The Glory of the Church Series

#13 The Autonomy of the Local Church

(appreciation to John Kachelman, my brother-in-law, for some valuable notes and ideas)

The church of our Lord is a wonderful institution!

It was build according to Divine pattern and purpose:

Eph. 3:10-11: "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, {11} according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."

There are distinctive traits of the Lord’s church revealed in the Bible and it can be identified today and restored to the original pattern using these traits:

Authority: Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).

Nature: Those who are saved from sin. It is a living organism (1 Peter 2) of redeemed saints (Eph. 4:4).

Purpose: Fulfilling the great commission (Matt. 28:18-20). Its work is the “work of God” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Structure: In the universal sense there is only one head, Jesus Christ. There is no inter-congregational or universal organization on earth. There is no hierarchy, ecclesiastical or pyramidal structure. Only in the local sense is it organized…God ordained that elders/shepherds/pastors serve as overseers in each congregation under Christ as the head.

When considered universally, it is an absolute monarchy! Jesus Christ is the monarch…the head.

(Eph 1:22)  "And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,"

(Eph 5:23)  "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."

Christ’s legislative power

a.       Qualifications of citizenship.

b.       Qualifications of officers in the kingdom.

c.       Duties of citizens.

d.       Duties of officers.

e.       Laws of finance.

f.        Laws of discipline.

g.       Laws for reinstatement of the backslider.

Christ’s executive power

a.       He eternally rewards those who obey.

b.       He eternally punishes those who disobey.

c.       He has chosen human agents to make known His laws.

d.       He furnishes all things necessary for His human agents.

Christ’s judicial power

a.       He passes judgment with regard to the keeping or breaking of His laws.

b.       He frees the innocent and sentences the guilty.

c.       He pardons those who repent and turn to Him.

Our discussion today will center around the last point of the church structure: particularly that of congregational autonomy.  Autonomy: “right of self-government; a self-governing state, an independent body.”

 This principle grows out of the fact that local congregations in the New Testament were independent and equal under God and were able to do their work under the elder’s watch.

 (Rom 16:16)  "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings."

 This principle is illustrated in the organized structure of the congregations in the New Testament. The church is to submit to the elders (Heb. 13:17) yet this submission does not mean indifference to decisions.

 Never in the New Testament is there taught a one man rule…in fact, Jesus warned against the ‘Benefactor’ ruling style when training the disciples: Luke 22:25:  "Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors."

 This principle must be followed:

1.       Because it is a matter of faith (according to the Word of God).

2.       Because there is no acceptable substitute.

3.       Because the effectiveness of the work depends upon it.

4.       The power of self-government is limited to matters of opinion and expediency. In matters of opinion and expediency the church must diligently seek His guidance in prayer and with a willingness to let His will be done. In all actions the church needs divine wisdom, strength and courage.

The problem with congregationalism.

Subject to error and inefficiency because it places all decisions in the hands of many who are unlearned and unqualified.

Congregational autonomy means full equality before God. Each congregation is on equal ground before God. The inspired record never gives an instance where one congregation exercised authority over another.

In fact, the church of Corinth, which had what seems to be the most problems and sin of all the New Testament churches, also probably had more of the “gifts of the Spirit” than all the others.

And yet there is not one single occasion when a congregation was ‘withdrawn from’ in the NT.

Under its elders, each congregation has power to plan, manage, and do its own work…discipline its own members…within the framework given to them by God.

Congregational autonomy means respect for the jurisdiction of elders:

a.      Realm of leadership: the congregation where they are members.

b.       Nature of leadership: spiritual, not political or worldly.

c.        Jurisdiction of leadership: the congregation.

d.       Nature of authority: not legislative, but administrative. It is not absolute, high-handed rule but one motivated by love and self-sacrifice.

 1 Peter 5:1-4: "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: {2} Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; {3} not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. {4} And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."

 Congregational autonomy is a matter of faith, which must be honored!

 The meaning of congregational autonomy

1. Equality before God
2. Self-governing.
3. Proper respect for the jurisdiction of shepherds.
4. Mutually free and mutually helpful.
5. Independent but not isolationist. Church cooperation is taught in the NT by approved example and by apostolic command. Disciples in Antioch sent to the elders in Judea for the poor in that area. The churches of Galatia and Corinth were also ordered (1 Cor. 16:1-3 and 2 Cor. 8:6-15) to send to the needy in Jerusalem. Autonomous churches may voluntarily cooperate in relieving the needs of others and in helping others do the work of God.

 H. Leo Boles: “The wisdom of God is seen in such an arrangement for His church. If one became corrupted in doctrine or affected by evil practices, the other churches would not be so affected. If dissension should arise in one, it would not spread to the others; if one perished, the others would not be dragged down. If a window is made of one large pane, a break injures the entire pane; but if it can be made of several panes, it is not so bad to break one. The independence of the churches is a protection  for each other.”

Last modified: July 10, 2008