Establish the need: Most Christians recognize that Pastors/Elders and Deacons have some authority, but does the Congregation (all the members of the church) also have any authority?
Purpose: We will see one line of support for the church congregation’s authority so that we will be aware and recognize the congregation’s authority in our church life.
The congregation has authority with choosing and appointing members for certain tasks
Point: We see the congregation of the church having authority when we that the whole church can elect its own officers and delegates (Augustus Strong, Systematic Theology, 906).
Proof
“Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,” (Acts 15:22)
- The context
- There was a big discussion whether or not one should be circumcised to be saved according to Acts 15:1-2.
- Acts 15:6 shows the Apostles and elders look into the matter.
- Here in verse 22 we see that delegates from the Church in Jerusalem would be pick to go to Antioch with explaining the right perspective.
- Notice how “the whole church” is mentioned as being part of the decision making with the apostles and elders (Henry Martyn Dexter, A Hand-book of Congregationalism, 36).
- In verse 23, “they sent this letter” with their delegates to the Church in Antioch, and “they” would have included the Apostles, Elders and “the whole church,” that is the whole congregation.
“and not only that, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness,” (2 Corinthians 8:19).
- In the context this is talking about Titus, see 2 Corinthians 8:16.
- Here in this verse Paul in talking about Titus said “he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work”
- In the Greek we know this decision to have Titus traveling and ministering with Paul is an action done to him since “appointed” is a passive voice participle.
- The agent of the appointment is indicated by the prepositional phrase “by the churches.” That is, it is the churches who appointed him to this task.
- Paul as the Apostle could have just picked someone to serve alongside with Him and yet we see the churches having the authority to delegate someone to work alongside the Apostle Paul.
- Practice
- Application for the pastors and teachers in the church
- Pastors and teachers do you teach your church the importance of their responsibilities of delegating and appointing the right people to do God’s Work?
- Do you also teach that character matters when it comes to whom the congregation appoint people to do God’s work?
- Application for the congregation
- Did you know you had responsibilities as part of the congregation of the church and that you participate in a shared authority with other members?
- Do you strive to grow more in God’s Word to help you with your responsibility as a church member in a congregation?
- Application for the pastors and teachers in the church
Good post about authority (and responsibility) of the congregation along with the application.
Thanks for reading this! I will teach this tomorrow for a host of Christians in a difficult country; pray it goes well!
Praying right now.
Thank you for your prayers!!! Still tinkering with the outline before I preach in two hours!
This is an excellent post brother Jimmy! “Do you also teach that character matters when it comes to whom the congregation appoint people to do God’s work?” This is just one aspect that is critical for today.
We come together to worship God. Today, people do not always know who God is, His attributes and how to approach Him. If we take a look in the OT, we should approach with reverence (NOT fear) and awe. This is not an either / or in relation to the NT with the love God has for us as His children and we for Him as our Father but a both / and. A cavalier attitude will not do.
We also should encourage, edify and strengthen one another. In the modern church, many see a place of entertainment and / or babysitter for the kids. Instead, we should be growing in Holy Scripture and being conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Knowing God, being in His Word and fellowship with the brethren will assist us in watching one another and seeing what gifts God has given to each person (e.g. Timothy). We can then ask: How can those gifts be developed and nurtured to / for the glory of God? There is a great responsibility all members of the congregation share.
Amen to the question you raised ” We can then ask: How can those gifts be developed and nurtured to / for the glory of God?”
Amen! The truth about the authority God gives to the congregation should motivate Christians in the congregation to practice their spiritual gifts so that way church is not just a spectator activity! Pray for me that I teach this tomorrow!!
Absolutely brother! On it 🙏
The same thing stuck out to me as well about character, Michael! I love how you say this is a both/and not either/or, so true!
I hope it is ok to a question for you and Jimmy and I am NOT asking with a bad spirit or anything negative! I am honestly wondering, what does it look like for women in this? Since women are congregants as well as men, does this include women in these decisions/appointments?! I will be honest, at least in my area, the Reformed/conservative churches could do more to explain the responsibilities of the congregation other than to submit to the elder board, give, serve etc. These are all important for sure, no doubt about it! I hope what I am saying makes sense! It does in my mind! So thankful for y’all!
Excellent questions: “I am honestly wondering, what does it look like for women in this? Since women are congregants as well as men, does this include women in these decisions/appointments?”
I look forward to hearing the answers.
Go Braves!
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I will Lord willing have other posts on the authority of the Congregation in this series; I do see women is a part of the congregation’s authority. I agree I think conservative and Reformed side which I put myself in, do need to do a better job of not just seeing offices authority (which exists and is biblical) but also that of the congregation. It is ironic to me how some can for example push so hard for 9 Marks in a controlling way but don’t get the spirit of Congregational authority they profess, where the Program is above the people…does that make sense?
Amen! That is EXACTLY what I had in mind!!! When the Lord wills, I look forward to your future posts! I am so blessed by your ministry!
Yep!
Working on my response sister Mandy! Awesome question and totally enjoy the discussions. 😀✝️✝️✝️📖
1. Short answer: Yes. I agree with what Jimmy wrote in his reply. With respect to Acts 15:22,:
Matthew Henry wrote: “Herein they remembered the instructions their Master gave them: “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.” – Matthew 23:8 LSB).
