The organization of the church is the place that Satan has started much apostasy.Three concepts of church government (plus one hybrid):Universal concept: all churches in one unified arrangement (as in the Roman Catholic church)Universal oversightUniversal treasuryUniversal workBrotherhood concept: all churches that join one particular conference (i.e. Southern Methodist Conference) are under the oversight of the that group (i.e. Southern Methodist church)Brotherhood oversightBrotherhood treasuryBrotherhood workLocal concept: all local churches are independent and govern themselves (Jesus Christ is the only head)Local oversight (I Peter 5:2-4Local treasury (I Corinthians 16:1-2Local workEvangelism- Philippians 4:15-16Relieving a church’s own needy members - Acts 4:34-36Brotherhood + local church concept: each local church is loosely bound to the convenction (i.e. Southern Baptist Convenction)They claim: local oversight, treasury, and workIn a few things, they also have: brotherhood oversight, treasury, and workExamples:Baptist Hour radio program (funded by the Southern Baptist Convention)Buckner Children’s Home (also funded by the Southern Baptist Convention)“Churches of Christ” have attempted this:Herald of Truth radio and TV program (many churches sent to one church, which oversaw the work)Boles Children’s Home (operated by a denomination called “Churches of Christ”)Only one concept of church government has been authorized by God: the local church concept.
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