In our continued study of “Why I am a member of the Church of Christ”, this week in the pre-teen class, we reviewed the scriptural organization of the church. To be the church of the new testament, the church should be both organized and governed by the pattern prescribed in the scriptures.

First, the church of Christ is a monarchy, not a democracy, and the church of Christ is autonomous.

Ephesians 1:22-23 “²²And God placed all things under His fee and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, ²³which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.”

In referring to the church of Christ as a monarchy, it is meant that it is ruled by one person, Jesus Christ, not by councils, general assemblies or conferences, or by the majority of the members.

Also, the wisdom of God is seen in the autonomy of the local church. Each congregation is self-governed so if one perished, others would not be brought down with it so the “Word will never pass away.”

Finally, the organization of the church of Christ is to have Elders, Deacons and members.

Acts 14:23 “And when they have appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Elders are the “shepherds of the flock” and overseers of the church responsible for enforcing the law of Christ by holding the church to the pattern of His scriptures.

Deacons are servants and are charged with doing the work of the church.

According to 1 Corinthians 1:10 members are to be “perfectly joined together” and “united in the same mind and judgement.”

Christ has designed His church in a specific way by which we must be organized to be a congregation of Christ’s church.