Know The Truth – Church Organization
The Holy Spirit said, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28. Since Jesus paid the price, His blood, for the church, He gave instructions on how the church is to be organized. John 16:13. The writers of the Word of God were guided by the Holy Spirit to give the instructions on the organization of the church for which Jesus died.
Jesus Christ is the Head of His church. The Holy Spirit said, “And hath put all things under His feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church…For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church….” Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; No man on earth may hold this position.
The Bible gives specific qualifications for a man to serve as an elder (bishop, pastor, presbyter, or overseer). “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” Titus 1:5-9; See 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-3. There is to be a plurality of elders (bishops, pastors, presbyters, or overseers). Acts 20:17, 18; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5. The elders are to watch for our souls. Hebrews 13:17.
Deacons are also to serve under the elders. The Holy Spirit said, “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.” 1 Timothy 3:8-12.
Preachers are to serve also under the elders. The Holy Spirit said, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14. Preachers are to be males.
Men have the responsibility to teach and pray in public, not women. The Holy Spirit said, “I will therefore that men [Greek males] pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting….Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” 1 Timothy 2:8-12. Women are not permitted to take a public lead in the church assembly according to the Holy Spirit. Women cannot serve as elders, deacons, nor preachers. Jesus also spoke against using religious garments and titles. Matthew 23:5-11; 20:25-28. No one should be called “Father” in a religious relationship nor given any title of such as “Reverend.”