BIBLE VERSES TRADITION SERIES -PART 4 ELDERS AND CHURCH GOVERANCE

PART 4 ELDERS AND CHURCH GOVERANCE 
Further Study Through Acts

Acts 1:16, Acts 6:3, 5, and Acts 15:22

• The words elder, pastor, overseer, bishop all have the same meaning. 

• Churches in the New Testament had more than one elder or pastor. 

• Decisions for the church were decided by the apostles and elders. In some cases, congregational decisions were rendered but not without oversight from the elders.

• There is no such concept as congregational authority in the New Testament especially when that authority supersedes the authority of the elders.

• The early Catholic Church began to organize itself around elder authority calling them bishops, cardinals, and the pope. In my view this was an extreme stretch of the New Testament format. The Catholic model had little to no input from the congregation. One of the major emphases of the Protestant Reformation was the objection to absolute clergy rule with no input from the congregants. Thus, many Protestant churches almost reversed the direction of absolute clergy rule to some form of congregational rule. Baptist and the Congregational Church of England took to the extreme congregational rule, with Methodist, Presbyterians, and Lutherans taking a middle ground of authority between the congregants and the clergy. The Pentecostals, Apostolic, and Holiness took a stronger clerical governance of churches closely similar to the Catholics. Both extremes are totally alienated from the New Testament model. Indeed, the New Testament model does put the authority of church governance in the hands of the elders. But there were decisions involving the church body where the outcome would include the need of congregational input. 

A case could be made for the selection of Matthias to replace Judas in Acts 1:16, 23. It appears that the selection of Matthias involved the hundred and twenty (verse 15). 

• Their selection was guided by prayer. Acts 1:24, 25; Acts 13:2, 3. Notice what follows in Acts 13:4, “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit…” Their being sent forth was by God himself and not man. Thus, the church could not vote on a matter that God himself had sanctioned. This does not mean that the church does not sanction certain orders. It does and it can. But, in whatever decisions we are making within the church, prayer should be paramount in those decisions and never an innocent bystander to the process. In the New Testament, the congregation could participate in decisions of people selection. The congregation did not make financial or business decisions. 
• See also Acts 14:23. Paul and Barnabas appointed (ordained) elders in every church in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. These appointments were not made with any congregational approval. 
• The selection of church workers, See Acts 6:3. 
• The congregation had an opportunity to assist in the selection process. However, this is not a one case fits all. Careful examination of the text would reveal the reason why the congregation was allowed to participate. The process involved people selection to serve. 

• The church conference to decide what Old Testament restrictions should be applied to the New Testament church and what should not, See Acts 15:22.

• The apostles and elders meet and discussed the matter. The decision of what Old Testament restrictions would be either allowed or rejected in the church was in the hands of the apostles and elders alone. The church selected what men would accompany Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey to deliver the “letter of decision” to the various churches. 

Wrapping It All Up!

• Churches should be organized such that deacons serve in more ministerial roles where pastors occupy more administrative roles. The word deacon means one who serves. Deacons are the workers of the church. Deacons are the leading agents in the church to conduct ministry that benefits the church body and community.
• Churches will grow when men take the responsibility of being servant leaders.
• Churches should seek to have more than one pastor so that the authority of govern-ship is not in the hands of one.
• In order for this to come to fruition, each church leadership should consist of an elder board, comprised of ordained pastors/elders.
• Historically, this work has been in the hands of deacons. Much care, patience, and prayer are needed in moving forward. Remember, tradition is the enemy and not each other. What will you do or how will you react when you were given the truth, no matter how different or difficult it might be? How would you act on it?

When our Lord Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees concerning their tradition, this led to our Lord’s crucifixion. Likewise, when the apostles confronted the Sanhedrin council and the Jews in the synagogues, for the most part, the apostles were rejected, sometimes beaten, jailed, and for Stephen and James, executed. I think we ought to respond like the Jews in Berea in Acts 17:

• ¹⁰ And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. ¹¹ These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. ¹² Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
• I agree with the words of Gamaliel concerning what should be done to the apostles for preaching Christ and his resurrection. I only include Gamaliel’s conclusion here. Acts 5: ³⁸ And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: ³⁹ But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

·        The deacons should be organized under the umbrella of a deacons’ ministry and not a deacons’ board. The word boards denote authority. God desires humble workers, servants to do the work of ministry. 

o  Ministerial work of deacons should be based on the needs of the church body and community. Other members are encouraged to participate in ministry, joining the deacons in the service for the Lord.

o  Mothers (deacons’ wives) and deaconess are vital to this work of ministry and congregational care. The work should be shared and never contained in the hands of one group. Deacons become pivotal in this work, assisting in organization the work within the church.

• Going Forward from Here! Men and brethren, what shall we do?

o  Access the critical needs of the church body and community. Understand to meet these needs will require not only financial commitments but time and energy from the body.

• Be unified in whatever decisions we make. This was the case for the church in Acts. A common theme in that church was the phrase, “They had all things common.” No one tried to overstep their bounds. Each one knew their place. And they got along well. Why? (I think this is the greater why: They all anticipated Christ’s return at any time. Christ’s return in your heart and on your mind will keep us grounded and centered for our daily walk with each other. 1 Thess 5: ²³ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Make prayer the focus and not a bystander. Let us make sure that whatever we do, it pleases God and not ourselves.
• Acts 1: ²⁴ And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.

• Acts 13: ² 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. ³ And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
• Acts 15: ²⁸ For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

God charged us to work together. Let’s come together in love with the same mind. Pray! Pray! Pray! Seek God!

Walk together, children, don't you get weary,
Sing together, children, don't you get weary,
Pray together, children, don't you get weary,
Work together, children, don't you get weary,
there's a great camp meeting in the promised land.