Introduction

• The word autonomy is not in the New Testament.

• Is this concept in the Bible?

Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 5 – Jesus has all authority and the church is subject to Him. Specifically, all members are subject to Christ, therefore all local churches are also subject to Christ. The church cannot be autonomous as relates to Christ.

The Herald of Truth was a work by multiple churches with a single church’s elders overseeing. This violated local church autonomy.

I Peter 5:1-3

One church is not to oversee any function of another local church. Each local church is to be self-governing.

Autonomy is lost when multiple churches send money to another church to do a work.

Philippians 4:15-16 – Money was sent directly to the preacher (Paul, in this case).

I Corinthians 16:1-4

I Corinthians 4:4-5

Acts 14:23