Thus far our study of the church has explored that the church is called a:

• Mystery (Eph. 3:3-10)
• Body (1 Cor. 12:12-31)
• Building (Eph. 2:10-22)
• Bride (2 Cor. 11:2)

It has also been established that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Foundation and Head of both the local church and the universal church.  Today we discuss church organization.  There is Scriptural evidence of some organization in the local church from its very inception.  Indeed – it was a defined and permanent congregation – but not as we know it today. 

THE LOCAL CHURCH IS A MICROCOSM OF THE COMPLETE BODY OF CHRIST IN HEAVEN AND EARTH

Most of the over 100 references to “church” in the New Testament refer to the local church.

Church officers:  

• “Apostles” – The 12 – There are NO apostles in the church today.
• “Prophets” – There are NO prophets now, and have not been since the last book of the New Testament was written.
• “Evangelists” – Evangelists will serve the church until Jesus comes again – they are ministers at large. (2 Tim. 4-5)
• “Pastors, Teachers and Deacons” – Pastors, teachers, (Eph. 4:11-12) and deacons, (1 Tim: 3:8-11) are local ministers.

Membership Records:

• The Book of Acts tells of us that there were about 120 in the Upper Room (Acts 1:15-26) and resembles very much a local church business meeting with Simon Peter as the Pastor.  It is here that he leads in choosing one to replace Judas with Matthias by drawing lots. 
• At Pentecost about 3,000 were added to their numbers by Holy Spirit Baptism (1 Cor. 12:13) followed by water baptism for the local Jerusalem church (Acts 2:41.)
• About 5,000 were added (Acts 4:4)

Please notice that the above Scriptures state that the numbers were “about,” indicating that they were not striving as many churches do, to achieve a certain number of members in their congregations.  This is a serious problem in many churches, as pastors covet large flocks.  This coveting is often, but not always, fiscally based – frequently  it is very much ego-driven.

ACTS 2:47

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Church ordinances:

• Baptism – There are two Baptisms – Holy Spirit Baptism, (Acts 1:5)  being absolutely necessary for salvation, and the other, Believer’s Baptism, an important and profound symbol of the Gospel (Acts 2:41, 47)  It is important to recognize that water Baptism must come after Holy Spirit Baptism – or else it is meaningless.  In essence – it is like washing a burned, filthy, encrusted, rusted, and pitted pot with water, when it is truly unsalvageable.  Water Baptism identifies the believer with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. 
• The Lord’s Supper – The Lord’s Supper is commemorative of His broken body and shed blood for the remission of our sins.  The Lord’s Supper is restricted to those who are born again or Spirit baptized (1 Cor. 10:16-17.)  It is also restricted to those who are in right fellowship with the Lord, striving to walk with Him and making full confession before partaking in the ordinance.  (1 Cor. 11: 17-30.) 

TITUS 1:5 

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: