By Steve A. Hamilton

Introduction:  The Lord set things in order in the church (Eph. 4:11-16).  He appointed certain people to certain tasks for certain reasons.  He organized the church this way for the ministry, for edifying, for unity, for knowledge, for equipping and perfecting man.  The Lord has a purpose for the way he organized the church. 

          Unfortunately, people are not satisfied with the church the way Christ has arranged it.  People feel they can improve the church.  Most of those “improvements” affect the way decisions are made for the local church.  The Catholic Church thought they could improve the church by creating a greater hierarchy.  Most denominations incorporate governing bodies like councils, conferences, and synods.  Even in the Lord’s church we find people who would simply like to change the way decisions are made. 

          We will examine how the church is meant to make decisions without “improving” upon God’s word or the organization He established. 

I.  Who can make decisions for the local church?

          A.  Christ has all authority (Matt. 28:18).

          B.  Apostles (Matt. 16:18-19; Acts 16:4).

          C   Elders (1 Pet. 5:1-3; Heb. 13:17; Acts 16:4)

          D.  Men (1 Tim. 2:12; Acts 6:3; 15:22). 

          E.  Note who is not on this list; in particular, women, congregations, councils, etc.       

II. What about Acts 15?

          A.  There’s a trend within churches of Christ to permit the congregation to make decisions.  Those who want to say important decisions should be made by the congregation turn to Acts 15 and point to verses 3 and 22 for justification.  They conclude that such gatherings permit the church to make decisions authorized by this example.

          B.  However, a close examination of the context of the situation results in a different conclusion:

                   1.  The church in Antioch did send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem (Acts 15:3).  However, the church didn’t make the decision for them to go.  They went to Jerusalem because Christ told Paul to go (Gal. 2:2). 

                   2.  The issue (Acts 15:5).

                   3.  Paul and Barnabas had already addressed this issue (Acts 15:1-2).

                   4.  Paul already knew the decision (Gal. 5:1-4).

                   5.  Paul later identifies those bringing this issue as false brethren (Gal. 2:4-5).

                   6.  Paul reveals that he spoke of this matter before the meeting took place in Acts 15 (Gal. 2:1-2).

                   7.  The issue was brought before the Apostles and Elders (Acts 15:6).  The church was present during the discussion (Acts 15:22).  However, it was the Apostles and Elders who were credited with making the decision (Acts 16:4). 

                   8.  This meeting was not an occasion for the women to speak their mind.  In fact, the audience was silent, which would include the women

(Acts 15:12).  It is safe to assume the women knew their place since the church was gathered (1 Cor. 14:34-35). 

III. What about Acts 6?

          Again, those who want decisions made by people other then men or Elders will point out this passage concerning the widows as a church decision.  Please read carefully.

                   1.  The brethren were appointed to the task of recommending men to oversee the needs of the widows (Acts 6:3).  “Brethren” in this passage is not a reference to the whole church just because the multitude of disciples were gathered (Acts 6:2). 

                   2.  The apostles specifically told the men to decide who to select; however, it was the apostles who reserved the ultimate decision for themselves (Acts 6:3).

                   3.  The multitude (not the church) was pleased with the decision (Acts 6:5).            

IV. In the absence of Elders, who makes the decisions for the local church?

          A.  Since there is no other command, example or necessary inference authorizing any other source, it falls to the men to make decisions for the church.  The men have that authority over the women (1 Tim. 2:12).

          B.  This means that the men collectively and acting together may have to perform some of the functions (as best they can) of the Elders.  If discipline is required of a sinful member, do we naively think it can’t be done without Elders?  Even without Elders, we must be obedient to God’s word.

          C.  Some argue that decisions that effect the whole congregation should be made by the whole group.  Decisions like whether to sell the building or relocate the work.  I don’t deny getting the congregations input and consensus into such matters is wise.  However, there is no Biblical authority to allow the congregation the decision especially when we realize that allowing a congregational decision would allow women an equal position with men in violation of scripture.  These decisions are ultimately the men’s to make in the absence of Elders.

Conclusion:  There are many things that seem wise to us.  “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12; 16:25).  If we don’t have enough respect for Christ to conduct ourselves His way, we should never have become Christians.  There are women who fundamentally believe the men have no authority over them in the church.  As a result, they disregard scripture (1 Tim. 2:12) and undermine the decisions the men make for the congregation. The congregation as a whole has no authority to make decisions itself.

Last modified: 05/02/08