THE IMPORTANT OF POLITY IN THE CHURCH

TERM PAPER WRITTEN BY:

ADENIYI ISAIAH OLUWASEYI 09035

SUBMITTED TO:DR. REV. ASS PROF A.M AMADU

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS COURSE:ECWA

LITURGY

CODE: GNS123

ECWA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IBGAJA KWARA STATE

MARCH, 2023
 TABLE OF CONTYENT

INTRODUCTION.

THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH

ELDERS GOVERNOR

DEFINITION OF LOCAL CHURCH

CONCLUSION

BIBLOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION

There is a pressing need for the Church to look analytically at the internal structure of the

organization. This structure is called polity, a particular form or system of governing the church. How a

local church is internally structured has much to do with the effectiveness of ministry, particularly

reaching people who are not yet believers, and transforming them into fully devoted followers of Jesus

Christ. The Church is a living, spiritual entity, one described by the Apostle Paul as being like that of a

human body with many parts (see I Corinthians 12:12-27), and an essential element of the body of Christ

is her internal structure, or polity. It is interesting to note that the human body has an essential internal

structure, enabling it both to function and to grow—the skeletal system. The skeleton has primary

functions. For example, the skeleton provides the human body with shape, support, while the skeletal

joints enable the body to move. Further, the skeleton produces life-giving blood cells, while storing

necessary nutrients such as calcium. Without the human skeleton—an internal structure—it would be

impossible for our bodies to grow and function effectively. In the same manner of thought, an internal

structure (polity) is essential for the Church to expand and function effectively. 1

In Acts 2, we find the establishment, or beginning of the Lord's church, or kingdom. The apostles are in

Jerusalem. The Spirit is poured out upon them. Many nations are represented. They are gathered for

Pentecost. Peter and the apostles proclaim that this is the fulfillment of that which was spoken by the

prophet Joel. Christ has died. The last days have begun. Repentance and remission of sins are preached.

About 3000 souls believe the preaching of the Gospel and are baptized. The Lord adds them to His

church. Then from Jerusalem, the Gospel goes throughout Judea, then to Samaria, and finally, unto all

parts of the earth until every person under heaven had heard it (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts

1:8; Colossians 1:23).The church grew fast in the days of the apostles. It spread rapidly. 2

1F.L Bradenton. (Church polity). "Understanding elder governance" 2007 pg 2

In Acts 6:1-7, the first century church models for us the importance of internal structures. Faced with a

church growth problem, the early church did not ignore an internal issue. Instead, leadership addressed

the issue effectively.

Verse 1

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained

against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

Comments

“In those days” refers to the early church in her earliest beginnings. This could have been

in the first few months, or even the first few years, and the Church (i.e., number of converts) kept

growing numerically (present tense for “increasing”). Those growing numbers resulted in some growing

pains: Greek-speaking widows were being neglected when food was distributed to those in need. The

Hebrew-speaking widows were getting food, but not Greek-speaking widows, and this did not happen

only once or twice, but repeatedly (imperfect tense for “overlook”). This begs us to ask the question why

there were so many Greek-speaking widows in “First Christian Church of Jerusalem,” then the capital of

the Jewish homeland.3

elder governance

is a theory or an approach to leading the local congregation, making more effective the internal

structure of the church. When the polity of the local church is more effective, there is potential for the

church to be healthier—and a healthy church is a growing church. Elder governance embraces similar

3 Marty Chandler. Church Polity Understanding Elder Governance In the Local Church. (2018). Pg6
Dr. Jack L. Arno
principles of policy governance. For example, there is the principle of trust. The Apostle Paul wrote, “ it

is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). 4

DEFINITION OF A LOCAL CHURCH

A. Baptists And Independents: A group of professing Christians in a given locality who

have organized themselves for the purpose of doing the will of God.

B. Presbyterians: A number of professing Christians, with their children, associated together for divine

worship and godly living, agreeable to the Scriptures, and submitting to the lawful government of

Christ's Kingdom (Book O Church Order-4.1).

ENTRANCE INTO THE LOCAL CHURCH

A. Some Independents: Only a credible profession of faith in Christ. No more requirements to enter the

local church than the universal church.

