To pray for and with his flock, as the mouth of the people unto god, acts vi. The biblical pattern of church government ministry127. If one simply surveys the early church in the book of acts, it will not be long until notes of church organization. In acts chapters 4 9 we see satan attacking the early church at least 5 times. In other cases, the biblical evidence for congregationalism is less convincing, especially in acts. This is a lesson about the governance of the church of jesus christ, both. Have you ever heard congregational church government described in. For many baptists, these terms sound like polar opposites. We might even be successful in converting more sinners by practicing what we used to preach.
There are four basic forms of church government in existence today. Carroll county is governed by five commissioners, each representing his or her home district. For example, i do not find it persuasive to take the description of barnabas being sent by a church in acts 11. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. However, according to some speakers at the issues in baptist polity conference, the two. In studying this section the past couple weeks i have seen a strategy of the enemy unfold that i think will encourage us in the gospel and help us stand against him in our local churches. Ludlowthe book of acts was written by luke after his gospel as the second part of a. Carroll county government carroll county, maryland. And maybe we can begin to correct some of the doctrinal problems and division so prevalent in the church of our time by trying to find the church in the book of acts instead of the alien sinner. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints has received a similar. We hope that you will find your visit enjoyable and informative. But without the local church, how could there be any elders.
The early church had the pattern, therefore, the glory. In the book of acts, the government of the church was in the hands of the fivefold ministry, where god placed it. They are episcopal, presbyterian, congregational and nongovernmental, but it should be noted that those terms are by no means restricted to their corresponding denominational name e. In acts we see basic principles being applied to specific situations in the context of problems and persecutions. Polity is organization first, polity is organization. Theocratic government is a form of ecclesiastical polity that has been historically associated with the teachings of a. Furthermore, acts does not include any account of a struggle between christians and the roman government as a result of the latters imperial cult. The practical expression of the church by witness lee.
Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. It was previously employed in church of god and church of god of prophecy. In the book of acts and in all the epistles, the government of the church is mainly centered in the elders. Acts church exists to make the love of jesus known all over the world through the lives of those who have been changed by it.
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