Introduction:Last Sunday I began a series of messages on the Biblical Distinctives of Baptists. I felt led to preach this series of messages for several reason: First, so that each person who is attending North Eulalia Baptist Church will know that there are distinctive truths that Baptists have historically held to and defended. Since this church is a Baptist church, it is vital that we know why we are a Baptist church. A second reason for studying these Biblical distinctives of Baptists, and one that goes along with the series of messages that I will begin this evening on Apologetics, is so that each believer who becomes a member of this Baptist church will also be able to defend these distinctives of Baptists from the Word of God. We should be believers who know what we believe and why? I trust and pray that this series of studies will lead to that result. Last Sunday we studied the first Biblical Distinctive of Baptists by looking at what the B in Baptists stands for - Biblical Authority. That is a good place to start in a study of Baptist Distinctives for if what Baptists hold as distinctives are not found in God’s Word then they should be set aside. On the other hand if they are taught in God’s Word then there should be no question as to the course that should be taken as a church.

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. Areas commonly controlled by an outside authority include selecting a pastor, holding title to property, selecting curriculum, choosing missionaries to support and allotting income, and many other areas of church life. As you can see, many local churches in various denominations 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 isn’t, then is there another way?

Today I want us to study the A in Baptist, and it stands for Autonomy of the Local Church.

I. What Does Autonomy Of The Local Church Mean?

1. The word "autonomy" means "self-governance" or "self-rule." We have all heard this term used quite abit in recent months and years with the USA’s involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. We are attempting to help the people of both of these countries that we have freed from very repressive governments, to set up their own popularly elected democratic governments. We want them to be able to rule themselves eventually without any interference from ourselves or others. We want them to have countries where freedom reigns and where we do not have to worry about them exporting terrorism to our borders.

2. In a similar manner, 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. Each local church decides what responsibility it will give to the church leaders (pastor and deacons), and what responsibility the congregation will hold. This also includes determining membership, collecting and dispensing of funds, conducting business meetings, own real estate, and be part or not a part of an association of like-minded churches. Autonomy of the local church does not mean that a church can do whatever they want to. The local church is not subservient to any human authority, but each local church must recognize the absolute right of Christ to rule over every detail of church life. Why is this true?

3. The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and of each local church. Neither the leadership of the local church (pastor and deacons), by themselves, nor the church’s congregation, by themselves, has the right to lead the church. Sadly, in many Baptist churches this has been forgotten or set aside. In some churches there are pastors who say jump and everyone else asks how far. They have a very overbearing personality and they do not abide by anyone questioning what they are doing. 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 folks 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 and to head in that direction.

4. Is this a Biblical pattern? Well, let’s take a look at several passages of scripture.

a. Ephesians 1:20-23 says, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

b. Colossians 1:18 says, And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

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. God’s 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? Let’s 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
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

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 a synod 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.

3. Some people may not like this. They might fear that this is putting to much authority into a local church for such matters. I would answer such a person with this counter statement - Why do you fear what obviously Christ does not fear to do? If Christ wanted all situations dealt with by a higher church hierarchy, then He would have told us this.

4. Someone else might counter with the example of the church counsel that convened in Jerusalem that is recorded for us in Acts 15. This church counsel was convened to deal with the very important doctrinal issue of what was necessary for one to be saved. Some had come from Judaea to the church at Antioch and were teaching "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." They wanted the Gentile believers to follow Jewish customs and said they had to if they wanted to really be saved. This is nothing more than a works salvation. They were also preaching a message that was not authorized by God or by the Apostles. Paul and Barnabas disputed with these folks and it was finally decided by the church in Antioch to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem and the Apostles and the church there to have this issue settled once and for all. After much discussion and debate, the speeches of Peter, Paul and Barnabas, the pastor of the Jerusalem church, James, the half-brother of Jesus, made the decision that Gentiles were saved the same as Jews and that the keeping of the law and needing to be circumcised in order to be saved were not of God. A letter was drafted from the church in Jerusalem and sent with Paul and Barnabas and others to the church in Antioch stating this conclusion and apologizing for the damage that had been caused by this false teaching of some who claimed to be speaking for the church in Jerusalem. This was a very important event in the early church as sound doctrine was being settled once and for all. It is interesting to note in Acts 15 that James refers to the OT scriptures for the authority behind the decision that was made.

