• 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 oversight
      • Universal treasury
      • Universal work
    • Brotherhood 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 oversight
      • Brotherhood treasury
      • Brotherhood work
    • Local concept: all local churches are independent and govern themselves (Jesus Christ is the only head)
      • Local oversight (I Peter 5:2-4
      • Local treasury (I Corinthians 16:1-2
      • Local work
        • Evangelism- Philippians 4:15-16
        • Relieving a church’s own needy members - Acts 4:34-36
    • Brotherhood + local church concept: each local church is loosely bound to the convenction (i.e. Southern Baptist Convenction)
      • They claim: local oversight, treasury, and work
      • In a few things, they also have: brotherhood oversight, treasury, and work
        • Examples:
          • 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.