The Church Organizes

MEMORY SELECTION: “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” —Ephesians 4:11,12

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: I Timothy 3:1-13

THE very simple and uncluttered organization established by the Early Church was put into operation under the supervision of the Holy Spirit. Shortly after Pentecost, when the church began to grow, it became apparent that there was a need for some organization of the efforts of the brethren in order properly to take care of the needs of the church. In Acts 6:2-4 we read, “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.”

And so the very Early Church established as servants both teachers and deacons. This set the pattern for subsequent churches as they were organized by the disciples. There was no central organization to which the various churches, or units, reported and received instructions, as is the custom of most of Christianity today. On the other hand, each church was an independent unit, recognizing only one Head, and that was Christ. The cohesive forces holding each group together were the Holy Spirit acting upon the hearts and minds of each individual member, the pure and simple truth of God’s Word, and the great mutual love for the Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus. This great love was reflected in the love of the brethren one for the other.

The general principles upon which each individual member and each church operated were expressed by our Lord in Matthew 23:8-12: “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

As the churches grew, it soon became evident that the Lord had provided some church servants with particular talents, or gifts, and so the service of each individual was specialized according to his particular ability. Our memory text enumerates some of these special abilities. Some were apostles, that is, ambassadors of the Gospel. These apparently had the ability to make an effective public witness of the Gospel. Some were selected to be prophets, that is, inspired speakers who had some special abilities in interpreting prophecies. Then there were evangelists who were gifted in proclaiming the Gospel. And finally, there were pastors and teachers. A pastor was one who gave advice and counsel, and a teacher was simply an instructor.

These especially qualified servants were responsible for caring for the spiritual needs of the local church group, and the deacons were responsible for taking care of their physical and material needs. This was the extent of the organization of the Early Church. They had no church buildings, but held their meetings in homes that were suitable.

The sincere footstep followers of Jesus down through the Gospel Age have endeavored to keep the church organization simple but yet effective, so that the objectives of perfecting the saints, the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ might be accomplished. Each individual group, or church, has maintained its complete autonomy and has avoided needless encumbrances such as buildings, ornate edifices, entanglements in social and political pursuits. All of these things are hindrances and would detract from accomplishing the objectives of the church.

Each member of the church earnestly looks forward to the time when its work here will be completed, making way in the development of the divine plan of the ages for Christ’s kingdom to be established here on earth, when all the willing and obedient may partake of the water of life freely.—Rev. 22:17

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