WORKBOOK: WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST


Lesson 5

Assignment:   Read section VII, pages 38-44. Answer the following questions.

    THE UNDENOMINATIONAL NATURE OF THE CHURCH-ITS ORGANIZATION

  1. Do you think it is right for the church to be divided into "parishes" or "provinces", etc., and be governed by "synods," "councils," "conferences," and "general assemblies?"     YES     NO


  2. Do men, or groups of men, have any right to make "church laws?"     YES     NO


  3. Is the church a monarchy or democracy, which?



  4. Who has complete rule and authority ove the church? Give Scripture with your answer.




  5. Does the church of the New Testament have an earthly head or earthly head quarters?     YES     NO


  6. What group of men had heaven-given authority over the church we read about in the New Testament?




  7. What assurance do we have that what they taught was altogether true? Give Scripture to back up your answer.




  8. Has such authority been given to a man or group of men since?     YES     NO


  9. Please explain in a sentence or two what is meant by "autonomy" of the local church?




  10. On page 41 one will find a list of thirteen duties of elders. List these and give the Scripture from which each is taken.



























  11. On page 42 you will find a list of the qualifications of elders taken from I Timothy 3, and Titus 1. Read these two passages of Scripture that give the qualifications of elders. Make a list of the positive characteristics, the things he must do. Then list the negative characteristics, the things he must not do.














  12. On pages 42 and 43 you will find a list of the congregation's obligations to the elders. List these and give the Scriptures from which each is taken.














  13. Do you think an elder has the right, or obligation, to know how you conduct your personal life and family life?     YES     NO


  14. Do you think an elder has the right, or obligation, to know how much money you give to the church?     YES     NO


    15. NOTE:   Before answering questions 13, 14, and 15, consider whether or not these areas, or activities, affect your soul and its salvation. Then read Hebrews 13.17 about their obligations to "watch for your souls." Here is a broad area for thought and discussion.

  15. Is the elder's work solely in the spiritual matters and the deacon's solely in physical matters?     YES     NO


  16. Can you give Scriptural examples of cases where the deacons worked in spiritual matters and the elders were concerned with financial matters.




  17. List the qualifications of a deacon.












  18. Since elders obviously cannot change in any way the basic doctrine of the New Testament, or the structure and mission of the church, it would appear that their responsibility is to be thoroughly grounded in pure doctrine, see that the people under their care are wll taught in the Scripture and protected from false teaching, and see that those under their charge lead lives in obedience to New Testament principles.

    But there are some areas of expediency in which elders must make the final decision. Think about it, and make a list of areas in which you feel the elders have the right, or the obligation, to make an authoritative decision.












  19. When the elders make such a decision, do you feel that it is as authoritative as heaven's order itself?     YES     NO




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