1. Principles of Church Government (3) Ecclesiology

2. Summary of previous points Practical polity: The underlying question Definition: A church “is an assemIs the NT offering a prescription or a guideline for church government in its pages? Church Government (concepts) bly of professing believers in Christ who have been baptized [Trinitarian] and who are organized to carry out God’s will.”

3. First two types Minimal Church Government Examples: Plymouth Brethren, smaller “house” churches National Government Official State sponsorship and control

4. Types: Hierarchical Government

5. The clergy is the ruling class in this type of government The clergy are organized into a system of ranks Examples: Methodists, Anglicans, Roman Catholics Varying ‘intensity’ of authority Methodists: less absolute Anglicans: more pronounced (with state involvement) Catholics: hierarchical authority absolute

6. Types: Hierarchical Government Alleged support The primacy of the apostles [especially, allegedly, Peter] The theory of apostolic succession

7. Scriptural considerations The apostles are the foundation of the church (Eph 2.20) Peter was prominent among the apostles, but not primary (Gal 2.11) The terms “elder”, “bishop” and “pastor” are equivalent in the NT (Ac 20.17, 28) A secondary office, deacon, is clearly taught in Scripture (1 Tim 3.8) The ‘ascendancy of bishops’ developed fairly early (2 nd century) but is nowhere taught in the NT Types: Hierarchical Government

8. Congregational Government Authority: ultimate authority for government rests in the members themselves Autonomy: each congregation governs itself independently of other congregations Responsibility: daily administration is conducted by duly authorized leadership who participate in congregational decisions equally with all members Fellowship: congregational autonomy does NOT preclude fellowship with like-minded churches

9. Biblical support Local autonomy: [sense of NT, no specific references given] Apostles exercised authority over multiple local churches in NT Local church officials never exercised authority over any other local church in NT Apostles have ceased; Local churches are therefore left autonomous Discipline (Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:4–5; 2 Cor. 2:6–7; 2 Thess. 3:14–15) Whole church empowered to discipline Discipline not under the authority of leadership alone This supports the concept of congregational church government

10. Leadership The whole church involved in selecting leadership (Acts 1:23, 26; 6:3, 5; 15:22, 30; 2 Cor. 8:19) Some counter with passages such as Acts 14.23 and Titus 1.5 to argue for appointed church leadership (by outside authorities) Both cases involve direct apostolic authority [Titus operates as agent of the apostle] Apostles have ceased; Local churches are therefore left as the sole authorizing authority Ordinances committed to the whole church, not to leaders or a hierarchy (Mt 28.19-20; 1 Cor 11.2, 20) Government: the priesthood of believers argues for a democratic, congregational government (1 Pt 2.5, 9) Biblical support

11. Appraisal Authority: “That ultimate authority rests in the local church under Christ’s headship does seem to be clearly taught in the New Testament. This does not preclude fellowship with other congregations, but it does not allow for organizational structure above the local church.” Choosing leaders: In the NT, it is clear that the whole local church is involved in many of the affairs with which it is concerned There are examples of leaders being appointed by apostles, but see above – there are no more apostles The first choice of non-apostolic helpers in Acts 6 shows a “gracious harmony” between the apostles and congregation We are not told what would happen if the congregation had approved names the apostles disapproved Presumably, the apostles could veto congregational decisions But again, see above concerning the cessation of apostles

12. Appraisal Restrictions All believers are priests; all believers do not share the same office In consequence, some functions are reserved to certain offices and not granted to all members Democratic governments function in the same way. In Canada, each citizen has an equal vote. But individual citizens hold specific offices with specific powers and privileges not available to every citizen. Practical problems of congregationalism The impression that congregationalism means that the congregation makes all decisions. The corruption of the leadership structures Leaders take authority not specifically delegated to them (by congregation or Scripture) Deacons function as elders, contrary to the New Testament pattern

13. Final Notes Note: We will be discussing the role and qualifications of leadership offices in the next section Also note: Our objective in ordering our church government is not to prevent abuses — abuses happen in all forms of church government — but our objective is to follow the biblical pattern as closely as possible.