CONGREGATIONALISM

1. CONGREGATIONALISM THE HISTORICAL AND NEW TESTAMENT BASIS FOR INDEPENDENT LOCAL CHURCHES

2. RESTORING NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES: THREE ASSUMPTIONS PROPOSITION 1: REGARDING APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking assumes that the Apostles were given specific authority to define doctrine and set in order churches. This authority was perpetuated in the inspired writings of the New Testament. PROPOSITION 2: REGARDING COMMON SENSE HERMENEUTICS Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking assumes that human beings, through the use of a common sense possessed by all, have the ability to read texts and reach common conclusions about meanings. This empirical, logical type of thinking is the basis for all public (as opposed to private and subjective) human understanding. PROPOSITION 3: REGARDING LOCAL CHURCHES (CONGREGATIONALISM) Restorationist, primitivist religious thinking assumes that the practices of local churches in New Testament days rested on apostolic authority and that the ordering of churches was intentionally designed by God to promote uniformity (catholicity) among Christians.

3. Testing the Validity of Pattern Thinking: A New Testament Church 1. An organization—Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; I Tim. 3: 1ff; Titus 1:5ff. 2. An Assembly—Heb. 10:25; I Cor. 11:15 3. Taught—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 14:15 4. Prayed—Acts 12:5; I Cor. 14:19 5. Sang—Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16 6. Lord’s Supper on 1st Day—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:20 • Gave on 1st Day—I Cor. 16:1,2; Acts 2:44-45 • Treasury—Acts 5:1-4 • Relieved Needy Saints—Acts 4:34-35; 11:29-30; I Cor. 16:1 • Supported Preaching—II Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-16 11. Discipline Unruly Members—I Cor. 5:1-5

4. A STRATEGY FOR UNITY • 1. Jesus prayed for unity among his disciples so that His message would not be hindered: • John 17:23 I am in them, and you are in me. May they be completely one, so that the world may know that you sent me and that you have loved them as you loved me. (ISV)

5. A STRATEGY FOR UNITY • 2. Unity was commanded. • 1 Corinthians 1:10 But I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

6. CHURCHES LOOKED ALIKE • 3. New Testament churches looked alike. • 1 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (13) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (14) For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

7. CORINTHIAN 0RDERING 4. Uniformity a repetitious theme in Corinthians. I Cor. 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. I Cor. 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. I Cor. 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. I Cor. 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

8. THE “ORDERING” OF CHURCHES • 5. Timothy and Titus were to set churches in order. • 1 Timothy 3:14-15 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: (15) But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. • Titus 1:2-5 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (3) But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; (4) To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. (5) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

9. HISTORICAL UNIFORMITY OF THE CHURCH • 6. Early Christians assumed uniformity in a catholic church. • I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.  And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN. • Apostles Creed (2nd century)

10. GRASPING THE GRANDEUR OF THE CHURCH • Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (23) Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. THE CHURCH IN EPHESIANS

11. GRASPING THE GRANDEUR OF THE CHURCH • Ephesians 3:9-11. 21 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (10) To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: . . .(21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. THE TOTALITY OF GOD’S WISDOM

12. GRASPING THE GRANDEUR OF THE CHURCH • Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD

13. GRASPING THE GRANDEUR OF THE CHURCH • Ephesians 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. A GLORIOUS FUNCTIONING UNIT

14. GRASPING THE GRANDEUR OF THE CHURCH • Ephesians 5:23-26 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, THE COLLECTION OF THOSE WHO ARE SAVED

15. GRASPING THE GRANDEUR OF THE CHURCH • Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. COLOSSIANS

16. GRASPING THE GRANDEUR OF THE CHURCH • 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 PETER

17. GRASPING THE GRANDEUR OF THE CHURCH • Hebrews 12:18-29 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, . . . (22) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (23) To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (24) And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (25) See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (26) Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. (27) And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (28) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (29) For our God is a consuming fire. HEBREWS

18. “INTENTIONALITY” OF GOD’S PLAN • Hebrews 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. • Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

19. “INTENTIONALITY” OF GOD’S PLAN • Acts 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. THUS . . . EXCLUSION OF ALL THINGS NOT AUTHORIZED BY GOD

20. “INTENTIONALITY” OF GOD’S PLAN • Hebrews 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. THUS . . . EXCLUSION OF ALL THINGS NOT AUTHORIZED BY GOD

21. CONGREGATIONALISM IN HISTORY • Is this focus a distortion of God’s intent? 2. Modern interest in non-denominational independence • 3. Central concern of the Reformation--Names • Alternates: Episcopacy—Apostolic Succession; • Presbyterianism—Calvin’s Christian Commonwealth; • Congregationalism, Independency, Separatism 4. Most important principle in American religious history—the “New England Way”—separated churches and moral nation. Unto a Good Land

22. Salem Covenant of 1629 • We covenant with the Lord and one with another and doe bynd our selves in the presence of God, to walke together in all his waies, according as he is pleased to reveal himself unto us in his blessed word of truth.

