The Government of the Church

I. Apostolic Succession

A. Some religions will base their validity and authority on apostolic succession, that is, they claim that those who are in authority serve in the office of the apostle, and so have the authority to legislate on the earth.

B. The Catholic Church is an example of this. ( Charts 1 &2)

C. They teach that the bishops are successors of the apostles.

D. They also teach that Peter was exalted above the apostles as their leader and that the bishop of Rome (the pope) takes Peter’s place (Chart 3 )

E. Vicar: “One serving as a substitute or agent; one authorized to perform the functions of another in higher office.” (Webster)

F. This stands in opposition to the scripture, Luke 22:24-30.

G. Would have been the perfect place for Jesus to tell all of them that Peter would be chief among them. His government would not be like the Gentile government. Acts 10:25 – Sharp contrast between Peter’s attitude and the Bishop of Rome!

H. The Mormons also teach in apostolic succession.

I. They have a quorum of 12 apostles in the hierarchy of the church. In fact, Joseph Smith claims in Doctrine and Covenants section 7, that the apostle John did not die and so that he could evangelize until Jesus returns again (though no one seems to have seen him!)

J. Some minor religious movements also claim apostles.

K. Whose apostles will you take?

L. These apostles are not scriptural.

M. ( Chart 4) They do not meet the qualifications of apostles.

N. Acts 1:21-22 Paul witnessed this later, 1 Cor. 15:6-8

O. ( Chart 5) They do not perform the signs of an apostle.

P. 2 Cor. 12:12

Q. Acts 19:11-12 (example of Paul) Acts 5:12-16 (example of Peter) Acts 2:43 Revelation 2:2 – Found the false apostles

R. ( Chart 6) They were not sent out by Christ

S. Mark 16:14-18 Acts 9:15

T. We have the genuine apostles today, the twelve chosen by Jesus through their words, inspired and preserved by the Holy Spirit.

II. Democratic rule

A. Some will throw off the claims of earthly apostles ruling the church but, in its place establish a democracy where the practice and faith of the church is defined.

B. Examples of this are conferences, synods, councils, etc.

C. We have no examples in the Bible of the members of the church coming together to vote and decide what the denomination will believe.

D. First, we don’t find denominations in the Bible, only the one church that the Lord established. (Chart 7)

E. The Christians were told not to be divided but to speak the same things and be of the same mind, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. Jesus wanted His believers to be one, John 17:20-22. Since we don’t find denominations, we do not find associations of churches meeting to decide what they believe about certain issues like abortion, homosexuality, etc. We do not see churches meeting to determine what will be the official position on a piece of legislature or organizing for some political purpose.

F. There is only one meeting of Christians that would closely resemble this (Acts 15) but it differs from these conferences, synods and councils.

G. Teachers came to Antioch from Judea telling the Gentiles that they had to be circumcised and keep the whole law in order to be saved.

H. Paul and Barnabas had a strong discussion with them but they were not convinced. It was not a matter of policy, since Peter had already taught the Gentiles in Acts 10 and did not require them to be circumcised or keep the Old Law.

I. So, they all went to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.

J. The apostles did have the authority to decide authoritatively on the matter (consider Matthew 16 and 18-authority to bind/loose) The false teachers came from Judea so the question was to be addressed at the source. The apostles testified of the works of God in the conversion of the Gentiles without the Old Law requirement. The result was not a new law or policy, but a letter to the Gentile brethren to ignore the false teaching of the Judaizers.

K. So what differences do we see? ( Chart 8)

L. It was not a democratic meeting of representatives of all of the churches that had been established. It had apostolic oversight and participation. God had already decided the issue, they had to recognize it and correct the false teachers. No new law or policy established, just rectification for the wrong committed by the Judaizing teachers. There were no annual meetings or conferences of believers or their representatives to determine the faith or practice of the churches.

III. What authority then?

A. God’s word is the final authority for faith and practice. ( Chart 9)

B. 2 Peter 1:3 Hebrews 13:7-9 Jude 3 ( Chart 10)2 John 1:9-10

C. The elders oversee the work of the church.

D. They are not legislative—law makers.

E. Christ is the only head of the church. (“make Jesus the president…”) Since the faith has been revealed, there are no more laws to make.

F. They are shepherds, overseeing the souls of the congregation ( Chart 11).

G. They only oversee the local church, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Titus 1:5.

H. They do not oversee a region or multiple groups.

I. No authorization in scripture No example or pattern in scripture.

J. As shepherds, they oversee the flock with which they meet.

K. They do not mingle in the affairs of other churches. This stresses the importance of us as brethren here seeking the truth on all things and desiring to bind ourselves to it. We should not care what anyone, even other groups calling themselves “churches of Christ” teach or do; the only important thing is what we teach and do here. The only thing more important than that is what you teach and do individually; we will all stand before God.

L. They are not lords or tyrants but have been given to the church to guide it towards heaven.

M. The elders are to be strong in the word (Titus 1:9).

N. They protect the flock from false teachers who would destroy others as a wolf attacking the sheep.

O. Sometimes they have to give more attention to the weaker and more vulnerable. We must strive to be strong to make their work easier. They lead the flock down safe paths not treacherous ways. We must thank God for them and desire more men who would serve in this honorable capacity with them.

IV. Conclusion: (Chart 12) So the government of the church is not based on earthly apostolic rule of men claiming to succeed the original twelve, nor a democratic assembly, but godly elders shepherding the local flock under the Head and Great Shepherd, Jesus.

V. Most Catholic references except from the Cathecism are from David Rigg’s excellent works on Catholicism.