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THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH

1. TWO USES OF THE WORD CHURCH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
   1. Universal, Comprehensive sense including all saved of the earth - Matt 16:18; 1 Tim 3:15; Eph 1:22-23. In this sense the family of God, Body of Christ, Kingdom of God, are the same. No organization in universal sense, knows no authority but Christ and His Word. Whoever does the will of God and obeys the Gospel belongs to it - Acts 2:41, 47.
   2. Local Churches, limited sense, including all God's people in one community - 1 Cor 1:2; Rom 16:16; Acts 14:23; 5:11; 8:1.
2. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE LOCAL CHURCH.
   1. An established order - Acts 14:23. In every church - Tit. 1:5. Set in order the things that are lacking.
   2. An independent self governing unit, always spoken of as separate units - Gal 1:2. Churches of Galatia; Gal. 1:22. Church of Judea. Several independent Churches in one district and no district organization - 1 Cor 14:33, 40. In this comprehensive injunction, given to a church, is implied control of its affairs by the Church.
   3. A plurality of Elders in every local Church - Acts 14:23. Ordained Elders in every Church - Acts 20:17.
   4. Deacons - Phil 1:1.
   5. Members - Rom 12:4-5; 16:1-2; 1 Cor 12:27. Identification with a local Church was the practice of New Testament days.
   6. What if God had not told us what to do. What if God just said, "Organize?"
3. LOCAL ORGANIZATION ONLY MEDIUM THROUGH WHICH THE EARLY CHRISTIAN WORKED.
   1. New Testament mentions no other.
   2. Every good work done through the local congregation, Eph. 3:10.
      1. Missions - Acts 13:1-3, sent out by local church.
      2. Charity - Acts 14:25-28, funds for poor saints in Judea were placed in the hands of Elders of Jerusalem church to be administered by them.
      3. Various scriptural methods may be used in carrying on the work of the local Church
4. CO-OPERATION OF LOCAL CHURCHES.
   1. Local churches co-operated in doing their work but such work was under the supervision of a local church and its eldership - Rom 15:25-26; 2 Cor 8:1-5; Acts 11:28-30.

CONCLUSION: No authority for any organization beyond the local