The Church: Organization of the Church
Bible study on the church: organization of the church.

Col. 1:18

Christ is the Head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23).

Eph. 4:11-12; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1, 8; Tit. 1:5; Heb. 5:12

Each church is autonomously organized with elders (also called pastors and bishops), deacons, evangelists, teachers, and members (saints).

Women are not authorized to teach or have authority over a man (1 Cor. 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:10-14). Therefore women cannot be preachers or teachers in the church when men are present.

The older women are responsible for admonishing the young women (Tit. 2:3-5).

1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9

Elders (also called pastors and bishops; Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; Phil. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:1) must meet specific qualifications.

Tit. 1:5

A plurality of elders must be appointed to rule over a congregation. They must meet specific qualifications before being appointed (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9).

Scripture does not authorize a church to be governed by a single elder (i.e., pastor, bishop).

1 Pet. 5:2

An elder's rule is limited to the flock of God which he is among (i.e., he may only rule over the local congregation of which he is a member); cf. Acts 11:30.

1 Tim. 5:17-19; Heb. 13:17

Christians must obey the elders that rule over them.

1 Tim. 3:8-13

Deacons must meet specific qualifications.

The Lord has not authorized any office of rule other than elder and deacon. Offices such as Pope, Cardinal, Priest, etc. and organization through conventions, diocese, etc. are man-made and heretical (cf. Matt. 23:8- 11; Col. 2:16-23).