Subject: need for a bible-anyone |
Bible Note: Greetings Mouse2! I was curious. I knew that you do not have the same kind of structure as say the United Brethren in Christ. But, I wasn't sure how a local church was identified as Church of Christ. This may sound funny, but in essence there is no "Church of Christ". There are simply churches which call themselves Church of Christ. ;-) Since the structure is as you have described it, how do you reconcile your structure with the New Testaments passage which demonstrate that other's did have authority over local churches in the New Testament. For example, in Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem so that the Apostles and elders could settle a question of doctrine. In verse 20, they wrote to the church in question to 'tell them' that they must do certain things. Further, v. 24 speaks of an 'authorization' which the men in question did not have. But, the implication is that such an authorization could exist. 1 Tim. 1:3 speaks of Timothy staying in Ephesus t command certain men to stop teaching a false doctrine. Titus 1:5 speaks of Titus being told to stay in Crete and to appoint Elders in the local church. These are just a few examples off of the top of my head, but they seem to argue against a strictly autonomous local church. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |