Author: A Cameron

The organizational structure of the church is very simple in the New Testament.  Jesus is the Head of the church.  To the church at Colossae, Paul wrote:  “And he is the head of the body, the church…”  It does not get any easier than that.  It is Jesus who controls the body.  It is He who has ultimate authority over the precious church for which He shed His blood (Acts 20:28).

            The universal church is divided into congregations that can be found in various locales.  In the New Testament we read of numerous local churches.  The first church to be established was the church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:41, 47).  In Acts 9:31, we read about churches found in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria.  We read about more churches scattered throughout Syria and Cilicia in Acts 15:41.  The Revelation was written to the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 1:4).  Jesus was the Head over all of these churches.  He ruled over them through His divine revelation found in the New Testament.

            The local congregations of the first century were autonomous units, meaning that each was self-governing.  There were no boards, associations, or conferences that oversaw the local congregations.  In order for these churches to be effective, God chose to place an eldership in each congregation.  As Paul was revisiting the churches he established on his first missionary journey, Luke tells us that he “ordained them elders in every church” (Acts 14:23).  This group of men is known by six different titles:  elders, presbyters, bishops, overseers, pastors, and shepherds.  Those who hold the office of an elder must meet the qualifications found in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.  It is these men who rule (I Tim. 5:17) and oversee (I Pet. 5:1-3) the affairs of the local congregation.  The writer of Hebrews exhorted his readers to “obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves” (Heb. 13:17).  The New Testament always indicates that there was a plurality of men who occupied the position of elders (Acts 11:30; 20:17; Phil. 1:1).  We never read of a church having one man who ruled over its affairs.  The Bible nowhere authorizes for there to be one pastor, one priest, or one bishop who is in charge of a local church.

            During the history of the church, men began to change the organizational structure of the church.  Paul had warned the elders of Ephesus that apostasy would come.  He even told those them that some of them would be responsible for the departures.  “For I know this,” he said, “That after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your ownselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30, emp. mine, vme).  The changes began very subtly.  The elders started by appointing a chairman to oversee the business meetings of the elders.  It is easy to understand that men with strong personalities could occupy these positions on a constant basis.  Too, their stubborn natures made it easy for them to control those who were weaker members of the eldership.  Whatever these men desired, the rest of the eldership accepted.  Eventually, the weak members were not needed.  One man became the authority over the entire church.  He was often referred to as “the bishop” of the church.  In time, this departure led to the development of a complex hierarchal structure within the church.  The structure resembled the structure found within the Roman government.  The man at the top within the church was not called Cesar, however.  He was referred to by the title of Pope.  When this happened, the church had completely apostatized from the original, God-given pattern of church organization.

            The word “pope” comes from the Greek term “pappaas,” and means “father.”  At one time, all bishops used the title because they were all considered fathers.  It is difficult to determine which pope was the first to apply the term to himself.  By the eleventh century, the title of pope was firmly in place for the Bishop of Rome.  This title flies in the face of the words of our precious Savior recorded in Matthew 23:9.  “And call no man your father upon the earth:  for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”  In the context, Jesus is specially referring to titles worn by men to exalt them over others.

            The office of the pope is referred to as “the papacy.”  Where the pope sits in a position of authority is called the Dioceses of Rome, the Holy See, and the Apostolic See.  The pope is the head-of-state over the Vatican City, a sovereign city-state enclaved within the city of Rome, Italy.  The pope is known by many other names:  Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the Vatican City State, Servant of the servants of God, Holy Father, Blessed Father, the Apostolic Lord, and His Holiness.

            We will be looking at this papacy in some detail in our upcoming articles.  The papacy is a radical departure from the simplicity of the New Testament pattern.  It appears to be the fulfillment of Paul’s words found in II Thessalonians 2:1-4.  Paul’s words had reference to “a falling away” that was going to occur.  Let’s set the words before you.  Please give special attention to verse four of the text.  “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together with him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter from us, as that the day of the Lord is at hand.  Let no man deceive you by any means:  for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”   

  Is it possible to “put on a show” when it comes to the practice of one’s faith?  Is it possible to do the right things for the wrong reasons?  Is it possible to appear to be something on the outside that one is not on the inside?  The answer to all of these questions is a powerful:  “Yes.” 

