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Know & Grow Podcast Notes – Episode 30

 

The Structure of Christ’s Church

 

The epistles give a structure of the church to provide order within the body of Christ and individual believers. Apart from this general structure the Bible leaves great freedom for churches to construct their ministry strategically and logistically in a way to fit the church’s needs and their society’s culture. The beauty of this biblical plan is that it helps the gospel to go forward into multiple countries and societies at different times in human history, adapted to the people’s needs and culture.

 

General structure of the church (Ephesians 2 18 -21, I Peter 2:4-8)

  • Christ the cornerstone – Jesus is the founding and fundamental building block of the church providing both access, through our salvation, and now heading the body of Christ as He sits at the right hand of God the Father (Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 1:17-18).
  • The apostles and prophets
    • The apostles – These were the foundation of the early church receiving their authority and teaching directly from Christ, the cornerstone, and gave their teaching directly to the second-generation Christians. The apostles’ authority (please see section under apostolic authority) was necessary for the early church to receive the information that God wished it to have in the Bible as well as to establish local congregations.
    • The prophets – Defining the role of the prophet in the New Testament is more difficult than for an apostle, which is mentioned clearly and found in the church throughout Acts and the epistles. Two potential groups of prophets could be in view based on the description in Ephesians 2.
      • Old Testament prophets – These were important because they predicted the coming Messiah and kingdom for which the church is a part (please see below).
      • New Testament prophets – The context of Ephesians 2:20 implies that a role of prophet existed at the beginning of the church. Here are some points to consider regarding their potential identity and role:
        • The Bible indicates prophecy ended in the times of John the Baptist and in the early church period (Matthew 11:13 and I Corinthians 13:8-13). Therefore, it is doubtful prophecy continued to exist in the second generation of Christians as the apostles’ role ended with the first generation so also did the role of the prophet.
        • Historically, important prophets in the bible are named.
        • The role of telling the future and forth telling God’s truth (both allowed by the Greek word for prophecy, προφητεία, prophēteia) for the New Testament times were important. These roles probably overlapped with Christ, and at least some of the apostles who had prophetic functions in both telling forth revelation from God and predicting the future. The role of prophet was obviously important in establishing the word of God in the church.
        • When the word of God was established in the New Testament we know now that Christ speaks through the Bible and no other source is needed (Hebrews 1:2). Please see section under apostolic authority.
  • Building blocks – These are built upon Christ and the apostles. Each of us as Christians are individual building blocks within the entire structure of the church, built throughout the ages (please see our role below).

 

The church and the kingdom 

This is a controversial topic and will be better detailed in a future describing the plan of God.

  • Spiritual aspects of the kingdom – In brief, the church represents the spiritual aspects of the Messianic kingdom promised in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Isaiah 59:20-21, 53:1-12) including the coming of Messiah to die for our sins, the knowledge of the word, and coming of the Holy Spirit and its benefits.
  • Physical aspects of the kingdom – In contrast, the physical kingdom with Christ at the head, offered in the gospels (Matthew 3:7; 4:16; 10:12) which was rejected by the Jews at Christ first coming, is not yet established. Christ’s physical kingdom, including also the spiritual aspects, will commence at His millennial kingdom (Revelation 19 and 20).

 

Leadership structure of the church 

The Bible provides for a leadership structure for the church which is quite flexible.

