The Local Church
1. All true Christians who associate together in forming a local church will strive to maintain the biblical standards and principles of gathering, fellowship, service, worship, love, and government.
2. While each local church enjoys a certain degree of autonomy in handling its affairs, it will always recognize that, as an integral part of the Church of Jesus Christ, it will decide its matters in harmony and conformity with the biblical principles of the New Testament, which repudiates all politics in the churches and in conventions in favour of or against candidates for local, national, or pastoral offices.
Diligent seeking of the genuine guidance of the Holy Spirit should be pursued so as to be able to say, as the early church: "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us." For human nature it is very difficult to wait and depend on the true direction and will of God, but this is the only wise and safe path.
The agreements reached at general conventions or councils should also be taken into account.
3. Each local church will have its own funds; will administer discipline to its members; when necessary will appoint responsible brothers as collaborators, who will be chosen from among the candidates proposed by the pastor in common agreement with the outgoing collaborators; whatever its local system of government, it will receive its pastor in the greatest harmony, responsibility, and fear of God; in all this recognizing Jesus Christ as the true Head of the Church, (Ephesians 5:23); the Holy Spirit as its true Guide, (John 14:18, 26); and the pastor as the Angel, (Revelation 3:1), who will have to give account to the Lord. (Hebrews 13:17). For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Ephesians 5:23
John 14:18, 26
Revelation 3:1
Hebrews 13:17
4. Each local church may send delegates to general conventions.
5. Each local church will support its pastor through tithes and offerings.
6. It is understood that for a local church to fully enjoy its local and general rights and prerogatives, it must be fulfilling its obligations in everything related to supporting its own work and the worker.
7. It is understood that the pastor and the church have mutual responsibilities. At the same time that the pastor will make his best efforts to administer to the church the pure message of the Word of God, (Acts 20:27-28) and to serve it in all things concerning his Christian ministry; the church is called to: For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:27-28
- To consider him as a messenger of God (Malachi 2:7; Galatians 4:15)
Malachi 2:7
For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
Galatians 4:15
Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
- To heed his biblical teachings (1 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Corinthians 16:16)
1 Corinthians 11:2
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
1 Corinthians 16:16
That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
- To follow his holy example (Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9)
Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
2 Thessalonians 3:9
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
- To imitate his faith (Hebrews 13:7)
Hebrews 13:7
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
- To respect and esteem him (1 Thessalonians 5:12; Philippians 2:29)
1 Thessalonians 5:12
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
Philippians 2:29
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
- To pray for him (Colossians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:1);
Colossians 4:3
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
- To support him (Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 9:11, 14; Luke 10:7)
Galatians 6:6
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
1 Corinthians 9:11, 14
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Luke 10:7
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
- To obey him (Hebrews 11:17)
Hebrews 11:17
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Questions
1. What is the government of each local church like?
2. What relationship does each local church have with the Church of Christ in general?
3. What should be diligently sought in the decisions of the church?
4. What must the church do in order to enjoy all its privileges?