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.  

Since the dawn of time, there have been many great kingdoms that have risen upon the world stage.  In the days of Moses, Egypt was the envy of the world.  Babylon was a powerful kingdom in the days of Daniel.  While Jesus walked the earth, Rome was the world power.  Today, kingdoms like China, Russia, and the United States are viewed as leading nations of the world.

            In Daniel 2:44, the prophet predicted the coming of a kingdom.  It was not going to be just another great power.  It would be the most magnificent kingdom ever.  “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:  and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”  This kingdom that Daniel saw long before it came into being was the kingdom of God.  Again, this would be the most magnificent kingdom ever.  There are many reasons why it can be described as “the most magnificent.”

            First, it is the most magnificent because of the King who rules over it.  Its King is Jesus Christ the Son of God.  Jesus is not just “another” king.  He is “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (I Tim. 6:15).  Sadly, there are some who do not believe that Jesus is ruling over His kingdom at this present time.  Paul, however, refutes this false belief.  In I Corinthians 15:25-26, he writes:  “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”  Jesus will reign over His kingdom till death is conquered by means of the resurrection of the dead. 

            Second, the kingdom of God is the most magnificent kingdom because it is a spiritual kingdom, not a physical kingdom.  Jesus spoke of His kingdom in John 18:36 while in conversation with Pontius Pilate.  He said:  “My kingdom is not of this world:  if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews:  but now is my kingdom not from hence.”  Jesus NEVER intended to establish a physical kingdom on earth.  He intended to build a spiritual kingdom, a kingdom that involves the hearts and minds of men and women.  Listen again to the words of the Christ.  “…The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  neither shall they say, Lo here!  Or, lo there!  For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21).  The kingdom of Christ is not limited to a certain parcel of land.  The kingdom of Christ operates all over the world.  It is on all seven continents.  It can encompass the world because it is spiritual and not physical in nature.

            Third, the kingdom of God is magnificent because of its mission.  Physical kingdoms usually have two goals in mind:  power and the acquisition of more territory over which to rule.  The goal of the kingdom of God is vastly different.  It has salvation from sin and freedom from the enslavement of Satan as its mission.  The battle is against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12).  The battle is for the souls of lost men and women.  The blood of Christ and the truth of the gospel are the forces used against the enemy.  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death” (Rev. 12:11).

            Fourth, the kingdom of heaven is great because it invites all men and women to become citizens of it.  Isaiah saw this kingdom long before it came into existence as well.  In Isaiah 2:2-3, he describes the great influx that will come into the kingdom.  “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths:  for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”  Isaiah said:  “All nations shall flow unto it.”  He also said:  “Many people shall go and say, Come ye, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.”  When this kingdom was brought into existence on Pentecost Day in the city of Jerusalem, Isaiah’s prophecy rang true.  Thousands and thousands of people obeyed the gospel and were cleansed by the blood of Christ.  In Acts 10, the Gentiles began to enter the kingdom.  Great multitudes were translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col. 1:13).  Today, any accountable individual can enter the kingdom.  The only condition to enter therein is the new birth.  “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, 5).

            Fifth, the kingdom of Christ is magnificent because it will last forever.  Physical kingdoms have come and gone.  Egypt is no longer a world power.  Babylon eventually came tumbling down.  Rome no longer dominates the world.  The old Soviet Union crumbled in defeat.  This will never happen to the kingdom of Christ.  It is a kingdom that will stand forever.  Jesus said that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18).  When all of the kingdoms of this world are gone when the heavens and earth perish with fire when the Lord returns, the kingdom of Christ will remain.  All those who are members of it will be ushered into heavenly realms wherein they will dwell throughout eternity.

            The kingdom of Christ is a magnificent kingdom.  In fact, it is the most magnificent kingdom ever.  If you are a member of this kingdom, you should count yourself as most fortunate.  You should express your gratitude by living as a faithful citizen of the kingdom of God every day of your life.  If you are not a member of the Lord’s kingdom, you need to become serious about becoming a citizen.  If you will submit to the demands of the Spirit of God found in the New Testament and be immersed in water for the remission of your sins, you will be “added” (Acts 2:47), “set” (I Cor. 12:18), and “translated” (Col. 1:18) into the magnificent kingdom of God.  You will be saved from sin and free from the tyranny of the evil one.  Heaven will be your ultimate hope. 

The Restoration Movement of the 1800s grew out of disgust for religious division and a love for the truth of the gospel of Christ.  Men longed for the day when all would wear the name “Christian” only and pledge allegiance to the New Testament as the sole standard of faith and practice.  They yearned for the time when individuals would unite in one body, the precious church of Jesus Christ.

            From this movement many slogans came forth.  The slogans were designed to implant crucial truths into the hearts of the listeners.  “Speak where the Bible speaks, and remain silent where the Bible is silent” was one of these slogans.  This was an amplification of Peter’s words found in I Peter 4:11.  “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.”  Another slogan was:  “Let’s call Bible things by Bible names, and let’s do Bible things in Bible ways.”

            One of the most popular slogans of the Restoration Movement was:

                                    In matters of doctrine, unity.

                                    In matters of opinion, liberty.

                                    In all things, love.

The preachers of the Restoration Movement recognized two major areas, doctrine and opinion.  Doctrine involves the teachings of the New Testament.  Paul wrote:  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine…” (II Tim. 3:16-17).  Doctrine cannot be compromised.  It must be adhered to at all times.  If all would commit to this teaching, unity would prevail.  Note:  It is wrong to transform the teachings of the gospel into matters of opinion.  When individuals want to change the doctrine of Christ, they are to be met with opposition (1 Tim. 1:3-5).  If they refuse to adhere to the truth of God’s Word, they are to be marked and avoided.  “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them” (Rom. 16:17).

            However, the leaders of the Restoration Movement realized that matters of opinion exist as well.  In these, they asked for liberty.  The practice of circumcision was a matter of opinion/option in the New Testament church.  “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation” (Gal. 6:15).  It is interesting to study the fact that Paul had Timothy circumcised, but he did not have Titus circumcised.  The eating of meats was also a matter of opinion in the first century.  “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse” (I Cor. 8:8).  Again, these matters were optional.  In these things, liberty needed to prevail.

It was wrong to make matters of option matters of doctrine.  Some did this in the first century.  Paul declared that those who bound where God has not bound had departed from the faith.  “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:  for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer”(I Tim. 4:1-5). 

            The last section of the slogan under consideration is:  “In all things, love.”  This love is one that seeks the best interest of another.  I Corinthians 13:1-3 reveals the importance of love.  Without it, nothing else matters.  “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and have all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

            In doctrine, unity.  In option, liberty.  In all things, love.  This plea is just as valid today as it was when it was first penned.  May every member of the body of Christ give diligence to distinguish between doctrine and opinion.  In doctrine, let us hold fast thereunto with unity in mind.  In option, let’s grant liberty to our brethren.  Then, let’s allow love to prevail in all things.