Yes, this was a church counsel and there many others, but this does not destroy the doctrine of the autonomy of the local church. Rather, I believe it defends it. Paul and Barnabas were sent out by a local church to another local church to get an answer. There were not many local churches at that time. Jerusalem was the epicenter so it is natural to go there for advice and to get the issue settled. There needed to be continuity in the message that was proclaimed and something to measure falsehood by. The local church at Jerusalem then sent a personal letter to the church at Antioch and others in the area. I do not see a hierarchy of church government here - only believers seeking sound advice from other godly saints.

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 church’s 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 Spirit’s 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 will 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 God’s Word.

D. Each 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.

2. In the NT, when speaking of local churches, the singular is used when referring to a city and the plural when referring to larger territories. Thus we read of the churches (plural) of Judaea and Galilee (Acts 9:31). The churches of Galatia (1 Cor. 16:1) and Macedonia (2 Cor. 8:1). There are many more references, but suffice it to say that these references to churches reflect the NT perspective that each local church was an individual entity. We may speak of "a Baptist church" when referring to one local church, and "Baptist churches" when referring to more than one. But it is not in keeping with the NT pattern to speak of "the Baptist Church" as though several local churches formed one church.

Conclusion: There are a number of ways that I can conclude and apply what we have studied this morning about the autonomy of the local church.

1. This Baptist Distinctive of church autonomy is clearly based on God’s 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 God’s 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.

2. I used the example of a local church disciplining it’s members for known, unconfessed sin to point out the autonomy of the local church. That example implies that a local church has members, and that those people became members of that local church based upon their profession of faith in Jesus Christ. They had made a commitment to a particular local body of believers, and had willingly placed themselves under the care and leadership of that church. Some folks believe that they do not need to be a member of any particular local church for they are part of the Body of Christ as a whole. It is true that when a sinner places their faith and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins they are also placed into the Body of Christ. But you would have to shut your eyes to the vast examples in the NT scriptures of individuals being members of a local body of believers, members of a local church. Some folks do not like the idea of membership. They equate it with joining some club. When a believer joins NEBC they are not joining a club. They are not getting saved. They are simply stating by their testimony of faith in Jesus Christ that they are believers, and they want to serve their Lord and Saviour among this group of fellow believers. Yes, membership hints at exclusiveness - some in and some out. For a local church this is critical. Those who are members can serve in the church, vote on issues that are raised in business meetings - thus having a part in the direction this local church goes, and many other spiritual matters. Thus, it is vital for the well-being of this local church to make sure that those who are in these critical positions of leadership and decision making are those who are saved and who desire to serve the Lord. I would encourage any who have been thinking about joining this local church to make the step to doing so. Make your desire known to me. Share you testimony of faith in Jesus Christ before the congregation. Read the Church Constitution and agree to it. Have your request for membership voted upon by the current members and membership is granted. Whether you are going to be here for years or whether you plan on moving out of the area soon - you should place your membership in a local church and get busy serving our Lord.

3. A word to those of you who are members of this local body of believers - faithfulness to the Lord and this local church are absolutely vital. With autonomy comes responsibility - responsibility from each and every member of that local church. There is the responsibility to being faithful to all the services of the church. There is the responsibility to live faithfully for the Lord. Let me end this message by reading to you the Church Covenant that is found in the Church Constitution, and that must be subscribed to by all members of this local church.

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to be faithful in attendance and observance of the ordinances and doctrines, submitting to discipline when necessary; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We also shall encourage family devotions and maintain personal devotions; religiously educate our children in the Word of God; seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; walk uprightly in the world; be just in our dealings; be faithful in our engagements; avoid anger while encouraging direct communications with each other; abstain from the sale and use of any substance which will be ingested into the bloodstream without medical necessity, such as alcohol, nicotine, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and narcotics, which would hamper the judgment or equilibrium, bring addiction, hurt the weaker brother, or defile the body (the temple of the Holy Spirit); and avoid gambling in any form (i.e. wagers on games of chance).

We should exhibit a loving concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ; remember each other in prayer; aid each other in sickness and distress; cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation.

If we should leave this locality, it is our desire to unite as soon as possible with some other Baptist church of like faith and practice, where we can carry out the spirit of this Covenant and the principles of God's Word.