The Universal and Local Church - Organization

I. Introduction: We sometimes hear the terms universal and local church. Yet we may have some misunderstanding about what they mean or why it is important.

II. Text: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

III. Review of Terms

IV. We do not find the designations “universal church” and “local church” in the scriptures but the concept exists in the New Testament. (Chart 1)

V. Definition

VI. The local church is a church that meets in a particular locality, such as the church in Jerusalem, the seven churches of Asia, and Northwood.

VII. The universal church comprises all believers in Christ.

VIII. Hebrews 12:22-23 – The assembly of the firstborn

IX. The universal church is not made up of churches but people.

X. Local Authority

XI. Qualifications of Elders (Chart 2)

XII. 1 Timothy 3:1-7

XIII. Titus 1:5-9

XIV. Local Autonomy (Chart 3)

XV. Titus 1:5 – Paul wanted Titus to appoint elders in every city

XVI. Acts 20:28 – Shepherd their own flock

XVII. Their rule did not extend beyond the local body.

XVIII. They have no legislative power, only oversight over the souls of the members.

XIX. Universal Authority (Chart 4)

XX. The Lord is the head of the body

XXI. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

XXII. Colossians 1:18: “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”

XXIII. Ephesians 5:23 – Church submits to Christ

XXIV. God has not authorized any person or group to have oversight over the universal church.

XXV. The Lord alone has authority over the universal church; He has authorized elders to rule over the local church.

XXVI. Change in Authority (Chart 5)

XXVII. Originally, churches were autonomous, self-governing and independent.

XXVIII. Gradually, men began to change God’s order. The elders at a church would choose a man of good judgment and wisdom to be the presiding elder, or bishop. He would have to make decisions with the rest of the elders but he had special oversight and delegation responsibilities to the other elders (Mosheim 39).

XXIX. When large city churches would establish rural churches, the bishop would exercise authority over them as well. (Chart 6)

XXX. He would appoint deputies, called country bishops, to oversee those churches.

XXXI. They occupied a position between the elders and the bishop (Mos. 39).

XXXII. Eventually, the bishop would rule a specific territory, called a diocese (Cox 27). (Chart 7)

XXXIII. The diocese was subdivided into smaller districts, called parishes, overseen by a presbyter or priest who would answer to the bishop (Latourette 132).

XXXIV. Throughout the second and third centuries, we can see the distinction between the members of the church and the leadership.

XXXV. The idea of clergy (church government) and laity (members) was unknown in the New Testament.

XXXVI. When problems and questions would arise, the bishops and elders from different churches would meet and discuss them. (Chart 8)

XXXVII. Early in these meetings, the elders would all have an equal voice and they understood that the conclusions were not binding on all of the churches (Mosheim 39-40).

XXXVIII. Soon, however, the occasional gatherings became regular meetings called synods (Greek) and councils (Latin) that did have legislative powers. (Chart 9)

XXXIX. The bishops from the chief cities (Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Constantinople), were called patriarchs, or chief fathers and presided over the councils.

XXXX. The metropolitans, another name for the patriarchs, chose a president of the council (Cox 27-28).

XXXXI. The bishops recognized the Bishop of Rome as having greater authority than the other bishops (Latourette 133).

XXXXII. The Bishop of Rome, as their overseer, eventually assumed the name papa, or pope.

XXXXIII. The most well known council was the Council of Nicea (325 A.D).

XXXXIV. The council met to discuss various controversies over doctrine.

XXXXV. The 318 bishops in the council, under Emperor Constantine’s oversight, adopted a formal statement of faith called “The Nicene Creed” (Cox 30-31).

XXXXVI. We read of no creeds in the New Testament yet they have defined the divisions between the denominations throughout the centuries.

XXXXVII. Comparison of change in government

XXXXVIII. Chart showing Bible government and man’s government (Chart 10)

XXXXIX. Inherent problems with man’s government (Chart 11)

XXXXX. It is without authority in the Bible

XXXXXI. There were hierarchical governments in Jesus’ time

XXXXXII. Jesus did not organize the church in this way

XXXXXIII. There is not Biblical pattern nor commands to organize churches

XXXXXIV. Errors and false teaching is quickly spread among churches

XXXXXV. Churches can exert pressure on one another to conform to viewpoints

XXXXXVI. The role of the elder is diminished in an unscriptural way