Return to Authority and the Work of the Church

Presented, February 13, 2005 pm

THE AUTONOMY OF THE LORD’S CHURCH

                With so many different churches in our society today, it would be easy to understand why some are confused about religion and try to avoid it.  Many reason that since they can’t know which one they ought to be at, they will not go at all.  Others rationalize that it doesn’t really matter where one attends.  BUT if you study God’s word, you will find that it matters a great deal.  God demands unity, not only in purpose but also in action (1 Corinthians 1:10, John 17:20-21).  So how can we determine which church is the ONE TRUE CHURCH?  The answer is by going to God’s word and studying what the church is and what it is not.  Ask questions about what the church does, what it teaches and how she worships God.  Search the scriptures daily as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11 and determine for yourself whether or not a church is telling the truth.  In time, you will eliminate all man made churches because they are NOT following the pattern of scripture in all things.

                We could study every aspect of the church and gain a fuller understanding of what it is and what it is expected to do.  In time, it is my hope to do just that.  But tonight, we want to notice just one area that affects the organizational structure of the church as well as how the work it has been given to do can be accomplished.  A proper understanding of this subject will help eliminate many denominations and some so-called churches of Christ.  We want to talk about the autonomy and independence of the Lord’s church.

I.  What Is Autonomy?

A.      The word simply means, “the quality or state of being self-governing”.
As you study the New Testament you will find that Christ gave each congregation the responsibility to govern itself based upon the divine instructions of God’s word.
What this means is that each local church, (such as the one that meets here in Bellflower, CA) is self-governing.  We function without any organization larger or smaller as we do the Lord’s work within this community.  We are not affiliated with some association of churches; there is no earthly headquarters and we do not answer to any other church upon this earth.

B.       While there may be many local congregations, we function as if we were the only one on earth.   We answer directly to Christ Jesus realizing our only source of authority is His word (Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 1:20-23)

C.       In Revelation 2 & 3 we find messages addressed to 7 individual congregations.  Chapter 1:9-20 describes a vision that John has in which he sees Christ in the midst of these 7 churches (there is much symbolism in this vision that reaches the above conclusion).  Notice how each congregation had its own set of circumstances and answered DIRECTLY to Christ for their conduct.  While the source of the message was the same to each church (the same standard – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches), the message was different and catered to that particular congregation.  THE POINT – each congregation was independent and autonomous answering DIRECTLY to Christ.  That is what we try to do and that is why we do not claim affiliation with any other congregation.

IN our lesson tonight, we will develop this further by noting what this means and some reasons WHY we need autonomy.

II. Autonomy is Scriptural

A.      1 Corinthians 4:6, Revelation 22:18-19.  As we study this or any other subject, we must keep this principle in mind.  We are given examples and commands for a reason.

B.       Christ gave the church a congregational for of government.

a.        Philippians 1:1 – Paul is writing to the church in that city.  The verse mentions saints, bishops (elders, pastors) and deacons.  These are the ONLY groups we read of within congregations throughout the New Testament (other than apostles and prophets who had special function that have since been fulfilled). 

b.       Elders – Acts 14:23 – Returning home on their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas return to cities where they were before and “appointed elders in every church.”   Note how every church had their own elders. 
Consider also – Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1-3 which restrict the work of elders to the church they are a part of. 

c.        As you study the New Testament you will not find denominations, headquarters, associations or any organization larger than a local church.  You will not find churches answering to another congregation for their own conduct.  Nor will you find elders taking oversight of another congregation.
NOTE: Acts 15 is sometimes presented as an example of a “sponsoring church” or “headquarters”, but this does NOT fit the text.