          The religious leaders of Jesus’ day could have been classified as awarding-winning actors.  They dressed the part.  They played the part.  They received the praise and adoration of their audiences.  They often grew wealthy in the process.  Jesus, however, was not impressed with their acting abilities.  He often called them out for their hypocrisy.  It is interesting that the word “hypocrite” is defined as “a stage player.”  An actor is one individual as he performs for the public.  He is another individual when not on stage.  The same was true of the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day.  They were one thing on the outside.  They were something completely different on the inside. 

          In Matthew 6:1-8, the Savior confronts some of the practices of the Jewish leaders.  He notes that the things they were doing were done to be seen of men.  They were done to impress men.  They were done to receive the accolades of men.  They were done to be held in honor of man.  Jesus’ conclusion with regard to their behaviors was that they had their reward.  Their reward was earthly and carnal.  Their reward was from mortal men.  Their reward would only benefit them in the here and now.  Let’s look at the actions of these man and give heed to the counsel of the Master Teacher.

          Jesus begins with a WEIGHTY WARNING.  “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them:  otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 6:1).  The words “take heed” mean “to hold the mind to, to pay attention to, to be cautious” (Strong, e-sword).  Jesus told His audience to pay attention to their motives when they did their alms.  Alms were acts of charity or benevolence.  If a person gave to be seen of men, he could expect no reward from his heavenly Father.

          After His warning, He exposed the WRONG WAYS of the Jewish leaders.  The Lord set three examples before His listeners.  First, He talked about their “Benevolence to Others” in Matthew 6:2-4.  When the scribes and Pharisees did their alms, it involves a “public presentation.”  “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.  Verily I say unto you, They have their reward”  (Matt. 6:2).  Can you imagine hearing the sound of a trumpet and turning to see a religious leader making a public display of charity on a street corner?  What if you heard the trumpet again and turned to see the leader assisting someone else along the street?  It is hard to imagine, but this was the practice of some of the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day.  They wanted all to see their charity and benevolence.  Jesus declared:  “They have their reward.”   

          Instead of these public presentations, Jesus admonished His disciples to engage in a “private practice” of almsgiving.  “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:  that thine alms by be seen in secret:  and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly” (Matt. 6:3-4).  Doing things in secret has a completely different reward from a completely different source.  The reward is not earthly; it is heavenly.  It does not come from men, but from one’s omniscient Father in heaven.

          Second, Jesus illustrated His point through “Bowing in Prayer” (Matt. 6:5-6).  He began this section with “presumptuous prayers” offered by the hypocrites.  “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:  for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.  Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matt. 6:5).  These men loved to stand in very open places when they prayed.  They wanted all to know that they were men who were given to prayer.  They were the prayer warriors of the day.  They were seen by others, but, as Jesus concludes, “They have their reward. 

          Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray “private prayers” instead of the pompous prayers of the religious leaders.  These, he said, would bring a reward from their heavenly Father.  “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matt. 5:6).

          Third, Jesus notes the “Babbling in Prayer” by the heathen.  They involved themselves in “pretentious prose.”  “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do…” (Matt. 6:7a).  These men prayed the same phrases over and over and over.  Their prayers were not concluded in a minute or two.  Their “vain repetitions” enabled them to pray for long periods of time.  These individuals had a “proud purpose” to their babblings.  “…for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matt. 6:7b).  The ones they hoped were hearing were men.  Note, God could have heard them without their uttering a single word.  Again, they had their reward.

          Jesus, issued a “pithy prohibition” to His followers in this section.  He said:  “Be not therefore like unto them…” (Matt. 6:8a).  God did not want proud people who longed to be heard by others for their long prayers coming before His throne.  Brief, sincere requests would have been enough.  Why no more?  Because our Father has “precise prescience.”  “…for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matt. 6:8b). 

          Christian living was not designed to “make a show” before men.  Much of what we do for the Lord can be done in secret.  There will be no fanfare.  There will be little applause.  There will be few “thank you’s.”  This, however, is not what the faithful disciple is seeking.  He seeks to please the Father.  When He carries out his responsibilities responsibly and quietly, the Father in heaven notices.  When the Day of Judgment comes, this diligent, faithful servant will be rewarded openly by God. 