23. The Watertown CovenantJuly 30, 1630 • For in the End of the Day, after the finishing of our Publick Duties, we do all, . . . Promise, and enter into a sure Covenant with the Lord our God, and before him with one another, by Oath and serious Protestation made, to renounce all Idolatry and Superstition, Will-Worship, all Humane Traditions and Inventions whatsoever, in the Worship of God; and forsaking all Evil Ways, do give ourselves wholly unto the Lord Jesus, to do him faithful Service, observing and keeping all his Statutes, Commands, and Ordinances, in all Matters concerning our Reformation; his Worship, Administrations, Ministry, and Government; and in the Carriage of our selves among our selves, and one another towards another, as he hath prescribed in his Holy Word. Further swearing to cleave unto that alone, and the true Sense and meaning thereof to the utmost of our Power, as unto the most clear Light and infallible Rule, and All-sufficient Canon, in all things that concern us in this our Way.

24. CAMBRIDGE PLATFORM OF 1649

25. CHAPTER I. Of the form of Church-Government; and that it is one, immutable, and prescribed in the Word of God.       Ecclesiasticall Polity or Church Government (1), or discipline is nothing els, but that Forme & order that is to be observed in the Church of Christ vpon earth, both for the Constitution of it, & all the Administrations that therein are to bee performed.       2 Church-Government is Considered in a double respect either in regard of the parts of Government themselves, or necessary Circumstances thereof. The parts of Government are prescribed in the word, (2) because the Lord Iesus Christ the King and Law-giver of his Church, is no less faithfull in the house of God then was Moses, (3)who from the Lord delivered a form & pattern (4) of Government to the Children of Israel in the old Testament: And the holy Scriptures are now also soe perfect, as they are able to make the man of God perfect & thorough-ly furnished vnto euery good work; and therefore doubtless; to the well ordering of the house of God.       3 The partes of Church-Government are all of them exactly described in the word of God (5) being parts or means of Instituted worship according to the second Commandement: & therefore to continue one & the same, vnto the apearing of our Lord Iesus Christ as a kingdom that cannot be shaken, untill hee shall deliver it up unto God, enen the Father. Soe that it is not left in the power of men, (6) officers, Churches, or any state in the world to add, or diminish, or alter any thing in the least measure therein.       4 The necessary circumstances, (7) as time & place &c belonging unto order and decency, are not soe left unto men as that under pretence (8) [2] of them, they may thrust their own Inventions vpon the Churches: Being Circumscribed in the word with many Generall limitations; where they are determined in respect of the matter to be neither worship it self, (9) nor Circumstances seperable from worship: in respect of their end, they must be done vnto edification: in respect of the manner, decently, and in order, according to the nature of the things them selves, & Civill, & Church Custom. (10) doth not euen nature it selfe teach you ? yea they, are in some sort determined particularly, namely that they be done in such a manner, as all Circumstances considered, is most expedient for edification: so, as if there bee no errour of man concerning their determination, the determining of them is to be accounted as if it were divine. Notes 1. Ezek. 43, 11 Col 2, 5 I Tim. 3, 15 2. Hebr 3, 5, 6 3. Exod 25 40 4. 2 Tim 3 16 5. I Tim 3 15 I Chron 15 13 Ex 20 4 I im 6 13 v 16 Heb 12 27 28 I Cor, 15 22 6. Deut 12 32. Ezek 43 8. I Kings 12. 31 32 33 7. I Kings 12 v: 28 29 Isai 29 13. 8. Col 2 22 23 Acts 15 28 9. Matt 15 9 I Cor 11 23 c 8 34. 10. I Cor 14 26 I Cor 14 40 I Cor 11 14 I Cor 11 16 I Cor 14 12 19 Acts 15 28.

26. Chapter 1 •       Ecclesiasticall Polity or Church Government, or discipline is nothing els, but that Forme & order that is to be observed in the Church of Christ vpon earth, both for the Constitution of it, & all the Administrations that therein are to bee performed.

27. Chapter 1 • 5 The state the members of the militant visible church walking in order, was either before the law, Oeconomical, that is in families [patriarchal]; or under the law, National: or, since the comming of Christ, only congregational:. (The term Independent, wee approve not :) Therfore neither national, provincial, nor classical.       6 A Congregational-church, is by the institution of Christ a part of the Militant-visible-church, consisting of a company of Saints by calling, united into one body, by a holy covenant, for the publick worship of God, & the mutuall edification one of another, in the Fellowship of the Lord Iesus.

