The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum CHURCH GOVERNMENT

I don't see the connection between Polycarp allegedly seeing the Apostle John and church government? What I do read in Scripture are the letters of Paul, for example, writing to individual churches either directly or the individual churches located in a specific region. IF a Presbyterian form of government was in place at that time, I would expect Paul to have addressed the General Assembly or at least a presbytery that had the oversight of those local churches... but I do not see anything like that.

1. What are the major Biblical texts in support of Congregationalism?
See above. I read of individual, local churches only.

2. What is the Congregational interpretation of Acts 15?
The Jerusalem Council was a temporary design, as were many things in the infancy of the NT Church, which became extinct when the church grew throughout the world. (see Eph 4:11-13)

3. Was the church in Jerusalem a single assembly or various assemblies in various homes?


1. It seems to me that whereas church members are accountable to elders, a Congregational church as an entity is not accountable anywhere. The argument is usually that it is accountable to the Lord Jesus the head of the church. But a church member might argue the same way with respect to his accountability.
The analogy is spurious, for Scripture clearly states that members of a local assembly are under the direct authority of the appointed/ordained elders. It is true, that individual believers are ultimately under the authority of Christ, but the elders/pastor/teachers are Christ's delegated authority.

2. It seems to me that Congregational churches have no court of appeal for both Minister and member. So one's fate is left to a few men (elders) or the general membership. Isn't there safety in a multitude of godly and mature counsel as is to be found in Presbyteries, Synods and General Assembly?
I already addressed that question in my first reply. But briefly, most Congregational churches are part of a voluntary group of like-minded Congregational churches who adhere to a designated official confession of faith, e.g., the Savoy Declaration of Faith and Practice (1648). And, as I also mentioned, invariably history shows that there is no advantage, in fact a disadvantage to the "court" system of Presbyterianism, which if one is honest mimics our political systems which have the most corrupt at the top making decisions and judging the common man. There is no perfect system and I do believe Scripture does offer a definitive teaching as to what system is right.

Lichawa,
A debtor to sovereign grace.[/quote]