The word “autonomy” is defined as, “right of self-government; a self-governing state; an independent body.” In the first century, each congregation of God’s people constituted an independent body. It was independent of every other congregation. Elders did not parcel out power like pearls. There was not tyranny or threats of one church over another. All recognized their individual right of existence. The church in Rome or Jerusalem had no authority in extending their tentacles of power over other self-governing bodies in other communities. Men outside a given congregation had no right to exercise authority and power within another congregation (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7).
It is most important, brethren, that all understand that elders and deacons in one church have no authority to exercise despotic rule or any other kind of rule over the elders and deacons of another congregation. Such is also true of a congregation without elders and deacons (Acts 20:17-38; 14:23).
In the first century, each congregation was free and independent, under the teachings of Christ and the apostles, to govern itself, carry out its own work and manage its own business (Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-3). Nowhere does the Bible authorize a group of elders and preachers representing several congregations to meet and dictate policy and demands to another congregation. Such action smacks of ecclesiasticism and is going beyond what is written (2 John 9-11). Such saintly façade masks the worst form of evil!
The New Testament teaches no system of church government larger or smaller than the local church. All congregations had the same Gospel and constituted the one body of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Each congregation was independent with its own leadership (Acts 14:23) and directed its own work without outside interference from others. Ecclesiasticism has completely reversed the divine arrangement as recorded in the New Covenant. Such is as foreign to the simplicity of the ancient order of things as daylight is from midnight darkness!
The autonomy of the local church is a fundamental doctrine taught in the New Testament. It seems that some of our brethren need to be reminded of this basic truth (2 Peter 1:12).
[Editor’s Note: The malady to which brother Lavender refers above manifests itself today in a number of ways: a church with elders versus an elderless church; a larger congregation versus a smaller congregation; a city church versus a church in a rural setting; a congregation with a big program versus churches with smaller or fewer programs of work; a supporting congregation versus a congregation receiving financial support; a church with more highly educated members and leadership versus a congregation with fewer academic degrees among its elders and other members; etc. All of these scenarios involve comparing ourselves with ourselves to esteem ourselves more highly than others. “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV). Mankind, even within the Lord’s church, has little changed over the many foregoing centuries. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
