2. “Upon this rock, I will build My church” Matt. 16:18 Thus, this is the Lord’s church Thus, this is the Lord’s church Since Jesus is Divine – it is a Divine institution Since Jesus is Divine – it is a Divine institution

3. 1. Jesus is the Only Head It’s Standard and Discipline 2. OT is Not Her Law 3. NT is Her Only Guide 4. Application & Meaning

4. 1. Origin of the NT Church Origin and Establishment 2. Establishment of the NT Church

5. 1. The Saved Its Nature 2. The Church 3. The Body 4. The Kingdom 5. The House 6. The Temple 7. The Bride

6. Its Organization

7. How is it structured?How is it structured? How is it governed?How is it governed? Is there some universal organization?Is there some universal organization? Is there a headquarters?Is there a headquarters? How does a congregation get its direction?How does a congregation get its direction?

8. 1. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses Its Organization

9. 1. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses Universal All the saved over the world Matt. 16:18 Eph. 1:22-23 Local The saved in a certain locale 1 Cor. 1:2 Rev. 2-3

10. How We Harmonize One Church (Eph. 4:4) Churches (Rom. 16:16) 1. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses

11. Local Churches Rom. 16:16 Local Churches Rom. 16:16 Antioch (Acts 13:1) Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2) Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1) Philippi (Phil. 1:1) Ephesus (Rev. 2:1) Smyrna (Rev. 2:8) Pergamos (Rev. 2:12) Thyatira (Rev. 2:18) Sardis (Rev. 3:1) Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7) Laodicea (Rev. 3:14) Thessalonica (1 Thess. 1:1) Crete (Titus 1:5) Iconium (Acts 14:23) Derbe (Acts 14:23) Lystra (Acts 14:23) 1. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses

12. Its Organization 2. Universally – No Organization

13. A.No earthly organization 1.No role for man to fill 2.No position for man to hold 3.No central organization – headquarters 4.Consist of Church & Christ as head ( Eph. 5:23 ) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church.

14. 2. Universally – No Organization A.No earthly organization B.No work to be done C.No treasury from which to function

15. 1. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses Its Organization 2. Universally – No Organization 3. Local Church Organization

16. Universal Only one (Eph. 4:4) No organization No work as a whole No Treasury Distinctions Local Many (Rom. 16:16) Elders, Deacons (Phil. 1:1) Work (Eph. 4:16) Treasury (1 Cor. 16:1-2) 3. Local Church Organization

17. A.The Organization: 1.Elders, deacons & saints ( Phil. 1:1 ) 2.No board 3. Local Church Organization To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

18. A.The Organization: B.Elders 1.What they are called 3. Local Church Organization

19. TermsThatReferToTheElders  Presbuterion Means: 1. Eldership; elderhood 2. One older 3. Suggests maturity in judgment/ experience / wisdom Translated 1. Elder (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 5:1) 2. Presbyter (1 Tim. 4:14) 3. Local Church Organization

20. TermsThatReferToTheElders  Presbuterion  Episcopos Means 1.Overseer 2. One charged with duty of seeing that things are done by others (Thayer) Translated 1. Overseer (Acts 20:28) 2. Bishop (1 Tim. 3:1) 3. Local Church Organization

21. TermsThatReferToTheElders  Presbuterion  Episcopos  Poiman Means 1. One who keeps, guards sheep. 2. To feed flock. 3. Work of shepherd: feed, guard, guide & protect Translated 1. Shepherd - feed (Acts 20:28) 2. Pastor (Eph. 4:11) 3. Local Church Organization

22. TermsThatReferToTheElders Elder / Presbyter Maturity Overseer / Bishop Administrative Role Shepherd / Pastor Teaching Role 3. Local Church Organization

23. TermsThatReferToTheElders All 3 Terms In Acts 20 Elders (v. 17) Elders (v. 17) Overseers (v. 28) Overseers (v. 28) Shepherds (v. 28) Shepherds (v. 28) 3. Local Church Organization 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd (feed) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

