What is The Rightful Form Of Church Government

DEMOCRACY

In order for us to answer this Question we need to first identify where does authority reside within the Church. When we look at the early Church that began on the day of Pentecost and subsequently as the Church began to be established we see the appointment of Bipshops and Deacons as mentioned in Titus 1:5-7. The supreme authority that oversaw the whole Church establishment and affairs were the Apostles or the Elders at the Jerusalem Council that came together to decide on Matters pertaining to contravesies in doctrine and disputes that arose within the Church as mentioned in ACTS 15:1-29.

The Bishop or his representative which in the early Church meant the deacon usually consulted the local congregation in regards to their wishes and wants and sometimes permitted them a considerable amount of initiative in matters relating to the Church. Should there be disputes and matters that required further clarification then it was reported back to the Apostles.

We see here a Representative form of Government just like a Democracy where everyone reports to one another and each member can still exercise their rights and Privileges even as God has given each of us a free will to excercise our rights according to the word of God.

The problem I see in some Churches is when the Leader tells the congregation his /her plans and then finishes off by saying God has told me or I heard from God and when some member voice out their views we are told not to stand against the plan of God. This effectively kills off all valid Questions and the members rights are curtailed and I believe dictatorialism makes its presence in the church and Democracy takes a back seat.

Church and Last Things

What is the bibilic understanding of the Church

According to the bible which we know as the word of God the Church is a body of believers whohave opened the door of their heartsand allowed Jesus to come in,to begin a relationship with him ( I Corinthians 12:12-14) and ( Rev.3:20). Though we are many members but we are one body the church which in Greek denotes a called out group.

I.TEMPLE OF GOD

Now to relate the Church as the temple of God we need to understand the concept of the temple in the light of the Old Testament scriptures. In the Old Testament temple we know that God was present beyond the veil in the Holy of Holies as the Shekinah Glory.

By the death of Jesus on the cross we know that the veil was torn from top to bottom and access has now been granted for the presence of God to now dwell in human hearts.

Hence the scriptures substantiates this in I Cor.3:16 " know you not that you are the temple of God and that the spirit of God dwells within you.

Therefore the church is made up of living temples indwellt by the Holy Spirit of God.