          Dear reader, which do you desire?  A reward that comes from the praise of men?  Or, a reward that springs from the a faithful God who has promised to reward those who conduct their lives honestly, faithfully, and quietly while serving in this world.  Please remember that the praise of men is temporal.  The rewards of our loving Father, on the other hand, are eternal.

Almost everyone is familiar the Bible story known as “Noah’s Ark.”  A faithful man of God was commanded by God to build an ark because God was going to destroy the world with a flood.  The ark was built of gopher wood.  Noah’s family and many pairs of animals, both clean and unclean, were in the ark during the flood.  Because of Noah’s obedience, humanity was spared and could begin anew.

            When we study the flood, most of the time we pay close attention to those who were in the ark.  But, we do not always consider the fact that there were a lot of things to be found on the outside of the ark.  In this article, we want to look at some of those things.  First, the lost were on the outside of the ark.  This group was definitely in the majority.  They are described in several verses in the account of the flood.  Genesis 6:5 tells us:  “And God saw the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”  Genesis 6:11 continues the description:  “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”  These individuals were warned repeatedly by Noah about the coming flood (I Pet. 2:5), but they refused his message.  When the door of the ark was closed, they were on the outside.  One word that could be used to describe them is “lost.”

            Another element that was on the outside of the ark was the wrath of God.  God was very unhappy with mankind.  Genesis 6:6 tells us:  “And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”  God was deeply upset and angered.  “And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and creeping thing, and fowls of the air:  for it repenteth me that I have made them” (Gen. 6:7).  His wrath was poured out upon the earth in the form of a flood.  “In the sixth hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.  And the rain was upon the earth forty day and forty nights” (Gen. 7:11-12).  God’s wrath is serious, severe, and strong.  The writer of Hebrews tells us:  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). 

            A third element that was found outside the ark was comprehension.  Those who rejected the preaching of Noah, did not fully comprehend the message Noah had proclaimed to them.  He told them a flood was coming.  He told them that safety could only be found in the ark.  None but his family gave heed to the message.  When the rain started and the fountains of the deep were broken up, the masses, then, comprehended his words.  Sadly, it was too late at that point in time.  As the waters rose, mankind was awakened to the God of heaven, to the severity of sin, and to the ramifications of their stubborn hearts.  Again, at that point in time, it was too late.

            Regret was another element that was found on the outside of the ark.  Regret is defined as “sorrow, remorse, and disappointment.”  Can you imagine the regret that was felt as the rain persisted day after day?  Can you imagine the regret that was felt as Noah’s ark was lifted from earth?  Can you imagine the regret as the land disappeared beneath the waters?  Can you imagine the regret as families suffered fear, desperation, and death?  Can you imagine the regret of the people who could have been in the ark with Noah and his family? 

            Closely associated with the regret on the outside of the ark was also the sense of hopelessness experienced by the people.  Homes were destroyed.  Animals perished in the flood waters.  Family members were swept away from their loved ones.  Some may have pounded upon the sides of the ark, but the ark was sealed shut.  There were no more warnings.  There was no more access to safety.  There were no more opportunities to choose.  Dear readers, when the door was shut and the rains began, all hope was gone.  Men, women, and children fled and wept in bitter hopelessness.

            A final element found on the outside of the ark was death.  “And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:  all in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.  And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven:  and they were destroyed from the earth…” (Gen. 7:21-23).  Not one thing in whose nostrils was the breath of life lived outside the ark.  After the rain ceased, there must have been an eerie silence that filled the earth.  No birds were chirping.  No dogs were barking.  There were no sounds can came from the cows, the horses, the pigs, the sheep, the goats, the ducks, or the chickens.  Not one human voice could be heard uttering one syllable.  Death had taken them all.

            That which we see on the outside of the ark is horrific.  Mankind was suffering the fate of his own making and his own choosing.  Jesus took this event in Matthew 24:36-39 and compared it to another day that is yet to come.  Listen to His words:  “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”  Regrettably, man today is similar to mankind in Noah’s day.  Man is living in sin.  He will not heed the warnings of God’s preachers.  He refuses to enter into the church, that is, the ark of God’s safety today.  He just continues about his life as if God either does not exist, or, is not serious.  When the heaven opens, and the trumpet sounds, and the archangel shouts, and the Lord appears, things on the outside of the church will be similar to the things on the outside of the ark.  But then, it will be too late, just as it was in the days of Noah.