When is a church organized according to the N.T. Pattern? Elders…God’s Overseers Acts 20:28-32

The Bible Alone Christian “The seed is the Word of God” (Luke 8:11)

Heb. 8:1-13 V. 5 b as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Speak where God speaks, Remain silent where God is Silent Matt Burns. Tonight “How to establish Scriptural authority”. I Pet. 4:11 Col. 3:17 Matt. 28:18

Matt Taylor - March 16,2014 Difference in Individual and congregational responsibilities. I Tim. 5:16 Gal. 6:10

Al Burns on March 23, 2014 Our Responsibilities to Others. Heb. 13:17 Listening to what God says!

March 30, 2014 Jay Looney Deacons: Their work and qualifications. I Tim. 3:8-13

Qualifications of Elders March 16, 2014 I will be speaking On these qualifications next Sunday.

Jesus is the Head of His Church Matt. 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Compile all references to the subject including. 1.Direct Commands 2.Approved Examples 3.Necessary Inference

God Speaks About those who are to be workers in His Church!

Compile all references to the subject including 1.Direct Commands 2.Approved Examples 3.Necessary Inference Philip. 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: saints bishops deacons

Compile all references to the subject including 1.Direct Commands 2.Approved Examples 3.Necessary Inference Ephes. 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers

Each emphasizing a different aspect of the work and function pertaining to the office.Each emphasizing a different aspect of the work and function pertaining to the office. –Elder - [presbuteros] denotes age and seasoned wisdom that belong to its experiences. Acts 20:17; 1 Pet 5:1 –Bishop – [episkopos] – Denotes the overseeing function – Not legislative, but leading and enforcing within the Law of God – Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:2; (Heb 13:7,17) –Pastor, shepherd – [poimen] – Emphasizes the care, watching and feeding of the flock of God. – Act 20:28; Ep 4:11; 1 Pet 5:2 The terms elder, bishop & pastor

The scope of their authority 1 Peter 5:1-2 (NKJV) 1 The elders (presbuteros), who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd (poimen), the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, (episkopos),

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (cf. Acts 20:17) The terms elder, bishop & pastor The scope of their authority

Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Titus 1:5 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: Elders in Every church Acts 14:23 Elders in every city Titus 1:5

Titus 1:5 (NKJV) 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-- The terms elder, bishop & pastor Those who met the qualifications (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)

It is implied here that there were elders in each church; that is, that in each church there was more than one.... Titus 1:5, "I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldest ordain elders in every city." Acts 20:17, "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church." It could not mean, therefore, that they appointed a single minister or pastor to each church, but they committed the whole affairs of the church to a bench of elders. More than One Elder In each Church! Must have 2 or more in Each church! (Barnes New Testament Notes on Acts 14:23)

Work To Be Done Missionary Society Work To Be Done Sponsoring Church Elders

Scriptural pattern Phili 4:15-18 Direct – Does not relinquish oversight of work – Does not infringe upon the autonomy of the local church - Scriptural – It works - Oneal Church J. Henderson John Smith

Elders Weatherly Jordan Park Chapman Acres O’Neal

Apostasy often begins with changes in organization...Apostasy often begins with changes in organization... We want to be united upon the scriptural pattern.We want to be united upon the scriptural pattern. Elders Speaks through the apostles in the New Testament Jesus (The Head)