24. A.The Organization: B.Elders 1.What they are called 2.Elders in every church ( Acts 14:23 ) 3.To be a plurality ( Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1 ) 4.Work they do Oversee ( Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-2 ) Watch for souls ( Heb. 13:17 ) Feed the flock ( Acts 20:28 ) 3. Local Church Organization So when they had appointed elders in every church… the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls. The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder …Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers

25. A.The Organization: B.Elders 1.What they are called 2.Elders in every church ( Acts 14:23 ) 3.To be a plurality ( Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1 ) 4.Work they do 5.Qualifications ( 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-7 ) 3. Local Church Organization

26. 1. A Man (1 Tim. 3:1; Tit. 1:6) 2. Desires the office (1 Tim. 3:1) 3. Blameless (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6) 4. Husband - one wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6) 5. Faithful children (1 Tim. 3:4; Tit. 1:6) 6. Vigilant (1 Tim. 3:2) 7. Temperate (Tit. 1:8) 8. Sober (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8) 9. Of Good Behavior (1 Tim. 3:2) 10. Given To Hospitality (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8) 11. Apt to Teach (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:9) 12. Of Good Report (1 Tim. 3:7) 13. Not Given to Wine (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7) 14. Not a Striker (1 Tim. 3:3;Tit. 1:7) Qualifications of Elders 3. Local Church Organization

27. 15. Not Greedy (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7) 16. Patient (1 Tim. 3:3) 17. Not a Brawler (1 Tim. 3:3) 18. Not Covetous (1 Tim. 3:3) 19. Not a Novice (1 Tim. 3:6) 20. Not Self-Willed (Tit. 1:7) 21. Not Soon Angry (Tit. 1:7) 22. Lover of Good Men (Tit. 1:8) 23. Just (Tit. 1:8) 24. Holy (Tit. 1:8) Qualifications of Elders 3. Local Church Organization

28. A.The Organization: B.Elders C.Deacons 1.Word “deacon” = servant or minister 2.Serve under the oversight of elders 3. Local Church Organization

29. No Authority Except - Delegated EldersAuthority“oversee” (Acts 20:28) “Rule” (Heb. 13:17) EldersAuthority“oversee” (Acts 20:28) “Rule” (Heb. 13:17) Deacon Under Elders very term suggests“submission”Deacon Under Elders very term suggests“submission” 3. Local Church Organization

30. A.The Organization: B.Elders C.Deacons 1.Word “deacon” means servant or minister 2.Serve under the oversight of elders 3.Example of how deacons work ( Acts 6:1-6 ) 3. Local Church Organization

31. 1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution (diakonia). 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve (diakoneo) tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; Acts 6 3. Local Church Organization

32. A.The Organization: B.Elders C.Deacons 1.Word “deacon” means servant or minister 2.Serve under the oversight of elders 3.Example of how deacons work ( Acts 6:1-6 ) 4.Qualifications ( 1 Tim. 3:8-13 ) 3. Local Church Organization

33. Reverent Not Given much Wine Hold Mystery Blameless Rule Children & Houses Well Wife - Faithful Not Double Tongued Not Greedy Tested Husband Qualifications of a Deacon 3. Local Church Organization

34. A.The Organization: B.Elders C.Deacons D.Each Local Church is Autonomous 3. Local Church Organization

35. Local Church Local Church Local Church No Authority Local Church Autonomy Limitation of Elders’ Authority Elders Local Church Oversight Limited To This 1 Pet. 5:1-2 3. Local Church Organization The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder… Shepherd the flock of God which is among you.

36. 1. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses Its Organization 2. Universally – No Organization 3. Local Church Organization

37. Salvation Hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe In Jesus (Jn. 8:24) REPENT of your sins (Lk. 13:3) Confess your faith(Matt. 10:32-33) Baptized Into Christ (Acts 2:38) Faithful until death (Rev. 2:10) REMISSION OF SINS