New Testament Local Church Polity: Congregational or Elders? Part One

Who actually makes decisions in the local church? The congregation or elders?  What does the New Testament actually say regarding this issue?  The question sounds simple enough but is actually harder to answer than one might think.

Here are some basic thoughts to consider on this issue:
1. What NT texts describe events occurring in the first century? (Descriptive or Normative texts--fancy words for what was going on in the first century context)
2. What NT texts actually prescribe to us what the church should actually do? (Maybe not a command as such but think along these lines)

(Oh, by the way have different positions don't agree on how to define numbers one and two above).

So with that in mind let's consider the actual NT biblical data.  This article will consider the standard texts used to defend congregational polity.  This basically means that the actual members of the church are making the decisions within the church.  We will consider the following texts: Mt 18, Acts 6, 13, 15; 1 Cor 5, 2 Thess 3, and lastly 1 Tim 5.  These will suffice for now in discussing one side of the issue.

Matthew 18:15-20 involves a context of disciplining a sinning brother "if thy brother" (v. 15).  The context includes three steps: first, confronting the person alone.  Second, confronting the person with someone else.  Third, our concern is that the last stage is to bring the issue before the church (v. 17).  So the last stage in the disciplining process is  bringing the issue before the congregation "the church."  The pronouns in the passage are 2nd person plural "you" not referring to individuals (steps one and two) but step three.  Nearly every book or journal on church discipline includes this passage.  This adds initial weight to the congregation making the final decision (here in the context of discipline).

Acts 6:1-7 includes the popularized texts for the selection of the first NT deacons (the verb form appears as "serve" in verse two).  The apostles have their given tasks.  The people are to select the people to fill this serving role (deacons) if necessary.  The plural noun "you" and "brethren" both refer to the congregation.  They chose seven men for this service.  Verse six does not specifically identify who "prayed" and "laid hands" on those selected.  Either way, the people did the selecting of the seven individuals.  If this passage is only normative, then all the later passages for elders (plural) are in jeopardy also.

Acts 13:1-5 includes the selection of Paul and Barnabas for missionary work (regularly identified as Paul's first missionary journey).  The two men are identified by the Holy Spirit (v. 2).  Someone prays and someone then lays hands on the two men before they depart.  If this parallels Acts 6 then perhaps the laying of hands (v. 3) was done by the people.  The plural verbs point to a corporate commissioning.  Strangely enough even the notes of the ESV Study Bible refer to the pronoun "they" as the "whole congregation."

Acts 15 addresses what is commonly called the Jerusalem Council.  This context involves both the congregation and leaders in tandem.  The church decides to sent representatives (v. 2).  Paul and Barnabas are then sent by the local church congregation (v.3).  These representative are then received by another local church congregation and their leaders (v. 4).  When the decisions are final addressed and discussed by both Peter and James it is agreed to by the congregation with representatives sent (vv. 22-23).  This passage adds weight even when doctrinal issues are stake the congregation is involved.  The decisions are not just dictated to them or their thoughts ignored.

In 1 Cor 5 church discipline is under ("if  any man that is called a brother," v. 11).  The pronouns are in the plural, which could be applied with some degree of consistency throughout commands in the epistles to local churches.  They have the obligation as a congregation (plural members) to remove the unrepentant sinning brother "put away" (v. 13).

2 Thess 3 also appears in the context of local church congregation discipline.  The pronouns here again appear in the plural "you."  The command is tough to obey, nevertheless it is addressed to the congregation not just the leaders "ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly" (v. 6).  The congregation has a responsibility to make the decision in confronting and removing a sinning church member.

Lastly, we shall consider 1 Timothy 5:19-20.  Great care is need in confronting the sinful choices of church "elders."  The pattern from Deut 19 "two or three witnesses" enforces that idea that mulitiple people will be need in sin confrontation (Note same pattern back in Matt 18).  Note the pattern that when "elders" sin (not just any church member) they are to be confronted "before all (v. 20).  Seems to identify the idea of congregational involvement.  I've seen this played out before in local churches when elders have to be confronted.  Note also  the motive "that others may fear."  Seems most natural to take the others as congregation members.  Interestingly here the ESV notes add the phrase "the rest of the elders" potentially making the connection with verse 17.  However, the notes state it could refer to "the rest of the congregation" with the phrase "before all.''  I would suggest the weight shifts toward the whole congregation with both phrases combined.

These texts are enough to at least identify congregational decision making within the local church or among the believers.  Part two will address the texts used by advocates of a plurality of laymen elders.

Hope this helps in this area.  This is only a collection of thoughts.  Definitely not a 30 page, footnoted research paper.  But in essence these texts have to be downplayed, ignored, or never taught to help establish a plurality of elders system within a local church context.  Even if you disagree with the congregational role then maybe you would at least acknowledge accountability is needed for leaders within a local church.
Till next time.