  • Elders – This description of an individual, or group of individuals, is presented in scripture as the one(s) who oversee an individual local church. It is as described by two Greek words presbuterion (Gr: πρεσβυτέριον) and ̓ episkopē (Gr: επισκοπή, also bishop) which are probably the same position (Titus 1:5-7) although this is controversial. As the early church grew functionally the episkopē (bishop) took on a regional ruling role over the presbuterion. Nonetheless, the two words may be used to teach two important functions of church leaders, the overseer function (episkopē) and the experience and wisdom function (presbuterion).
    • Relevant passages – Four major passages describe the function of the elders:
    • Underlying competencies – In general, the elder should be able to teach, be experienced in ministry, combined with personality skills that allow gracious communication. He should demonstrate an orderly and ethical business and family life.
    • Duties of an elder (1 Timothy 3:1-7) – The Bible indicates the elder(s) should lead the church (Titus 1:5; I Peter 5:1-4). Therefore, all functions of the church ultimately should fall back to the elders as their responsibility. The details of the job description are not enumerated extensively in scripture leaving freedom to develop the elder position as the church chooses, in faith. Some functions alluded to in scriptures are:
    • Ruling the body of Christ (Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 3:5; 1 Timothy 5:17).
    • Elder attitude – Elders should perform their tasks with humility, desiring to help those under their charge, being an example and not lording their position over the congregants (I Peter 5:1-4; I Timothy 3:1).
  • Deacons(diakonos, Gr: διάκονος) – This word simply means servant. It is described in the New Testament by the following:
    • Founding role – Deacon is first mentioned in Acts 6 as a group of 7 believers who assisted the apostles with administrative tasks in the first church.
    • Nonspecific mention (Philippians 1:1) – In the epistles deacons are mentioned in passing implying perhaps a leadership role of some individuals. No details or qualities are given in this verse.
    • Defined position in the church – I Timothy 3 teaches the qualities of a deacon related to a defined position. However, no specific job description is provided, and along with the meaning to the word, deacon as servant, scripture appears to leave the position free to be formed by the church as a needed. Further, it does not need to be limited to just one position but might be multiple as the church requires.
      • 1 Timothy 3:8-13 – These verses describe the qualities of a deacon, some of which overlap with those of elders, although teaching is not mentioned. In contrast, there is an emphasis on deacons being proven, first themselves and maybe also for their wives (verse 9). This may be because they were less known than the elders and not as experienced in ministry.
    • Woman deacons (V.11) – The Greek word here refers to a woman in general or a wife (gunē, γυνή) depending on context. It’s possible that women being mentioned between verses for deacon qualities allowed a potential defined position for women in the church. This intention of this verse is controversial and is often interpreted as the deacon’s wife. Godly women are vital for the proper running of the church and so having a position for them that is recognized with a job description is conceivable by the verse, although by 1 Timothy 2:12, they would not hold authority over a man or teach men in the worship service.

In summary – The epistles describe leadership offices that the church may use as the elders and the deacons. The elder(s) has the overall leadership role and may include a teaching elder (1 Timothy 5:17). The deacon has as a servant role, apparently under the elder, with job description(s) as needed by the church. Within the structure of these roles the churches appear free to develop, in faith, positions and staff needed to carry on their ministry.

 

Church government

Importantly, the Apostolic letters in the New Testament say little about the structure of the government of the church. This lack of specificity regarding formation of the government is a wonderful feature about Christianity in that it allows sufficient flexibility to create church policies that can minister to any culture at any time.

 

Biblical church structure

Christ is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18). He performs this duty as he sits at the right hand of God the father in heaven (Hebrews 8:1; Ephesians 2:21-23). Christians are members of the church, each performing different functions to create a complete functional body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). However, each individual Christian is still responsible to become holy as God is holy in their individual Christian walk. For example, practicing the five tools to maturity such as prayer, praise, outreach, and fellowship while adhering to the truth of God’s word (Acts 2:42,47).

The Bible specifies several leadership positions within the local church with the understanding that each local church is part of the universal body of Christ.

  • Elders/bishops – These leaders direct the church. The number of elders is flexible as well as their function. Two Greek words describe the elder in the Bible, presbyteros (Gr, πρεσβυτερος) signifying an older, mature and wise person, and episkopos (Gr, ἐπίσκοπος) as one who audits or acts as overseer. Guidelines for selecting elders are in Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-10. These qualities listed in Table

No other specific positions are described. However, the elder board can develop additional positions as needed to assist their church.

 

General denominational governmental structures

Church denominations have differing governmental structures. These structures in part define the denomination itself. Generally, there are three basic types of church governmental structures.

  • Hierarchical – This governmental structure includes a head of the denomination and then below them bishops, typically at different geographical locations. Under the bishops are usually the pastors of individual congregations. Examples of a hierarchical government are the Roman Catholics and Methodists.
  • Congregational – Although these denominations may have a head office, individual congregations ideally act as an independent body. Each church typically has just one elder who also is the head pastor. Serving under him is a board of deacons who help direct the church. Major decisions within the church are generally approved by vote from the congregation. Examples of congregational governments are the Congregationalists and Baptists.
  • Federal – This type of government is typically led by a board of elders of whom the pastor his one of its members. Generally, new elders are appointed by the board of elders although suggestions might be taken from the congregation. The church may or may not have deacons. Examples of a federal government are the Presbyterians and many independent Bible believing churches.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Disclaimer – This podcast is provided as information only and is intended for listeners 18 and older. No podcast content should be taken as advice or recommendation for any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the speaker and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by Teleios. The podcast is subject to change at any time without notice. Although the podcaster endeavors to ensure current and accurate content, it may contain errors and is not presented as current, accurate, complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. The podcaster does not accept any liability for the podcast, or any other information (or the use of such information) provided. The speaker does not hold a seminary degree but is self-trained in the scriptures. Specific questions should be directed to experts in the field of theology.

 

 

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