Ecclesiology
Biblical Text
1. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 ESV – Apart from the Pastoral leadership in the Church, this scripture also emphasizes the need and existence of qualified Deacons and Overseers in the church. A clear indication of a church structure calls for other leaders who can benefit the church congregation.
2. Ephesians 4:11-13 – When Jesus Christ himself has laid the church structure that requires the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, then every church member including the pastors must earnestly pray and look for spiritually qualified people who can serve these roles to bring full benefit to the church.
3. Acts 6:1-7 – We must publicly appoint qualified spirit-filled people in the church for different tasks. All those church movements that practice with no church government must learn that besides the pastors, the church still needs more qualified people in the church to serve.
4. Galatians 3:28-29 – According to this scripture, because of Christ Jesus, there are no more Jews or Gentiles, therefore, it would not be appropriate according to the New Testament scripture to distinguish the New Testament church from Israel.
5. Ephesians 2:11-22 – This biblical scripture is one of the most profound explanations of the Apostle Paul for the non-Jews receiving the spiritual citizenship of Israel through the blood of Jesus Christ.
6. Hebrews 12:22 – The writer of the Hebrews scripture speaks that the new Jerusalem is indeed located in heaven. Therefore, the concept of ethnic Israel reigning over the nation is not something that will happen on this earth during the millennium when Christ returns.
Key Issues: On the Doctrines of Ecclesiology
1. Nongovernmental Church: One of the issues in Ecclesiology that is most common is having no church structure government. Biblical theologians define it as a “Nongovernmental Church.” These types of church movements don’t follow the biblical ways of doing church. Particularly when it comes to organizing and delegating certain positions in the church. They just emphasize the role of a single Pastor (who planted the church) by relying on the inner voice or the leading of the Holy Spirit for the Church (which is not wrong). However, according to the New Testament Church of Christ, should function with a biblical form of church government that promotes elders, deacons, evangelists, and teachers. But somehow, the concept of the church government is completely missing because of ignorance and disobedience towards God’s word.
2. Dispensationalism:The other doctrinal error is the Theology of “Dispensationalism” because it makes a distinction between ethnic Israel and the New Testament church. They also believe that the futuristic hope given in the Old Testament scriptures can’t be completely fulfilled with the New Testament church because it is not ethnic Israel. They believe that all the prophecies in the Old Testament scriptures concerning Israel are supposed to be taken literally by rejecting the idea of Israel as the New Testament church. Therefore, they believe in the literal restoration of ethnic Israel through Christ Jesus. With that, they see Isaiah 2:2-4 in the light of ethnic Israel having a task related to Nations when Christ return, and rules on the Nations in the millennial period on this earth.
Personal Statement
1. Nongovernmental Church: It is biblically evident that we must have a church government structure to fully benefit the church. Having no church government will not help the congregation to grow mature in Christ. Every person has different giftings, therefore, responsibilities should be delegated accordingly to use individual giftings to benefit the whole congregation.
2. Dispensationalism: It is not biblically evident to support the theology of “Dispensationalism” because in Christ, we are all spiritually Abraham’s seed and for that reason all Christ believers will inherit every promise given by God in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Warrant for Position
1. Nongovernmental Church: According to the New Testament scriptures, the church needs to have different authorities with different roles and responsibilities assigned to the faithful congregation. It’s not just the church pastor who should rely on himself to form a church government. Biblically, it is very clear that we must have a Church government that should consist of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers who can equip the body of Christ (Eph 4:11-12). A qualified spiritual team that will be united in leading and helping the congregation to attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13). According to 1 Timothy 3:1-13, the church should also look for overseers, elders, and deacons in the church structure. Making sure that these leaders are selected according to biblical standards. We may also investigate Acts 6:1-7, where we note seven qualified men (including Stephen) being selected and given the responsibility for a certain task by the Church leaders. These men were not selected to teach the Word of God, but instead, they were chosen to help the widows. For that reason, the other ministers were able to pray and preach the word without any other distraction (Acts 6:4). In a similar way, some independent churches would need to learn to appoint qualified individuals with different responsibilities in the church. Those responsibilities shouldn’t be delegated or given to an individual without involving the church leaders or the congregation. Like Acts 6, the leaders must appoint a person with a certain role in front of the church congregation. Sometimes, the leader of the church (mostly pastors) gives the responsibility not in a biblically organized way. They delegate a person with certain responsibilities without involving the congregation. Therefore, no one in the congregation would know when he/she was given some responsibility in the church by the leaders. Hence, when the congregation sees those people operating without being appointed in front of the congregation, then the congregation ends up ignoring, disrespecting, and rejecting their responsibility or role in the church.
It is also biblically important to work as a team to bring full benefits to the church in many ways. Somehow, the pastors purposely don’t want to appoint someone in the congregation because they want to see themselves as a superior authority in the church. Therefore, these pastors (who may have planted their church) neglect the church government so that they can have strong control. However, in this way, I have seen that the church will eventually never do well. On the other hand, it is also important to address that when a pastor delegates a certain responsibility that may require the role of a teacher or an elder, then that person must practice submission under the leadership of the church. In some cases, when a pastor delegates responsibility to a certain person, then that person sometimes ends up being deceived by taking control of the congregation with the wrong motivation of splitting the church congregation and making it his own. This problem has occurred in the past frequently; for that reason, somehow, the pastors don’t feel comfortable appointing or giving a certain leadership role to someone in the church. However, the church leadership should still aim with wisdom and sensitivity to have a church government. They must often teach unity, submission, team building, and discipleship, and should not be afraid of what others may end up doing. Because, as God’s servant, the primary call is to faithfully serve with biblical standards. So there is a need to learn to submit to God’s call on the church Government despite the challenges and obstacles they might need to face.
2. Dispensationalism: The theology of Dispensationalism should not be taken seriously as it promotes a literal understanding of the prophecies in the scriptures being fulfilled for ethnic Israel when Christ returns. Biblically, it is evident that the concept of Israel being special in God’s eyes has been changed in the New Testament scriptures. Now, all those who believe in Christ are the new spiritual Israel. One of my favourite scriptures to defend my case is from Galatians 3:28-29. It reveals the concept of ethnic Israel being no more valid: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile…if you believe in Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” In Ephesians 2:14, Paul makes it clear that God in Christ has destroyed all the barriers and has made two groups into one. Therefore, Jesus’ followers are the citizens of God’s kingdom, which is spiritual Israel ( Eph 2:11-22). First Peter 2:9 calls believers a holy nation. Additionally, the new city of Jerusalem, according to Hebrews 12:22, should be seen as the new Earth and new Heavenly Jerusalem: “But you have come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and innumerable angels in festal gathering.” Therefore, the concept of ethnic Israel, reigning over the nation, is not something that will happen on this earth during the millennium when Christ returns.