C.       The local church was the only medium through which the church carried out its mission.

a.        As you read through the epistles, you find instructions addressed to various congregations.  We learn what works a church can (and cannot) do (evangelism, edification, limited benevolence and worship) and how they were done.

b.       Local churches supported preachers – Philippians 4:15-18

c.        Local churches took care of their own needy saints (first) – Acts 6:1-7 – the church in Jerusalem where Hellenistic widows were being neglected.  7 men were appointed

d.       Local churches sent relief to needy brethren in other congregations. 
Acts 11:27-30 speaks of the church in Antioch (of Syria) sending relief to churches in Judea.  They took a collection and placed it in the hands of the elders of the congregation(s) where there was a need.

e.        In cases of needs, local churches made up their own funds to send and they sent it by the hands of the messenger of their choosing. 1 Corinthians 16:1-3

f.         In all of these examples, we find churches maintained their autonomy and independence.  And what is remarkable is the fact that during the first century we find international evangelism and benevolence WITHOUT violating church autonomy. 
IF it could be accomplished back then without the technology and resources we have today, why can we not do all that God has given the church to do without creating human organizations or restructuring the Lord’s church?

III. Why Do We Need Autonomy?

A.      The first reason is because it is the EXAMPLE we have in God’s word.  Ephesians 3:10 tells us that the church is a demonstration of “the manifold wisdom of God”.  HOW can we improve upon that which God has created?  When man restructures the church or creates an organization to do the work of churches he is saying God’s way is not enough.
NOTICE 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 – can we improve upon God’s pattern found in His word?  I will NOT take that chance with my soul.

B.       Autonomy works!

a.        Consider evangelism – Mark 16:15 records the great commission.  Now notice Colossians 1:23 which says the gospel was preached “to every creature under heaven.” 
How was this work accomplished? By individuals (Act 8:4) and churches sending out and supporting preachers (both locally and abroad).

b.       Considering benevolence – we have seen the poor taken care of locally (first – Acts 6:1-7) and then when their resources were gone, they were taken care of by brethren internationally (Acts 11:27-30, etc.). 
Note: Much more could be said about the limits of the scope of benevolence a church can be engaged in.  AT a later date we will study that.

c.        Some might argue that the world was much smaller back then.  And it was, BUT they didn’t have the technology we have today.  We can wire money to anywhere in the world within minutes and preach the gospel around the world with just a click of a mouse.  Dealing with this subject, a preacher once wisely said, “Our trouble today is not a lack of sufficient organization but our failure to use the organization which the Lord has provided” (Harris J. Dark)

C.       Church Autonomy is a safety measure

a.        What is the problem with churches “getting together” to pool their resources?  The problem is the fact that in any agency there has to be subordination.  Someone, somewhere is giving up their autonomy in that area to someone else.

b.       Add to this the danger of centralized organizations.  The bigger an organization, the more powerful it becomes and the harder it is to resist.  NOW consider this: What happens when that organization demands or teaches error?  What if that organization wants to do something you have not authorized?  As a part of that organization, you are participating in that which you believe to be wrong? 
What options does one have?  Either conform or withdraw from that organization.  If you conform you become partakers in the sins of others.  IF you withdraw, you regain your autonomy – WHICH IS WHERE you should be in the first place!

c.        Also within large organizations, dictators have a tendency to emerge and demand more control.  And then there is the enemy of the organization. 

                                                      i.      What happens if a Catholic disagrees with the decrees of the pope?

                                                     ii.      Also, we live in a time when Christ is being assaulted more and more by an ungodly generation who doesn’t want us to preach our convictions.  If we have a large super-organization, when they wage attack, it affects ALL subordinate entities (churches).  In the case of a lawsuit – ALL local churches will have to pay, etc.
BUT, if each congregation is autonomous – to stop the Lord’s church they would have to go after each individual congregation which would be too costly. 

                                                   iii.      Also, the damage done is local rather than universal.  Maybe God knew what He was doing when He established that form of organization for the church.

In this lesson we have shown how the only form of government the New Testament authorizes is autonomous local churches.  We have seen the dangers and lack of authority for anything larger.  Let us strive to maintain God’s pattern in all that we do, including how we organize as His church in this location.  As the church here in Bellflower, the only thing we need to concern ourselves with is whether or not we are pleasing to the Lord.  Aren’t you thankful we don’t have to answer to some man or group of men somewhere who might be self-serving or in error?  Think about it!