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Why Baptist are Not Protestant: Part 1
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Church Government Intro: One of the great problems facing Baptists today is that we are constantly challenged on our identity. We are constantly bombarded with people telling us that the first Baptist Church on record that ever existed was in the Northeast in the 1600's and that it was started by a man that came out of the congregational church and as a result of that we now have Baptist Churches. Then others will tell you that the Church was built upon Peter being the first pope and as a result of that there has been a succession of popes on down through the years. However, there are problems with this premise. First of all Matthew 16:18, Jesus tells us plainly that he is continuing to build His Church and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. Secondly, Jesus promised his Church perpetuity and not the pope. Third, this perpetuity has been established if for no other reason that Jesus Christ promised this perpetuity and the fact that he is the head of His Church. He should know a little bit about what is going on. Tonight Lord willing, we are going to look at what and who governs the Lord's Churches. Any time that you have an institution you must have a government of some kind. You go to School and they have a principal. He is the one who sees to the administrative duties and the curriculum at that School. However, he still yet has to answer to the superintendent. It is the same way in the Lord's Churches. You have the Pastor, who sees to the administration of the Church, the Doctrine of the Church, and the overall behavior of the Church. The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:1-2 that the Pastor is to take the oversight, that means to be the one who takes charge of the pulpit and the things relating to the Church. However, he is not an island unto himself; but he answers to the Lord in this matter. There are a few things that I want to look at in relation to the government of the Church. I. The Head of the Church. A. Who it is Jesus Christ 1. Ephesians 1:22-23 and Ephesians 5:23-24 2. Colossians 1:18 B. The Church that Jesus built is to recognize no man or group of men as her head. Christ alone is the head of His Church that he started and that He died for. He is the Law and the Law giver of His Church. His Church is not to surrender herself to the dictates of men, a board, or presbytery (a ruling body of elders). To do this she has surrendered her God given responsibility and privilege. Christ said to His Church, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; Lo, I am with you always." What does this mean? Simply this, preach what I said to preach because I am your boss!!! II. The Holy Spirit is the guide and the leader of His Churches. A. John 16:13-14 The Holy Spirit is God, and many times, Churches are guilty of not following His leadership and when Churches and individual Christians do not follow the leadership of God they are not giving Him proper honor and glory. Keep in mind the Holy Spirit is not Christ. He is not pre-eminent in the God head or in his work; but rather he points others to Christ and Christ's teachings. He does however, empower the Lord's Churches to serve God, Acts 1:6-8. B. Notice it says, that he will guide into all truth. Does this mean that we are infallible and that whatever we believe is right? Absolutely not, the difference is that when we are wrong it is not that the Holy Spirit has lead the Lord's New Testament Church into error; but rather we are not following the Spirit of God. What does he (Holy Spirit) guide us into? 1. He guides us into the truth of His Word. 2. He guides us to follow Christ. 3. He guides, directs and empowers the Word as it goes out into a sin cursed world. III. The Government of the Church is Theocratic. A. What do we mean by Theocratic? Simply this, that God rules and reigns over His Church and that we are to follow him. A democracy is a governing of the people for the people and by the people. A theocracy is benevolent dictatorship. It is simply that God leads us and we are to follow him. We don't vote our desires; but rather the desires of God and him alone. 1. Acts 1:15-26 2. Acts 6:1-5 |