Lesson 30: Structure & Expansion of
the Church | Biblical Foundations for
Living
June 29, 2008 by FSSL Leave a Comment
Lesson 30: Structure and Expansion of
the Church
So far, we have learned that the first two objectives of the church are the
edification of the saved and the evangelization of the lost. Whereas edification
produces evangelism, evangelism requires expansion .
The following lessons do not use the word “expansion” to describe numerical
growth; that is accomplished through evangelism. Expansion refers to the
development of new ministries within the church and
the organization needed to carry them out. Sunday Schools, junior churches,
choirs, Vacation Bible Schools, and youth groups are examples of ministries
which may be started to meet congregational needs. Although not found in
Scripture, these ministries are legitimate in that they help local churches
accomplish the objectives of edification and evangelism.
[We must strive to make sure that everything we are doing fits into the
overall purpose and goals of the church. Whatever doesn’t fit should be
eliminated. Also, there’s a difference between extra-biblical things and
unbiblical things. E.g., Sunday school is extra-biblical, i.e., there is no direct
biblical support for it. Infant baptism is unbiblical, i.e., it goes against the
Bible.]
We can learn several principles of expansion from the early church:
1. Expansion requires fidelity . [loyalty, faithfulness]
2. Expansion requires planning .
3. Expansion requires creativity .
4. Expansion requires cooperation .
5. Expansion requires accountability .
I. Expansion Requires Fidelity.
The early church expanded in a way that was true to the Word of God.
A. The early church was true to the commands of the Word of God.
When the church began on the Day of Pentecost, there were no New
Testament Scriptures in existence to govern their ministry. The early believers
sought to consistently apply the teachings of Christ concerning the church.
Then, as God provided more revelation through the apostles, they faithfully
applied those truths as well.
1. They proclaimed a God given message .
The early church understood that a pure message was essential. The truths of
Scripture, with the person and work of Christ as the focal point, was the
message of the early church. Deviation from this was not tolerated.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we
preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! Galatians 1:8
2. They practiced God given methods .
Some methods used by the early church are universal , that is, they apply to all
churches of every era. These methods are standard, not only because the early
church practiced them (in the book of Acts), but also because they are
commanded in the Epistles . For example, the church is to authoritatively
proclaim the truth (2 Timothy 4:2), organize converts into local assemblies (see
Lesson Twenty Nine), and discipline its members (1 Corinthians 5).
[It is sometimes difficult to tell whether a certain practice was universal or
temporary. A passage may be descriptive or normative. For example, we say
that tongues was a temporary sign-gift. Others claim speaking in tongues
was normal and that the church should do it today.]
B. The early church was true to the principles of the Word of God.
There were times when the early church encountered situations that were not
directly addressed in Scripture. If there was no specific command concerning a
particular issue, they dealt with it in a manner consistent with the truth that
they already knew. For example, a controversy arose in Acts 6concerning the
care of widows. The apostles had no biblical instructions concerning this issue
at that time. Thus, they began with what they did know (their own
responsibilities) and devised a plan which was true to Scripture and met the
need at hand.
[This is exactly how many ministries start: someone senses a need and fills
it by applying biblical principles.]
II. Expansion Requires Planning.
Lesson Twenty Four pointed out that the organizational expansion of the early
church did not just happen. Rather, it was the result of careful planning. For
example, a controversy arose in Acts 15concerning saved Gentiles. The
problem had to do with the inclusion of Gentiles into the church along with
Jews. Should the Gentiles be required to obey the Law of Moses? Did they
have to be circumcised? After much debate, the issue was resolved, and a letter
was written to the Gentile churches explaining the resolution.
Another example is found in Acts 16:6-10, where Paul’s plans to go to Asia and
Bithynia were changed by the Holy Spirit. Paul apparently had a planned
itinerary for each of his missionary journeys.
A church properly expands as a result of careful planning, not haphazardly.
[Unless you’re involved in planning an event, you probably don’t realize
how much work goes into it. Even a morning service is planned out for
ahead of time. The point is that we should plan and organize, not “do
ministry” haphazardly.]
III. Expansion Requires Creativity.
The ministry of a church must respond to changes in society . In other words, a
church must apply the unchanging Word of God to an ever changing culture.
This means that as new needs and issues arise, local churches need to respond
with relevant and timely applications of eternal truth. Such creative expansion
prepares the way for further edification and evangelism, as the following two
examples show.
[Principles stay the same; methods may change. Evangelism is a universal
command. How we do it may vary depending on time, place, culture, etc.
This is why we should not be method-oriented.]
The distribution of the letter explaining the decisions of the Jerusalem Council
had the following effect:
As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles
and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the
faith and grew daily in numbers. Acts 16:4 5
The selection of the first deacons in Acts 6 had the same effect:
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and
a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7
[The problem here is determining how and if culture/society should change
how we do things. Some churches adapt their services totally to the popular
culture. They include rock or country music, skits, humor, short,
needs-centered messages, etc. As separatists, we want to speak to modern
man without advocating what we see as sinful elements of culture.]
IV. Expansion Requires Cooperation.
Churches often make the mistake of isolating themselves, even from other
congregations of like faith and practice. Isolationism is detrimental to the body
of Christ. Pastors and their congregations need the encouragement and
assistance of like minded churches.
The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 is a good example of cooperation between
local assemblies. Several congregations were represented at the Council.
Together, they discussed various options and decided on a biblical solution to
the problem.
Churches of like faith and practice can and should cooperate in a variety of
ways, such as:
A. Missions support
B. Educational institutions
C. Ordination councils [explain what an ordination is all about.]
D. Church planting
Many opportunities exist for cooperative efforts. Such cooperation is
especially beneficial when churches work together on projects that are beyond
their individual means.
[For example, churches may cooperate for evangelistic meetings or service
projects. But these churches would be of similar faith and practice. We are
against ecumenism, which is the cooperation of churches not of like faith
and/or practice.]
V. Expansion Requires Accountability.
Accountability is a crucial aspect of biblical ministry and functions on two
levels:
A. Accountability within the local church
As mentioned previously, expansion adds to the administrative structure of a
local church. Leaders within that structure (such as Sunday School teachers,
youth leaders, etc.) are accountable to the local church.
1. Leaders are accountable for what they teach .
If a leader willfully begins teaching something that is contrary to the church’s
published doctrinal statement, he should immediately be asked to resign.
2. Leaders are accountable for what they do .
If a leader willfully begins doing something that is contrary to the church’s
published standards of conduct for leadership, he should immediately be
asked to resign.
[Most churches have a higher set of standards for leaders.]
B. Accountability between local churches
Accountability is a valuable benefit of cooperation between churches. Every
ministry occasionally needs to have its weaknesses identified
and priorities clarified through interaction with other churches.
Note: Because every church is independent, accountability between churches
is voluntary .
[Often such accountability takes the form of an association or fellowship
organization. These often become more of a liability than a benefit. Part of
the problem with various parachurch organizations is that they have no or
little accountability outside the organization. This is one reason we insist
that ministry should be done under the auspices of a church.]