Condensed Theology, Lecture 44, Ecclesiology 05, Authority and Autonomy

8/6/2019 Condensed Theology, Lecture 44, Ecclesiology 05, Authority and Autonomy

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Condensed Theology

A Primer in Systematic Theology


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Ecclesiology:The Doctrine of the Church

What does the Bible teach aboutthe church?


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The Churchs Authority


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Jesus Christ

Apostles

Elders


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The Authority of Jesus


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The Churchs Authority Jesus Christs authority is absolute and supreme and

extends to every local church. Col 1:18: He [Jesus] is also head of the body, the

church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from thedead, so that He Himself will come to have first place ineverything.

Eph 1:22-23: And He put all things in subjection underHis feet, and gave Him as head over all things to thechurch, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills allin all.

Eph 4:15: but speaking the truth in love, we are togrow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, evenChrist.


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The Authority of theApostles


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Apostolic authority is different from Jesus

authority in that theirs was a stewardshipentrusted to them by the Lord;

That is, their authority was a derivative notan inherent authority.

In other words, their authority was

exercised as a sacred trust given to themby their supreme authority, Jesus Christ.


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The Churchs Authority Apostolic authority is different from Jesus authority in

that theirs was a stewardship entrusted to them by theLord.

Gal 1:1: Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor throughthe agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and Godthe Father, who raised Him from the dead).

Eph 4:11: And He gave some as apostles, and some asprophets, and some as evangelists, and some aspastors and teachers

Col 1:25: Of this church I was made a minister

according to the stewardship from God bestowed on mefor your benefit, so that I might fully carry out thepreaching of the word of God.


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The Churchs Authority Apostolic authority is the same as Jesus

authority in that it extends to every local church. While they were alive.

After they are dead (through their teaching as

preserved in the Scriptures) It is important to note in this connection that the authority

even of their teaching is not that it was apostolic per se, butthat by definition apostolic teaching is teaching given to theapostles byand ultimately aboutJesus Christ (cf. Gal 1:11-12; Eph 3:6; Rev 1:1).


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authority in that it extends to every local church. While they were alive. Acts 2:42: They were continually devoting themselves to the

apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of breadand to prayer.

Acts 14:23: When they [the apostles] had appointed eldersfor them in every church, having prayed with fasting, theycommended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

1 Tim 4:11 Prescribe and teach these things. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)

The letters of the New Testament demonstrate the authorityof the apostles over the local churches not only throughexplicit apostolic assertions of authority, but also through theobedience they expected to attend their teaching.


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authority in that it extends to every local church. After they are dead.

Once the apostles died, though their office was neverreoccupied, their authority persists through their teaching.

Eph 2:19-20: So then you are no longer strangers andaliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are ofGod's household, having been built on the foundation of theapostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.

2 Thess 2:15: So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to thetraditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouthor by letter from us.


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authority in that it extends to every local church. After they are dead. Once the apostles died, though their office was never

reoccupied, their authority persists through their teaching. 2 Thess 3:6: Now we command you, brethren, in the name

of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from everybrother who leads an unruly life and not according to thetradition which you received from us.

2 Tim 1:14: Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us,the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

Jude 3: Beloved, while I was making every effort to write youabout our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write toyou appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith whichwas once for all handed down to the saints.


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The Authority of the Elders


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The Churchs Authority The elders authority is the same as the

apostles authority in that theirs was astewardship entrusted to them both by theapostles (and their associates; e.g. Timothy andTitus) and indirectly by the church. Acts 14:23: When they [Paul and Barnabas] had

appointed elders for them in every church, havingprayed with fasting, they commended them to theLord in whom they had believed.

Titus 1:5: For this reason I left you in Crete, that youwould set in order what remains and appoint elders inevery city as I directed you.


