Jesus built the church (Matthew 16:18). He is the head over it (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18). The church is to be organized according to His will, the New Testament, ratified by His blood (Hebrews 9:15-18). Jesus shed His blood for the church, so it must be precious; it must matter to Him (Acts 20:28). This is the point Paul made to the overseers of the church at Ephesus so that they would follow his example in caring for the church with all the effort they could muster since people from within the church would try to lead people away from the Lord’s precepts (Acts 20:17-32).
Today many churches exist with differing doctrines, headquarters, and hierarchies. However, when we consult the New Testament, we find that a plurality of men possessing certain godly qualities supervised the local congregation among which they labored (Acts 14:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). No example exists in the New Testament of an archbishop who ruled over multiple congregations, legislating from afar what individuals in various regions were to teach and practice. God delivered once and for all the entirety of truth we are to follow today through the apostles in the first century (John 16:13; Jude 3). Elders labor among their local congregation, set an example to their flock, and by their authority enforce only that which is in harmony with the Bible, the revealed will of God (Acts 20:28, 32; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:7).
No committee has the right to veto or overturn what God has clearly revealed in His word. Many man-made hierarchies found throughout the religious world have often plagued their adherents spiritually by usurping Christ and legislating where they have no authority. Let us beware of such departures from the genuine faith to the doctrines and commandments of men (Mark 7:1-13; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; Colossians 2:22). Let us abandon any form of church government that has no basis in Scripture.
Within the boundaries of God’s word, we must remember admonitions given to those in leadership positions and the souls entrusted to their care. Elders, remember that you are stewards of souls which belong to God (Titus 1:7). Remember what Peter wrote:
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4.)
Those of us who are members of flock should remember the injunction of Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Remember Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-16), and we are all trying to help one another obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).
