Lesson Aim: To show the effect on the church with leaders who are successful parents and mature at teaching and living God’s word, plus a plea for the restoration of church government.
Introduction
So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19)
Before Jesus returned to heaven, He informed His disciples how He would order His kingdom on planet earth. He said:
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said, that He takes of Mine, and will disclose it to you. (John 16:13-15)
One message the Holy Spirit relayed from Jesus to the apostles was to ordain elders in every church (Acts 14:23). Paul said to the elders at Ephesus, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).
Our king’s plan is for a plurality of older godly men to oversee His subjects in autonomous congregations of His church all over the world (Titus 1:5; Phil. 1:1). We may wonder why Jesus trusted a leadership role of this magnitude to men; “Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds” (Matt. 11:19). In other words, the church must use Jesus’ form of government before we will appreciate His wisdom. He was not unaware of the perils of having men oversee His church. For speaking to the elders, Paul warned that “savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29). He went on to say that – even from among the elders – men would arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.
The doctrine of church government has been perverted by “glory seeking” men for the past 2000 years. They have claimed offices in between Jesus and His overseers where there are none authorized by Jesus. All of their titles and offices were created by men and for men’s glory. Jesus strictly forbade men to be called father in a spiritual sense (Matt. 23:9). The word “reverend” is used only once in the Bible, and it refers to God, alone (Psa. 111:9). The elevation of men to unauthorized positions started under the shadow of the cross. The Corinthian church was in danger of dividing four ways because of their desire to elevate the people who taught them (I Cor. 1:12, 13).
The religious world, today, also seeks to change Biblical roles for men and women. With gender confusion, more religious confusion will result. This will not end until we put away the traditions of men and teach the doctrines of God about church government.
Those referred to as the “Christian religious world” have, for the most part, rejected Jesus’ form of church government. Possible reasons for this are ignorance of the word, the boastful pride of life, and a lack of qualified men to serve in a leadership capacity. The latter is the reason offered by many churches of Christ for deficiencies in church government today.
In this lesson, we will neither deal with all of the Biblical details of church government nor attempt to address all of the religious errors. However, we will attempt to show how Jesus’ form of church government enhances the spiritual environment of His subjects because it is compatible with God’s plan for mankind. We want to reveal the blessings of the New Testament form of government with leaders who have proven themselves to be successful parents. We will study their descriptive titles and qualifications to better understand the power in Jesus’ pattern for church government. Finally, we will consider how we can have restoration of church government in churches who desire to be the church of God and function as the body of Christ (Rom. 16:16; I Cor. 1:2; 3:23; 12:12, 13).
Lesson
The word “government”, as it is used in the title of this lesson, is found in I Cor. 12:28. In this scripture the Greek word, kubernesis, has been translated “governments” in the King James Version and “administrations” in the New American Standard. According to W. E. Vine, kubernesis means a steering, piloting, or guiding, thus governments or governing. Jesus did not trust the governing of His church to the natural abilities of men in its infancy. He wanted everything to start out right. Thus, the Apostles were chosen to administrate or govern the churches initially. Starting with the events in Acts 2, the Apostles used the delegated authority of Christ to establish His church (John chpts. 14, 15, 16).
At the close of the book of Acts, the apostles were still evangelizing and helping care for the churches, but the Holy Spirit had already bestowed power upon certain men to govern the local churches. Elders were appointed in every church under the “spiritual gift” dispensation (I Cor. 12:28-31). These spiritual gifts were temporary and miraculous. Thus, in the book of Acts, we see a movement from apostle administrated churches to “apostle-elders” administrated to finally eldership administrated. (Acts 6:2; 11:30; 15:1-6, 22, 23).
The apostles did not function under the oversight of the elders. They had the responsibility of declaring the elders’ qualifications, ordaining elders, and warning them of impending dangers after the lives of the apostles (I Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9; Acts 20:17-32). However, Jesus neither wanted an apostle governed church nor a government with elders dependent upon temporary, miraculous spiritual gifts. Paul suggested a time would come when the elders would be left with only the Bible for their instructions (I Cor. 13:8). They would use the word of God for directions in their oversight of the respective flocks of which they were members. Paul made the following statement to the elders at Ephesus:
And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)
A study of the words used to identify those whom Jesus uses to govern the man-dimension of His kingdom will help us understand the value of Biblical church government. These various Greek words are synonyms; they refer to the same role. The Greek word presbuteros has been translated elder in Acts 14:23 and other scriptures. It literally means an aged person. However, merely growing old does not qualify men for this position of leadership in the church. They must be ordained to the presbytery by the members. An elder of the church, himself, Peter drew attention to this aspect when he said, “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders.” I Pet. 5:1, 5.
