In Acts 14:23, we saw that Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church. The local churches are called in Romans 16:16, "churches of Christ." There is no earthly head of the universal church. The only organization one can read of in the New Testament is that of local churches, with overseers, overseeing that one local church of which they are a member. In the days of the apostles, the biblical terms of elders or presbyters, overseers or bishops, shepherd or pastors were all terms of those in the same office, and all with equal rank. There was no organization or authority over the local churches other than the apostles and they had no successors.

Why is this not so today? Only because of the unauthorized change in practice by the Churches who use them as they do. The change in the government of the Lord’s church was the first departure from the form of teaching instituted by the apostles and is that which contributes to the continued division of believers in the various religious bodies of today.

In Acts 15, we saw that Satan used the lack of understanding of some in another matter to greatly hinder Paul’s work among the Gentiles and disrupt the church in general. Paul, Barnabas and others from the church in Antioch in Syria went to Jerusalem to confer with the apostles and elders of the church there. The misunderstanding was about whether the Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses (vs. 5). These were Pharisees who believed but did not understand that Jesus instituted a new covenant that was for all people, Jew and Gentile, and that all are saved alike (vs. 9, 10, 15; see also Romans 10:12, 13).

Satan continues to this day confusing the minds of many as to how Christ’s church is to be organized and governed and how God saves. And so we have today many different denominations and independent Churches with many different teachings concerning these matters. Each contradicts the other and this is certainly a major problem that hinders unity in Christ among believers. But the saddest thing is that all contradict the word of God in these matters. Satan continues to keep these matters of faith a deep secret from many who would be deeply concerned if they knew what God has said.

In Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit guided the apostles and elders in the decision they reached (Acts 15:28) and a letter was sent to the churches that had been troubled by the teaching that they must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses to be saved. The letter explained that the apostles and the elders of the Jerusalem church had given “no such commandment” (vs. 24).

The Monticello Church of Christ follows the pattern of organization and government of the church and the way of salvation given by Christ and the apostles. Inquiries of those who wish to follow the teaching of the Bible are invited.