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The Churchs Authority The elders authority is the same as the

apostles authority in that theirs was astewardship entrusted to them both by theapostles (and their associates; e.g. Timothy and

Titus) and indirectly by the church. Acts 6:3, 6: Therefore, brethren, select from among

you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spiritand of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this

task.6And these they brought before the apostles;and after praying, they laid their hands on them.


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The Churchs Authority The elders authority is the same as the apostles

authority in that theirs was a stewardship entrusted to

them both by the apostles (and their associates; e.g.Timothy and Titus) and indirectly by the church. Acts 15:22: Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders,

with the whole church, to choose men from among them to sendto Antioch with Paul and BarnabasJudas called Barsabbas,

and Silas, leading men among the brethren. Col 4:17 w/ 1:2; 4:18

Col 4:17: Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which youhave received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.

Col 1:2: To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at

Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. Col 4:18: I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember

my imprisonment. Grace be with you.


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The Churchs Authority The elders authority is different from the apostles in that

it does not extend beyond one local church. Elders are never given authority over more than one church.

Acts 14:23: When they had appointed elders for them in everychurch, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to theLord in whom they had believed.

In other words, simply because I am an elder of Redeemer BibleChurch does not mean, for example, that I have authority over thebrethren at Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Apostles, on the other hand, if they were still alive would haveauthority over both the elders of Redeemer and the elders of

Bethlehem. By virtue of the foundational character of the apostolic witness,

apostles still command authority over the elders of the localchurches.


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The Churchs Authority Since there are no longer apostles alive to rule

the church, the human side of the rule of anygiven congregation resides solely in theeldership. 1 Tim 5:17: The elders who rule well are to be

considered worthy of double honor, especially thosewho work hard at preaching and teaching.

This appears to have at least two majorconsequences:

Associations of churches or denominations thatexercise rule over local assemblies have no biblicalwarrant.

Elders appear to have no human accountability.


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Associations and Denominations


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The Churchs Authority:


Three Types of Organizing Authority in the

Church Episcopalianism

Presbyterianism

Congregationalism


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Episcopalianism


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Episcopalianism

Churches: Roman Catholic, Anglican,Episcopal, Greek Orthodox, RussianOrthodox, United Methodist


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Episcopalianism

Archbishop

Bishop Bishop

Diocese Diocese

Rector Rector Rector Rector

Congregation Congregation Congregation Congregation


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Presbyterianism

Churches: Presbyterian, Reformed.


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Presbyterianism


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Presbyterianism

General Assembly

Presbytery Presbytery

Session SessionSession Session

Congregation Congregation Congregation Congregation


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Congregationalism


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Associations and Denominations Congregationalism

Churches: Baptist, Non-Denominational,Congregational

When we say that a church is congregational,

we do not mean that it is necessarily governedas a democracy (Presbyterian churches electtheir sessions);

Rather, we mean that the church is subject to no

authority outside of itself, outside of thecongregation.


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Congregationalism, therefore, generally

runs the risk of isolating the local churchand potentially creating a system of abuse,as there is no human and external

authority and control for it.

No appeal can be made higher than the

church itself.


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Congregationalism

It is nearly impossible graphically torepresent congregational governmentsince each congregation governs as itpleases.

The following slides present a few

common types:


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Single Pastor DemocraticCongregationalism


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Associations and Denominations Single Pastor Democratic Congregationalism

Pastor

Deacons

Congregation


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Associations and Denominations Single Pastor Democratic Congregationalism

tends to have three common dangers: Top-heavy leadership: A charismatic pastor functions

almost as an Emperor.

Thick-around-the-middle leadership: A dominantdeacon board leads behind the scenes and holdsboth the pastor and the congregation captive to itsevery whim.

Bottom-heavy leadership: A less charismatic pastorand deacon board are at the mercy of an arbitrary,fickle, and immature membership.


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Elder LedCongregationalism


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Associations and Denominations Elder Led Congregationalism

Plurality of Elders

Deacons

Congregation


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Associations and Denominations In Elder Led Congregationalism, a

congregation embraces the idea of asession or plurality of elders leading, orruling the congregation.