The Greek word episkopos is translated bishop or overseer in Phil. 1:1 and Acts 20:28. It is used interchangeably with elder in Titus 1:5, 7. It means to superintend. The overseers were told to feed (KJV) or shepherd (NAS) the church of God in Acts 20:28. These verbs were translated from the Greek word poimaino. It means to do the work of a shepherd. The Greek word poimen, which basically means to feed, is translated pastor in Eph. 4:11. Since evangelists are also mentioned in this passage, we see that “pastors” refer to “elders” and not to “preachers”. Preachers and pastors are not the same role in the Bible. Jesus is the archpoimen or chief shepherd (I Pet. 5:4). An understanding of these terms helps us appreciate Jesus’ great wisdom in His church government. He desires that His church be watched-over, piloted, and fed by older men with “good shepherd” hearts. Today, the apostles and miraculous spiritual gifts have ceased. Evidently, Jesus believes we have a form of government more appropriate for His goals today. It was He who ordained it.
The aforementioned terms were familiar to the early Jewish Christians. They were commonly used in the Old Testament. Moses called for the elders of the people (Ex. 19:7). Nehemiah said Uzzi was an overseer of the Levites (Neh. 11:22). Jeremiah said, “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” Jer. 23:1. Jesus presented Himself as the shepherd of God’s sheep, and He suggested that a good shepherd does more than feed his sheep. He will also die for them if necessary (John 10:10-16).
A study of the qualifications of an elder from I Tim. 3:1-7 and Tit. 1:5-9 will also enhance our appreciation of the value of the presbytery on the spiritual environment “in Christ.” The following are the English terms translated from Greek, with their root meaning, which Paul used to instruct Timothy about the qualifications of elders.
- office of a bishop, (episkope) oversight, superintendent.
- blameless, (anepileptos) not laid hold on, not open to censor.
- vigilant, temperate, (nephalios) sober, not under the control of intoxicants.
- prudent, sober, temperate (sophron) denotes a sound mind, self controlled.
- respectable, orderly, (kosmios) decent.
- hospitality, (philohenos) lover of strangers.
- apt to teach, (didaktikos) skilled in teachings to the point “that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.” Tit. 1:9.
- not given to wine, (paroinos) one alongside wine, not a drunkard.
- no striker, pugnacious, (plektes).
- not greedy of filthy lucre, no lover of money, (aischrokerdes, not in some manuscripts), greedy of base gain.
- patient, yielding, lenient, (epieikes) equitable, fair, moderate, forbearing.
- not a brawler, not contentious, (amachoso) not striving, not fighting.
- not covetous, no lover of money, not avaricious, (aphilarguros).
- ruleth, to set or place over or before, (proistemi).
Jesus desires shepherds of His flock be decent, sober, self-controlled, hospitable men who are not economically motivated. Added to the foregoing characterizations are these other Biblical traits: a desire to serve the flock as an elder, the husband of one wife, longevity in the church, and a good reputation in the community. Perhaps, the most outstanding qualification is that these men must be proven successful parents. Paul said, “but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God” (I Tim. 3:5). Jesus knew that He must develop children of God in a family environment because faithful Christians will be an eternal part of God’s family (Gal. 4:7).
Mankind is created for family. God arranged for people to come into this world in a physical family (Gen.5:1-3). However, if the heads of the family fail to socialize their offspring as sons of God, then something other than the physical family is needed to ensure that God’s goal can be attained for each human being. The time of Noah is an example when the fathers of the families failed in God’s overall plan for mankind. However at that time, no other organization was in operation (Gen. 6:1-8). Today, we have the church.
