The Church Part 11

K. With the bestowal of the office comes the right and responsibility to make specific requirements of a church. ROM 16:17; 1CO 5:11-13; 11:2; 14:40; 2CO 2:6-7; 1TI 1:3; 4:11; 5:7; 6:17; 2TI 2:14; 4:1-2. 1. A minister must command the keeping of apostolic order. 2TH 3:6-10. 2. An example of this is the command to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (HEB 10:25). Thus, a minister has the authority and duty to regulate and enforce this issue. L. The pastor may exercise his private judgment within the framework of the Scriptures. The Church 6-9-24 Page 22  1CO 7:25, 39-40 ct/w JAM 4:11. 1. The pastor sets the frequency of worship services, the Lord’s Table, Feetwashing. 2. The pastor determines what psalms, hymns or spiritual songs will be employed in the church service. 3. The pastor determines who may preach/teach the church in public gatherings. M. Consider these examples of church business where the church acts under the guidance of its ministry: 1. Selection of deacons. ACT 6:1-6. 2. Church discipline. 1CO 5:1-5, 13. 3. Restoration to fellowship. 2CO 2:6-8. 4. Management of finances. 1CO 16:1-3; 1TI 5:3-21. N. A faithful local pastor with the Scriptures (2TI 3:16-17) can do every work required of a minister. He can: 1. Learn and hold fast all necessary doctrine. 2TI 1:13; 2:15; TIT 1:9. 2. Teach all necessary doctrine. 1TI 3:2; 4:11-16. 3. Defend the doctrine. TIT 1:9-14. 4. Teach and ordain other elders. 2TI 2:2; TIT 1:5-9. 5. Evangelize. 2TI 4:5. 6. Plant churches. EPH 4:11-12 c/w 1CO 3:5-11. 7. Bring charges against an offender. 1CO 5:1-13; 1TI 6:3-5. 8. Perform/order the ordinances: baptism, communion, feetwashing. 9. Do all that is required of the Lord's ministers independent of any other church, arch-minister, arch-church, committee, synod, convention, etc. To his own Master he stands or falls. c/w ROM 14:4; 1PE 5:1-4. O. A faithful pastor leads justly in the fear of God. 2SAM 23:3. 1. He knows that the church is Christ’s, not his. 1PE 5:1-3. 2. He knows Jesus Christ will personally judge him. 1CO 9:16-17; JAM 3:1. 3. He knows his stewardship may be forfeited by sin. LUK 16:1-2; MAT 24:45-51; 1TI 3:2; 1CO 9:27. 4. He knows the church is empowered with the Scriptures to challenge him or even separate from him. ROM 16:17; TIT 3:10-11. P. A pastor is not above reproof or correction, but should nonetheless be very highly regarded and prayed for. 1TH 5:12-13; COL 4:3-4. The Church 6-9-24 Page 23