B. Baptists: Belief in Christ and baptism by immersion. Some Baptists requirebaptism by immersion in

their particular Baptist church or denomination.

C. Presbyterians: A credible profession of faith in Christ, water baptism and atestimony before the

Elders.

D. POINTS TO PONDER

1. A church is not where two or three are gathered, but there must be organization with officers who

build the local church according to the Bible.

4 Dr. Jack L. ArnoldI."church polity" ( INTRODUCTION AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH)
2. A church is not a building but it is people. It is not a place where we go to be entertained but we go to

worship God and be equipped to do the ministry.

3. A church is not a social gathering of people like the Kiwanis Club but people gathered to do the will

and work of God under the Lordship of Christ. means "called out ones" (ek and kaleo). The word

"church" is used of the universal church (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18) and the local church (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Thes.

1:1). The local church as nearly as possible should be a reflection of the universal, church. While there is

no perfect local church, every church should be made up of true believers, especially if the congregation

votes on spiritual matters.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE LOCAL CHURCH

A. The organization of the early church had officers (elders and deacons) (Acts 14:23, Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim.

3:1-13). The organization was mainly patterned after the synagogue worship and developed in a gradual

manner. In Acts 6 servants, possibly deacons, were chosen and appointed to relieve the Apostles of

many duties. Acts 8:1 tells us that persecutions caused the Christians to leave Jerusalem and more

churches were needed in outlying areas. There arose, therefore, the need of elders (Acts 11:30).

B. At first the early church gathered daily (Acts 2:46) but apparently, as the church grew numerically and

spread through the Roman Empire, it became a practical necessity to meet at an appointed time Sunday,

the Lord's Day, the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Although we cannot definitely prove it, probably

most of the meetings were at night because the slaves and others had to work all day, for Sunday was

not a recognized holiday for either Jews or Romans.

C. The early church in Jerusalem met in the temple and in homes (Acts 2:46). We may conclude the early

church was not opposed to meeting in a building, but when persecution came they were forced out of
the temple and into homes. After this there is no mention of a church building for over 200 years.

Therefore, we may conclude that a building is nice but not necessary to a proper functioning of a local 5

Local Church Government -Christ and Delegated Authority

1.Christ is the Head of His Church.

a. He is building His church. (Matthew 16:18)He does this in many ways, but perhaps most importantly,

Christ uses our participation and obedient service to do this.

b. He has all authority! (Matthew 28:18) Christ is absolute in His authority. He will not be challenged and

requires our obedience. He is the Head of the church. (Ephesians 1:20-22; Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians

5:23) All church leadership must practice submission to Christ’s authority and fulfill His will in governing

the church to the best of their abilities.

2.Christ governs His church through delegated authority. Leadership in the church operates as His

divinely appointed spiritual authorities. It’s a heavy responsibility and cannot be taken lightly. The

church congregation is to respect spiritual authorities, who are doing their best to please and obey God. 6

CONCLUSION

5 Tom peter. Different forms of church government (founding pastor of trinity church international lake
worth).page 7
6 JamesR.WhitePerspectivesonChurchGovernment,ed.Brand,Chad;NormanStan(20040701),B&H
PubshngKindleEdition,261
Church polity serve as a guide to church to lead and have a standard doctrinal worship. The church must

have a standard policy to guide the church, if there is no existence of that the church will surely perish it

stand as a guide to different units in the church.

BIBLOGRAPHY
 F.L Bradenton. (Church Polity). "Understanding Elder Governance" 2007

Bible Correspondence Courses. The Church Of The Bible 1 (The Meaning Of The Church).

Marty Chandler. Church Polity Understanding Elder Governance In The Local Church. (2018).

Dr. Jack L. Arno

Dr. Jack L. Arnoldi."Church Polity" ( INTRODUCTION AND ORGANIZATIONAL

STRUCTURE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH)

Tom Peter. Different Forms Of Church Government (Founding Pastor Of Trinity Church International Lake

Worth).Page 7

Jamesr.Whiteperspectivesonchurchgovernment,Ed.Brand,Chad;Normanstan(20040701),B&H Pubshng Kindle

Edition,