When we contemplate why God created us and how we are to inherit His eternal kingdom as children, Jesus’ requirement for leaders who have successful family qualifications does not surprise us. Jesus will return for the children of God on earth one day. He is expecting that Christians will be ready to blend into God’s kingdom with the rest of God’s eternal children (II Thess. 1:10-12). Consequently, the present program is that we learn the role of a faithful child. This is why elders must be successful parents before they are allowed to begin to steer or pilot the church in its sanctification. Surely, no one is more qualified to steer us in God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10). Christians are undergoing changes. The following scripture describes our present situation:
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (Eph. 2:19-22)
God’s household of Christians is being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone. Christians are “being fitted together” and we are “being built together.” The use of the passive participle suggests the “fitting in” is being done by an external power in addition to the Christian’s own efforts. The result is we are growing together with the other family members into the holy temple of God. We are being sanctified into God’s household. A new dimension is being added to God’s kingdom as He adds the fruit of Jesus’ work to his eternal kingdom. Please consider I Peter 2:4-10.
Today, Christian parents are admonished to bring up our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord without provoking them to anger (Eph. 6:4). However, in His wisdom as our king, Jesus has ordained successful parents to oversee us in the form of an eldership while we discipline and instruct our children. The value of this type of church government is obvious. Young parents have never been parents before. They were not given an opportunity to practice before they tried-out the real thing. However, when the church functions as it is designed by our Lord, parents have successful parents as our shepherds to guide us on this great adventure. They are the elders of the church.
Elders have looked into the word of God, and they have proven it is a good and acceptable and perfect way to rear their children (Rom. 12:1, 2). They have control over their families with all dignity (I Tim. 3:4). They have proven to the ones who are behind them on the “trail of life” that they know how to use God’s word to interpret reality. The need to properly interpret reality for each generation is the reason Jesus is willing to delegate power to men to rule His church. All members of the church have access to God’s word. However, all do not have the maturity and Bible knowledge to properly interpret reality by the word of God. Elders do, so they can shepherd the rest of us.
Of course, properly rearing our children is not the only attribute necessary for our development. In fact like the Apostle Paul, we may choose not to get married (I Cor. 7:26). Whether we marry or not, we still must be “fitted together” and “built up” together with the other members of Christ’s body. Paul said, “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Rom. 12:5). Although our physical families play a key role in our development as healthy human beings, unless they are Christians too, they are for this world only. Jesus said, “He who loves father and mother more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:37). We must be fitted together with other Christians as brothers and sisters in Christ (II Cor. 6:18). We must learn to think of the local church as our eternal family. Thanks to Jesus, this can include our physical family as well. Peter admonishes Christians to love our brethren fervently because we have been born of an imperishable seed (I Pet. 1:22, 23). Paul asks that we “greet all the brethren with a holy kiss” (I Thess. 5:26).
Jesus is concerned about the image of His church before the world. This is why His overseers have a good reputation in their community. They have been faithful members of the church long enough to understand their office is for dedicated service. It is not for their own personal glory. The world will be benefited because of the families of these church leaders. The devil will not be able to thwart the evangelism work of the church because of inefficient government if we trust Jesus’ pattern.
Perhaps the three epistles of the elderly Apostle John depicts the kind of shepherding we can expect from men whom Jesus ordained as leaders over His people on earth. John teaches of love, confidence, and truth in a gentle persuasive way. Yet he warns, “Any one who goes too far and does not abide in the teachings of Christ, does not have God” (II John 9). His letters appear to be from a man who had not only learned God’s word but who knew how to live it. This is the mark of elders. They are men who have experienced some degree of spiritual success because they interpret reality by God’s word. Jesus has given the government of His church to this quality of men. How shall we describe their value to our spiritual environment? Perhaps, a study of the value of a shepherd to the spiritual environment of his sheep will help. Please reflect on the Twenty Third Psalm. In a word Christians feel “protected” with Jesus’ type of church government.
In today’s religious world, we do not often find the type of church government that we read about in the Bible. Let us now explore some of the possible reasons for this departure and suggest some solutions for the restoration of New Testament church government. To begin with, let us address how the “Christian religious world” got into its present condition. Our leadership problems started long before the Christian period. Man’s desire for glory on earth and his moral weaknesses constantly undermined God’s plan for His kingdom in the Old Testament. God made men high priests in the Levitical priesthood and judges; He reserved the kingship for Himself. Later the people wanted a king like other nations, so God gave the kingship over to men also (I Sam. 8:7). Both the high priests and the kings polluted their leadership positions (I Sam. 3:13; 13:13). All of this has been rectified in God’s kingdom today because God removed all men from high places. Jesus Christ is both king and priest (I Tim. 6:15; Heb. 8:1).
