Introduction:
  I. The word “church” was used in two senses in the New
     Testament.
     A. Universal
     B. Local
 II. The church universal has no earthly organization, as
     all members stand equally under the head of the 
     church, who is Christ. (Ephesians 1:22-23)
III. The Lord has given an organization for the local
     church, and it must be followed if we are to restore 
     the church of Christ.
 IV. Philippians 1:1
  V. A study of that organization is the subject of this
     lesson.

Body:
  I. The local church should appoint qualified men to serve
     as elders of the church.
     A. That this is an office in the church can be seen
        from the following scriptures:
        1. Acts 14:23
        2. Titus 1:5
     B. In every case there were more than one appointed in
        each church—Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5.
     C. Elders were given three primary responsibilities:
        1. They were to rule the church (Hebrews 13:17; 1
           Timothy 5:17).
           a. They make decisions in matters of judgment—
              kind of songbook, preacher for meeting, etc.
           b. However, they are not to be lords over God’s 
              heritage, but should be considerate of the 
              wishes of the congregation. (1 Peter 5:1-3)
        2. They were to see that the members of the
           congregation were properly taught the word of 
           God (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2).
        3. They were to watch after the souls of the
           members (Hebrews 13:17).
           a. This is a serious responsibility.
           b. They have to give account before the Lord.
     D. Elders had to meet certain specific qualifications,
        listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:5-9.
        1. Only after many years of effort with these
           qualifications in mind can one qualify himself 
           for this office.
        2. This is involved in “desiring the office” (1
           Timothy 3:1).
     E. Different terms used in reference to those holding
        this office.
        1. Elder (Age – advanced in age) – Acts 20:17; 
           Titus 1:5.
        2. Overseer (a man charged with the duty of seeing 
           that things to be done by others are done 
           rightly) – Acts 20:28
        3. Bishop (same as overseer) – Titus 1:7.
        4. Pastor (a herdsman, a shepherd) – Ephesians 
           4:11.
        5. Presbyter (same as elder) – 1 Timothy 4:14
        6. Shepherd (same as pastor) – 1 Peter 5:1-4

 II. The church should appoint qualified men to serve as
     deacons of the church.
     A. The church at Philippi had bishops and deacons
        (Philippians 1:1).
     B. The deacon is a servant in the church, working
        under the elders.
     C. The qualifications for deacons are found in 1 
        Timothy 3:8-13.

III. Where there are no qualified men to serve as elders,
     the men of the church must meet, and in the most 
     orderly manner possible work out the business of the 
     church.  Some suggestions toward orderly business 
     meetings follow.
     A. In every item of business, an effort should be made
        toward an unanimous decision (majority rule is poor 
        rule in the church!)
     B. Every person should be allowed to voice his
        thinking in a matter, even if he stands alone.
     C. If a matter of mere preference comes up, and I find
        myself differing with the preferences of most of 
        the people, I should be willing to give in that the 
        decision might be a unanimous one.
     D. If, however, a matter comes up to which a man is
        conscientiously opposed, he should let it be know, 
        and the group should give preference to his 
        conscience in the matter.  (Two exceptions to this 
        rule: (1) If there is direct command of the Lord in 
        the matter. (2) If the progress of the church is at 
        stake.)
     E. If an item of business is passed in spite of my 
        conscientious protest and objection, I should go on 
        record in the minutes as being opposed to that 
        particular action, that all men might know that I 
        had no responsibility in the matter.
     F. If the action passed over my protest affects my 
        personal service to the Lord, then I must make 
        necessary arrangements to serve the Lord according 
        to the truth.