The Reformations Heritage SB states: “…The council did not simply issue a decree from James but came to a unified understanding among the leaders and members of the church….”
This addresses the authoritarian pastor no accountability issue. I think there was a good conversation on X recently stemming from a “reformed pastor” whose manner in addressing certain reformed women was reprehensible. Tom Buck, Owen Strachan and possibly others addressed the issue not only rebuking him but instructing him in the proper manner on how to address a sister in Christ.
2. In Love: We would do well to remember our Triune God is the Sovereign Lord over all creation. God is God and we are not. In that created order He made male and female. Anything that demeans, twists, perverts, distorts or challenges this created order is wicked, evil, sinful and rebellious. God’s divine attribute of love is not the selfish “love” of man. God is the proper relational boundary for male and female. He and His Word are the standard by which we should live to the praise of His glory. His love is sacrificial as we see in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom we are to imitate.
“Let all that. You do be done in love.” – 1 Cor. 16:14
“…because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Rom. 5:5
“Let love be without hypocrisy-by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good.” – Rom. 12:9
Read 1 Cor. 13.
John 21:15-17 reveals the heart of God’s pastor. Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? Then tend to his sheep…all of them…male and female.
3. We are one in the body of Christ. Both male and female are part of the body of Christ and there are no negative aspects from either gender in it. Both are loved, valued and accepted and have contributions to make within the church.
Without women, there would be few churches and not many members in them. I am thankful for the godly women mighty in word, prayer and deeds God prepared beforehand for them to walk in who have impacted my life.
There is an old saying the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
“being reminded of the unhypocritical faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that it is in you as well.” – (2 Timothy 1:5 LSB)
4. Church Governance:
What church one attends and whether it is denominational or non-denominational matters. One should become familiar with its governing structure and documents. It is also critical to research well into any papers that might differentiate them from say a WCF/WLC/WSC or 2LBCF if reformed of course. Also, look into any policies (e.g. ecumenical agreements, associations, ideologies, etc.). These determine who does what within the church and what direction the church is heading.
Office authority as Jimmy stated is biblical (e.g. 1 Tim 3). At the same time, the session or congregation (i.e. men and women) votes on many matters not the least of which would be calling a teaching elder / pastor. I thought this was an interesting note from Craig Keener:
“Spencer compares decisions made by the elders and the “whole church” later in Acts (Acts 15:4, 12, 22) and concludes:
In short, throughout the book of Acts a non-hierarchical, democratic process characterizes church government in general and the appointment of ministers in particular. Peter and the apostles play a leading role but do not lord their authority over fellow-believers in Jerusalem or elsewhere.334
This statement might need to be qualified: Paul appointed elders for young congregations (14:23), and the mother church in Jerusalem exercised a leading role in decisions that would affect the Diaspora churches if they submitted to that church and its decisions (15:22–23, 30, 41; 16:4). Nevertheless, the observation of sometimes democratic polity (certainly in a passage depicting the apostles’ accommodation to Hellenists) would probably not escape Luke’s audience, which may have found such government most suitable in their cities in the Aegean region (cf. 1 Cor 12:4–30; 16:16).”
God bless you.
Have you thought about making your comment into a post?
No but I work on it. My apologies for the length.
Brother no need for apologies! This was really good actually!
This is an excellent response, Michael!!!! I am sorry for only now just seeing it! You are so right about knowing the documents of a church and denomination. I will look into the responses of Tom Buck, Owen Strachan. Thank you for all the great Scripture references!!!!
Thanks for this good outline! Praise God for churches in which the congregation has responsibilities and a say. I’m very familiar with the church model of an authoritarian pastor with zero oversight.
I bet you do from your background!! I think a pastor understanding congregational authority and also submitting to the congregational authority in the right area is very very important!! I think as I continue this series I will have to deal with objections to congregational authority and that will touch on Roman Catholicism! So stay tune! I think you will be glad yes when I deal with Roman Catholic polity?
I look forward to your examinations of the RCC in regards to congregational authority because the former doesn’t allow for the latter. 🧐
Thanks for the insight. We need to pay more attention to the issue of governance. I think many congregants are not clear on the structure of the governance in their own churches. What is their personal role? Do they know?
Despite elder oversight and congregational involvement, many churches I have been involved with are essentially pastor lead. What the pastor thinks cannot be questioned.
Blessings.
That last paragraph I do see as well; we need to move beyond the model of a solo pastor authority; the more I grow older the more I see the wisdom for congregational authority and also the general principle of input from other mature saints!!! Amen!
Good point:
“Notice how “the whole church” is mentioned as being part of the decision making with the apostles and elders (Henry Martyn Dexter, A Hand-book of Congregationalism, 36).”
I had never thought that the whole church didn’t have such authority before, but if there were any doubt about it, Acts 15 removes it.
Amen thanks for pointing that out from the post. I’ve been blown away studying this topic
Insightful teaching. Thank you for using God’s Word to bring this topic forward.
Thank you for reading this!