This is the form of governance atRedeemer Bible Church.

This type of rule has pitfalls depending

upon how the elders are selected.


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Associations and Denominations If elders are selected democratically, there is a risk of a bottom-

heavy ministry.

The election of elders in the sense of a majority vote, however, is not atall biblical. Acts 6:3: Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of

good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put incharge of this task.6And these they brought before the apostles; andafter praying, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 14:23: When they had appointed elders for them in every church,having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whomthey had believed.

Titus 1:5: For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in orderwhat remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.

While the church has a major responsibility in qualifying men for office, it

appears that following the examples of Timothy and Titus (see esp. 2Tim 2:2), the leaders of the church make the final human determinationas to a mans gift and calling for pastoral office.


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Associations and Denominations If elders are selected by fellow elders, there is a

risk of a top-heavy ministry. The question that always arises with respect to elders

appointing elders has to do with abuse of power, akind of country club oligarchy dominated by good ol

boys padding the leadership with their friends to thedetriment of the sheep and for the sake of personalgain.

If elders keep usaccountable, who keeps themaccountable?


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Human Accountability for theElders


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Human Accountability The church has a responsibility to hold its leadership

accountable to the apostolic mandates. Col 4:17 w/ 1:2; 4:18

Col 4:17: Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which youhave received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.

Col 1:2: To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are atColossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Col 4:18: I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remembermy imprisonment. Grace be with you.

1 Tim 5:19-20: Do not receive an accusation against an elderexcept on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who

continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest alsowill be fearful of sinning.


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Human Accountability The church has a responsibility to hold its leadership

accountable to the apostolic mandates. Matt 18:15-17: "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in

private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if hedoes not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BYTHE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACTMAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it tothe church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let himbe to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

2 Cor 11:19-20: For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolishgladly. For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone

devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exaltshimself, anyone hits you in the face.


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Human Accountability Voting does not protect you; having biblically

qualifiedleaders does (see 1 Timothy 3 & Titus1).

When you have biblically qualified leaders, then

in addition to your accountability, the leaders willeffectively keep one anotheraccountable (afterall, a plurality of elders exercises rule cf. Acts14:23; 20:17; 20:28; 1 Tim 4:14; Titus 1:5; Heb13:17; Jas 5:14 w/ 1:1; 1 Pet 5:1-3).


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Conclusion

A i i d D i i


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Associations and Denominations:

Conclusion Of course, when all is said and done the most

significant question we can ask is this: Whichform (if any) is biblical?

To answer that, we can say first that the Episcopalianform of governance is not. In fact, Episcopalians willbe the first to admit that their adoption of the form wasa matter of historical expediency and made goodsense.

Moreover, since the Episcopalian form is notforbidden by Scripture, it is permissible for Christiansto adopt it.

A i ti d D i ti


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Conclusion Of course, when all is said and done the most

significant question we can ask is this: Which

form (if any) is biblical? Second, since there are no biblical examples of a

structure outside the local assembly apart from theapostles exercising rule over remote congregations,

neither should we pursue one. Even Louis Berkhof admits that the Bible is silent on

the matter: Scripture does not contain an explicitcommand to the effect that the local churches of a

district must form an organic union. In fact, itrepresents the local churches as individual entitieswithout any external bond of union (SystematicTheology 590).

A i ti d D i ti


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Conclusion Of course, when all is said and done the

most significant question we can ask isthis: Which form (if any) is biblical?

If only apostles were given rule over local

elderships, then any association ordenomination that exercises rule over localelderships is functionally assuming

prerogatives that were given by God only toapostles.

A i ti d D i ti


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Conclusion Therefore it is fairly clear that the

Congregational (Independent) form is thebiblical form of church governance.

In addition, based on what weve learned

the rule of the eldership, we can specifythat Elder Led Congregationalism is thebiblical church polity.

Condensed Theology, Lecture 44, Ecclesiology 05, Authority and Autonomy

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