28. What is a Church of Christ?—Good Question • I Cor. 4:17For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. • I Cor. 7:17But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. • I Cor. 11:16But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. • I Cor. 16:1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

29. Testing the Validity of Pattern Thinking: A New Testament Church 1. An organization—Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; I Tim. 3: 1ff; Titus 1:5ff. 2. An Assembly—Heb. 10:25; I Cor. 11:15 3. Taught—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 14:15 4. Prayed—Acts 12:5; I Cor. 14:19 5. Sang—Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16 6. Lord’s Supper on 1st Day—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:20 • Gave on 1st Day—I Cor. 16:1,2; Acts 2:44-45 • Treasury—Acts 5:1-4 • Relieved Needy Saints—Acts 4:34-35; 11:29-30; I Cor. 16:1 • Supported Preaching—II Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-16 11. Discipline Unruly Members—I Cor. 5:1-5

30. THE LIMITATIONS AND BOUNDARIES OF APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY 1. An organization—Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; I Tim. 3: 1ff; Titus 1:5ff. 2. An Assembly—Heb. 10:25; I Cor. 11:15 3. Taught—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 14:15 4. Prayed—Acts 12:5; I Cor. 14:19 5. Sang—Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16 6. Lord’s Supper on 1st Day—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:20 • Gave on 1st Day—I Cor. 16:1,2; Acts 2:44-45 • Treasury—Acts 5:1-4 • Relieved Needy Saints—Acts 4:34-35; 11:29-30; I Cor. 16:1 • Supported Preaching—II Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-16 11. Discipline Unruly Members—I Cor. 5:1-5

31. Singing • Eph. 5:19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. . . • Col. 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

32. Instrumental Music • THE VOICE OF VARIOUS RELIGIOUS SOURCES... • 1. CATHOLIC - "... the first Christians were of too spiritual a fibre to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompany the human voice." -- CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA • 2. GREEK ORTHODOX - "The execution of Byzantine church music by instruments, or even the accompaniment of sacred chanting by instruments was ruled out by the Eastern Fathers as being incompatible with the pure, solemn, spiritual character of the religion of Christ." -- Constantine Cavarnos, BYSANTINE SACRED MUSIC • 3. PRESBYTERIAN - "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to Him." - JOHN CALVIN, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, Vol. I, p. 539 • 4. METHODIST - "I have no objection to instruments of music, in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen." - JOHN WESLEY (founder) • 5. METHODIST - "Music as a science, I esteem and admire: but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of music; and here I register my protest against all such corruptions in the worship of the Author of Christianity." - ADAM CLARKE (commentator) • 6. LUTHERAN - "Martin Luther called the organ an 'ensign of Baal'." - MCCLINTOCK & STRONG'S ENCYCLOPEDIA • 7. BAPTIST - "I would as soon attempt to pray to God with machinery as to sing to Him with machinery." - CHARLES H. SPURGEON

33. SINGING IS INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC REALLY SUCH A BIG ISSUE? Should we divide churches just because of instrumental music? IT SEEMS PRETTY MINOR ME APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY IS A BIG ISSUE!!

34. THE LIMITATIONS OF AUTHORITY 1. An organization—Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; I Tim. 3: 1ff; Titus 1:5ff. 2. An Assembly—Heb. 10:25; I Cor. 11:15 3. Taught—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 14:15 4. Prayed—Acts 12:5; I Cor. 14:19 5. Sang—Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16 6. Lord’s Supper on 1st Day—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:20 • Gave on 1st Day—I Cor. 16:1,2; Acts 2:44-45 • Treasury—Acts 5:1-4 • Relieved Needy Saints—Acts 4:34-35; 11:29-30; I Cor. 16:1 • Supported Preaching—II Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-16 11. Discipline Unruly Members—I Cor. 5:1-5 THIS IS NOT THE ISSUE THAT DIVIDES

35. THE LIMITATIONS AND BOUNDARIES OF APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY THIS IS THE ISSUE THAT DIVIDES 1. An organization—Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; I Tim. 3: 1ff; Titus 1:5ff. 2. An Assembly—Heb. 10:25; I Cor. 11:15 3. Taught—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 14:15 4. Prayed—Acts 12:5; I Cor. 14:19 5. Sang—Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16 6. Lord’s Supper on 1st Day—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:20 • Gave on 1st Day—I Cor. 16:1,2; Acts 2:44-45 • Treasury—Acts 5:1-4 • Relieved Needy Saints—Acts 4:34-35; 11:29-30; I Cor. 16:1 • Supported Preaching—II Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-16 11. Discipline Unruly Members—I Cor. 5:1-5

36. LOOKING INSIDE THE BOX OF PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY Thomas Oden [Drew University], The Rebirth of Orthodoxy: Signs of New Life in Christianity (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 2003). • Oden notes a return to “classic Christianity” based on a willingness to “think with the early church about the sacred text” and a return to “Christian tradition as defined by the sacred texts of scripture, the ecumenical councils of the first five centuries, and the teachings of the ‘fathers of the first millennium.’”

37. THE BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL QUEST FOR AUTHORITY • 1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.