Despite God’s precautions, problems with leadership roles still exist in the Christian age. As it was mentioned before, the church at Corinth had begun to divide. One group claimed “I am of Christ,” but the other three identified with the men who taught them about Christ (I Cor. 1:12). They were acting like “mere men.” Please study I Cor. 3:1-4 for a definition of “mere men” traits. They are religious but they think like men of the flesh. They are babes in Christ. They do not perceive Jesus as an active king over God’s kingdom. Consequently, they seek a man with whom to identify. When “false apostles” or “deceitful workers” appear, as they did in the Corinthian church, division can take place (II Cor. 11:13). These deceitful workers draw away disciples after themselves. Paul warned the elders at Ephesus, “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock: and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:29, 30).
God created us to have the exalted position as sons in His kingdom. Therefore, He instilled within each of us an innate desire for glory. Consequently, if religious people do not have a hope of glory at the return of Jesus Christ, they can become dangerous to the church (Gal. 1:6-10). Their unbelief may cause them to look for glory now (John 5:44). A combination of “mere men” traits and leaders who are looking for glory from men can produce a church other than our Lord’s church.
The offices in the Lord’s church to which man can be appointed are not for his own glory. Please read the story about Jesus washing His disciples’ feet in John 13:3-17. The point is that leaders should not look for glory in God’s kingdom on earth. We must be steward-type servants for the Lord. Our glory will come later. But some are not satisfied with this arrangement (Gal. 4:17).
Even before the dust of the apostles’ feet had settled, men began to connive for positions of honor – positions that do not exist by Biblical authority. The Corinthian letters were addressed to this very problem. This was the problem in the church at Corinth. It is a major problem in the religious world today. It is a foundational cause for the division that we see in Christianity today. It should be seriously guarded against as a potential problem in the Lord’s church even now. From “one man” ruled churches to state churches, from protestors (protestants) to ecumenical denominationalism, men have established offices and powers for church leadership that God has not authorized.
At various times in history and in different cultures, there have been religious people who decided, after considering their non-Biblical practices, to correct themselves according to God’s Word. Restoration is a Biblical principle that calls us to this self-reflection and repentance (Matt 17:11; Acts 3:21; 15:16 NASB; 2 Cor. 13:9-11 ESV). It is still going on today as an ever-needful aspiration of faithful Christians. Restoring church government to the pattern in the Bible is critical if we hope to become what God wants us to be in Christ. In too many cases churches borrow the denominational method of using the preacher as the pastor, or feeder, of the church. In these churches the elders are usually used to function as an advisory board, at best. According to the pattern in the New Testament, we need to see the elders feeding the saved (themselves, teaching and overseeing preachers and teachers of the congregation) and the evangelists ministering the gospel to the unsaved.
A study of the following scriptures and words will enlighten us on the subject of the preacher and evangelist. Because some supported men identify as a minister, we will also consider this word.
Preacher – kerux – proclaimer (I Tim. 2:7; II Tim. 1:11; II Pet. 2:5).
Preacher – kerus – To cry or proclaim (Rom. 10:14).
Preaching – kerusso– to cry, or proclaim (Matt. 3:1; 4:17, 23; II Cor. 1:19).
Preached – kataggelo – to tell thoroughly (Acts 4:2; I Cor. 9:14; Col. 1:28).
Evangelist – euangelistes– one who announces good tidings (Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11; II Tim. 4:5).
Minister – diakones – laborer, ministrant, deacon (I Cor. 3:5; II Cor. 3:6; 6:4; 11:23).
Minister – huperetus – an under rower, assistant, helper (Luke 1:2; Acts 13:5; 26:16; I Cor. 4:1).
As churches become established, the temptation exists to focus the work of evangelists into preachers and teachers. Preaching and teaching is vital for the on-going work of the church, for its maturation in the faith, but we must never forget the plight of the world who has never heard the name of Jesus. We must keep our evangelists on mission!
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:19-20)
Having elders who are capable of “teaching” is one way that both goals, edifying the church while evangelizing the world, are accomplished.
In regards to the relationship of elderships and preachers, sometimes a lack of understanding of the special relationship of Timothy and Titus to the Apostle Paul can cause some misapplication of scripture today. The difference between these very unique relationships is the office of the apostle. Let us carefully follow Paul, the apostle, and note how much of the work of Timothy and Titus was under his apostleship. Their authority came through Paul’s apostleship. If the apostles are “no more”, so goes the authority given to Timothy and Titus by the apostle Paul. Please study the following points and scriptures.
