AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

Introduction:
Many local churches are controlled to some degree by an ecclesiastical authority
outside the church. That authority may be a district superintendent, bishop,
synod or presbytery.
Perhaps many of you know that there are churches in various denominations that
are controlled by someone of higher rank and office in the organization. Those
who hold to these various forms of church government feel that it is the best way
to hand things, but the question that begs to be asked is this: Is this the Bible way
for church government? Is this the way the early church governed itself? If it is
not, then is there another way?
I. What Does Autonomy Of The Local Church Mean?
-The word "autonomy" means "self-governance" or "self-rule."
-An autonomous local church is a church free from all outside ecclesiastical
control.
-All human authority for the doctrine and practice of the local church resides
within the local church itself.
A church is said to be "autonomous" if it is self-ruling, which is the literal
meaning of the word. This means that it does not answer to another church
or organization for any of its decision. Obviously, the church is not entirely
autonomous because it answers to Jesus Christ who is its head (Ephesians
1:20-23 ). So, the refined questions that we must study is, "What does
the Bible teach about the earthly rule over a local church?" "Does it include
and allow denominational boards, conventions, etc.?"

-Autonomy of the local church does not mean that a church can do whatever
they want to.

-Each local church must recognize the absolute right of Christ to rule over every
detail of church life.
-Church elders must recognize all the time that the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of
the Church and of each local church.
-Sadly, in some Baptist churches this has been forgotten or set aside. The image
of the pastor is seen more than the image of Christ.
a.-In some churches there are pastors who say jump and everyone else jumps and
some even asks the pastor how far.
b.-Then you have churches where the deacons and people want to always tell the
pastor what to do, what to preach, and how to do his job.
-In both cases you might find people who have forgotten to look to the Lord, the
Head of the Church, for leadership.
-Both the leadership in the church and the congregation have the responsibility to
discern the direction in which Christ wants the church to go.
a. Ephesians 1:20-23
b. Colossians 1:18
Illustration: This picture of Christ as head of the Church is a very appropriate one.
Think of your own body. It is made up of individual cells and various body parts.
When all put together you have a complete and functioning body. Running from
the brain to all parts of our body is what is called the nervous system. This
nervous system that is connected to the brain sends messages and commands to
all the body parts and individual cells. When some of the cells of our body are
afflicted with some sort of disease then there is a break down in the
communication system. It is like that cell says no to the commands of the brain.
When this system of communication is working properly, the body functions
smoothly when it follows the leadership of the brain (head). This is how it works
with Christ, as the head of the Church. He communicates to individual cells
(individual believers) and with body parts (local churches). When individual

believers and churches sense the leadership of the Head, Christ, and follow Him,
there is unity in the church. Each cell and each body part is responsible to the
Head, and in this way each is autonomous.
Application: How obedient to the Head of the body are you, brother or sister in
Christ? This Biblical truth of the autonomy of the local church will only work as
well as each member of that local church responds to the leadership from the
Head, Christ! When it comes to decisions that need to be made in the church, and
the individual members of that local church are in close communion with the
Head, then there should be a unity in that church, for the Lord will not lead one
member one way and another a different direction.
Application: This Baptist distinctive of the autonomy of the local church does not
mean that we do not have fellowship with other like-minded churches. Gods
Word makes it clear that believers from other like-minded doctrinally churches
should get together from time to time for fellowship and encouragement around
the Word of God. Autonomy of the local church means that we will not be telling
another local church how to run their church, nor they of us.
II. What Does The Bible Say About Local Church Autonomy?
Since our premise as Baptist believers is the authority of the Word of God, then
what does it say about this Baptist Distinctive? Lets take a look at four passages
of scripture and four illustrations that defend this Baptist Distinctive.
A. The local church disciplines its own members--Matthew 18:15-17
1. This passage of scripture gives us the proper procedure for dealing with sin by
one Christian against another; it also suggests the independence of the local
church.
2. Notice that nothing is said about taking the issue to an area bishop or
superintendent or a council to appeal for further action. The implication is clear the local church is the final authority in such matters. There is no higher appeal
than the local church.
B. The Local Church Appoints Its Deacons--Acts 6:1-7

1. This is a very important example of the autonomy of the local church. Note
especially the wording in verses 2, 3, 5
2. Since the Apostles were involved in this situation, one might expect that they
would have simply selected seven men and informed the church of their
selections. But they did not do this. They asked the church to make that choice.
The Apostles then appointed the churchs chosen seven with prayer and the
laying on of hands.
C. The Local Church Sends Out Missionaries--Acts 13:1-3; 14:26,27
1. Notice that it was at the church in Antioch that this all takes place. It was not
some organization that sent out the first missionaries - it was a local church. It is
true that today we have mission agencies that work alongside the local church in
helping get missionaries to the field of service that God has called them to, but
make not mistake about it, the missionaries are sent out by a local church, not a
mission agency. The local church is responsible for understanding and recognizing
the Holy Spirits hand in choosing out those for missionary work, even as was true
in the church at Antioch. This is why when a missionary applies to a fundamental
Baptist mission board today, they must be members of a local Baptist church that
is also their sending church. If they come to the mission agency seeking to go out
as missionaries, and they are not members of a like-faith Baptist church, they
should be counseled that this is the first step.
2. In Acts 14:26,27 we learn that Paul and Barnabas came back to the church of
Antioch after their first missionary journey and reported to their sending church
what the Lord had done in saving folks among the Gentiles. This teaches us that it
is to a local church or churches that a missionary is accountable to. In this case
Paul and Barnabas reported to one church. In the case of modern missions, a
missionary will report to their sending church, and to the churches that have
taken them on for support. Why all this emphasis upon the local church and
missions? Because that is the pattern set forth for us in the early church and
recorded in Gods Word.
D. The Local Church Is Accountable To God

1. In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 we find the letters the Lord wrote to seven
churches in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey. Those churches were Ephesus,
Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicia. Each church is
addressed individually through its pastor. This was done in this way to show the
direct relationship each local church has with the Head of the Church, Jesus
Christ. Also, there is no evidence of a bishop of Asia Minor or any other hierarchy
over these seven churches.
Conclusion:
This Baptist Distinctive of church autonomy is clearly based on Gods authoritative
Word. Since this is the clear teaching of the NT about the local church, then it
should become our conviction as well that each local church should be an
autonomous group of believers. Do you believe with all your heart that Gods
Word teaches the autonomy of each local church? I trust that you do or will for I
believe the scriptures are clear on this issue.