolute, steady, purposed heart; to “cleave unto the Lord”: to continue, be constant, loyal, steadfast, persistent, persevering, and faithful.

His character was striking: “Good” (agathos): upright, just, moral, honorable, and pleasing to God. He was what he should be inwardly and outwardly. He was full of the Holy Spirit: conscious and aware of the Spirit’s presence, power, control and discipline, His will and purpose, guidance and direction—all the fruit of the Spirit. As Barnabas shows, no disciple of the Lord, certainly no minister of the Gospel should be any less.

          B.       Ministry At Antioch

The need was sensed and the decision was made to seek for addition help. The only question was who should be secured. The task was large and Barnabas alone could not accomplish what was needed. A unique person was needed, a person who not only had a Jewish background, but who knew the Greek language and culture and could relate to both Gentile and Jew alike. The person also needed to be fearless and bold in his witness for Christ because of the godless, immoral society of Antioch.

Barnabas knew such a man Saul of Tarsus. So he set out to find him. The word “seek” means to search for, to search back and forth, up and down; to make a thorough search. Paul had been busy throughout Syria and Cilicia preaching Christ (Ga.1:21). Apparently Barnabas had difficulty finding him. He knew God’s will, so he did not give up the search. He kept searching until he found God’s choice.

Barnabas traveled to Tarsus and found Saul.  He persuaded Saul to accompany him to Antioch.  Barnabas and Saul ministered a full year in Antioch, teaching great numbers of people. The Church was continuing to grow numerically.  Barnabas and Saul establish the first traditions of the Early Church- teaching.  People were recognizing Christians as a distinct group. The Church was more and more being separated from Judaism.

But with the advent of Barnabas and Saul, the Antiochian church history enters on a new phase. It became the center of progress and of historical interest in the Church. A new stage in the development of the Antiochian church is here marked. It was no longer a mere congregation; it was now “the church” in Antioch; and there was in it a group of prophets and teachers to whom the grace of God was given.  The time-frame of teaching had now motivated and encouraged mission.

          C.       Sending to Mission

The church now had direction and purpose.  Paul knew that he was called to preach to the Gentiles, but a direction was needed and an organism would need to grow to support and encourage disciples.  That organism was the Church.  Paul preached that the Church needed to be alive with desire, dedication, commitment and sacrifice, without which the Body of Christ would become just another arm of religion.  Paul through his journeys established churches for the purpose of mission:  not for gathering only, but for mission.  Paul would spend the rest of his life writing, editing, performing, correcting and establishing framework for the modern Church throughout his letters to the churches and individuals.  The Apostle was always appointed by God and not by the church. The proof of Apostleship lay in the possession of apostolic message and powers, conversion of others and performance of signs and advancing the mission.

          D.       Six Characteristics of a “USABLE” Christian/ Acts 11:29-30

                    1.       Unstained by our culture. (11:19-20, 22, 26)

At Antioch the believer were first called Christians, the “little Christs”. There are some distinctions of a church that must be kept intact. We bear the name of our Savior.

2.       Stretch our limits. (11:19; 12:1-3)

From a close look at the Early Church, we see clearly that struggle, rejection, criticism, and even death for believers was the norm.

3.       Adhering to the Savior. (11:21, 23, 26)

Barnabas encouraged the believers to make a serious, solid attachment to Christ and Christ alone.

4.       Bold in our witness. 11:19-21, 24)

This church spoke, told and preached the Good News. People believed and turned to the Lord.

5.       Liberal in our giving. (11:22, 24, 27-30)

The Antioch church gave. They were unselfish, other-centered, and giving oriented even to a culturally and racially different congregation.

6.       Equipped in the Scriptures. (11:23, 26)

This church was taught. The picture here is one of classrooms, study, memorization, work. Before Antioch became a sending place it was a studying place. We have the picture of an equipping church and an equipped people. No wonder they changed the world.

          E.       Pastors, Elders, Deacons

The apostles told all Christians to watch over each other with loving care and prayer, but they also appointed in each congregation guardians, called “elders” (Ac.14:23), who would look after the people as shepherds look after sheep (Ac.20:28-31, leading them by example away from all that is harmful into all that is good.  The congregation, for its part, is to acknowledge the God-given authority of its leaders and follow the lead they give.