PAUL’S APOSTLESHIP – (I Cor. 9:2)
- gave orders (I Cor. 7:17; 16:1)
- strengthened churches (Acts 15:41)
- called elders (Acts 20:17)
- sent messengers (II Cor. 8:23).
- received support from churches (II Cor. 11:8)
- cared for churches (II Cor. 11:28)
- preached (II Tim. 1:11)
TITUS
- Paul’s fellow-worker and partner (II Cor. 8:23)
- church at Corinth received him with fear and trembling (II Cor. 7:15)
- organized a benevolent work at Corinth (II Cor. 8:6)
- helped administer work (II Cor. 8:19)
- travelled with Paul (Gal. 2:1)
- “set in order what remained, and appointed elders in every city as (Paul) directed him” (Tit. 1:5)
TIMOTHY
- accompanied Paul (Acts 16:1,2)
- Paul commanded him (Acts 17:15)
- fellow worker (Rom. 16:21)
- Paul sent him (Acts 19:22; I Cor. 4:17; I Thess. 3:2)
- did the Lord’s work for Paul (Phil. 2:19, 20)
- preached (II Cor. 1:19)
- Paul and Timothy wrote to churches (Phil. 1:1)
- had a spiritual gift (I Tim. 4:14; 5:22)
- Paul told Timothy what to teach (I Tim. 4:11)
- Paul told Timothy what to do (I Tim. 5:9, 19)
Paul called elders, sent messengers, confirmed and received support from churches, but he nor the other apostles were ever under the direction of the presbytery. Timothy, Titus and others were his messengers, fellow workers and partners. All of this was a part of Paul’s work as an apostle. This was the apostolic ministry of all of the Apostles of Jesus (John chpts. 14-16). All of these fellow workers preached, but it was Paul’s apostleship that gave them authority over the churches of Christ. Timothy and Titus had the authority to appoint elders via the delegated authority of the Apostle Paul. Thus, evangelists do not have the authority, today, to appoint or direct elderships as in the 1st century.
Today there are no apostles. Therefore, there are no church authorities on earth outside of the local congregation. We are the body of Christ and Jesus is our only head. There is no one in a local church who is not under the eldership’s oversight. The work of evangelism must go on, but the evangelist must adhere to church government just as everyone else. Today, evangelists teach young churches about New Testament patterned church government. They teach the young congregation to grow to the point where they can have a congregational appointment of elders. If the evangelist remains as a teacher of this church that now has an eldership, he functions under that eldership’s supervision.
In summary, since faithful Christians are God’s sons eternally, it is natural for Jesus to organize His church as a family. The church was not designed to give glory to some Christians now and others later. God’s plan is training and service on earth and glory with God in heaven. May we be careful to give God the glory by maintaining His order of church government. May the shepherds, and the preachers and teachers under their guidance, feed the flock so that the lost can see those “beautiful feet” of the evangelists in every nation!
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom. 10:15).
Questions for Discussion
- Describe the pattern that the Holy Spirit relayed to the apostles concerning church government.
- What are some reasons for the rejection of Biblical church government by the “Christian religious” world?
- What is one reason why people might want to draw disciples to themselves?
- What foundational practice might develop a church other than our Lord’s church?
- How many offices are authorized between Jesus, our king, and the elders?
- What was causing division in the Corinthian church?
- What is the meaning of the word “government” as it is used in the title of this lesson?
- Describe the movement found in the book of Acts in relation to church leadership.
- To the elders of the church in Ephesus, what did Paul warn would happen after his departure?
- List and define the Greek words identifying those who govern the church.
- Why can we conclude Jesus thinks the elders make better leaders than the apostles for His church today?
- Why should the Jewish Christians have been familiar with the terms identifying church leaders?
- Summarize the qualifications of an elder.
- Why is the qualification of being a successful parent compatible with God’s plan for mankind for church leaders?
- How does the leadership role of elders fit in with what is described in Eph. 2:19-22?
- How can elders help young parents?
- Why should we think of the local church as a family?
- How do faithful elders interpret reality?
- How did the “Christian religious world” digress to its present condition in relation to church government?
- What undermined God’s plan for His kingdom with physical Israel?
- What point did Jesus make by washing His disciples’ feet?