This pattern was already present in the Old Testament, where God is the shepherd of Israel (Ps. 80:1) and kings, prophets, priests, and elders (local rulers) are called to act as His agents in an under-shepherd role.  “Elder” denotes certain persons appointed to hold office in the Christian Church, and to exercise spiritual oversight over the flock entrusted to them. From the references in Acts (14:23; 20:17) it may be inferred that the churches generally had elders appointed over them.

The pastoral responsibilities of the apostles and their associates, like Timothy and Titus, were wider than congregational elders.  The pastoral role of elders demands mature and stable Christian character and a well-ordered personal life.  Elders should be apt to teach, meaning that they should have the ability to teach the Word and exhort if needed.  Not all elders are called to pastor, yet all pastors are elders; not all teachers are elders, yet truly all elders should be teachers.

While those responsibilities of congregational deacons were narrower, they had particular responsibility for the ministry of mercy and temporal service (Ac.6:2-6).  Deacons should be able for service and understand the temporal needs of the church and meeting those needs. Every church needs ministerial functionaries to fulfill the eldership role, and each should set in place a wise method of selecting and appointing them.

These men and women of God appointed to various positions in the Body of Christ must be of a good report and have adequate leadership capabilities.  In short, they need to be ordained, set apart (Ac.14:23), an act of recognition of their peers that they have exhibited the qualities needed and feel the witness of the Holy Spirit about their call.  There must be a witness of the Holy Spirit in this process, or the “setting apart” is only ritual and not spiritual.

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Ac.13:2)

Deacons are also appointed by them in authority, (Ac.6:1-6) and not elected by the local body.  These are men and women of “honest report” and are able to serve.  They are to be “full of the Holy Spirit whom we may appoint over this business”.  Precedent is set with in the Book of Acts and Paul follows in later letters giving full detail.  Deacons fill an important role in the ministry of the church, serving the needs of the poor, assisting in baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and performing other practical ministerial tasks. 

          F.       Elders/ Acts 14:23

Near the end of their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas went back through the cities where they had ministered and “appointed” elders in every church…..turning them over to the care of the Lord” (14:23). What does the New Testament teach about the office of the elder?

                    1.       Meaning of term

          The Greek term is presbyteros, meaning, literally, “an older person.”

          2.       Function or Role

To rule the church (Ti.1:7; 1Pe.5:2-3); to watch over/shepherd God’s flock (Ac.20:28; 1Pe.5:2; He.13:17); to teach the truths of God (2Ti.3:2; Ti.1:9) to the people of God.

          3.       Qualifications

To be one “whose life cannot be spoken against. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exhibit self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home and must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, loving, and not one who loves money. He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a new Christian, because he might be proud of being chosen so soon, and the Devil will use that pride to make him fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not fall into the devil’s trap and be disgraced” (1Ti.3:2-7; see similar list in Ti.1:6-9).

          4.       Number of Elders

A plurality of elders is described, if not prescribed, in the New Testament (Ac.14:23; Php.1:1; Ti.1:5). Nowhere is a certain number mandated, however.

          5.       Length of term

          The New Testament does not specify a precise term of eldership.

          6.       How elected?

Those meeting the qualifications seem to be appointed or chosen by those already functioning as elders (Ac.14:23; Ti.1:5). Ordination to the office involved a ceremony that included laying on of hands, prayer, and fasting (Ac.14:23).

          7.       The Proper Response

Obedience and submission (He.13:17); respect (1Co.16:16; 1Th.5:12)

          8.       Discipline of elders

Accusations or criticisms against an elder should only be received according to Scripture (1Ti.5:19-21). If the elder is guilty of an offense, he is to be counseled by fellow elders with a view toward restoration (Ga.6:1-2). If the sinning elder refuses to repent, he is to be removed from office and disciplined (Mt.18:15-17).

          G.      Fate of the Apostles- Acts 12:2

Study this chart to see that the “Church” was established by blood and much persecution.  Below is given the fate of the Apostles.  The chart below explains pertinent facts for the believer in being an effective witness in the Church.

Apostle                                          Fate

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