Characteristics Of A Biblical Church.

[Scott Hutchinson]

While there are believers who are called to Oversight Giftings in the body of Christ,there is no rank structure in the church.The Five-fold ministry does not outrank the saints.
There is no clergy laity division taught in the word.
A presbytery in the bible was a group of Elders in a congregation.
Not state officials who out ranked pastors.

[trialedbyfire]

Keep to apostolic tradition.

I agree. We should not be quoting and citing the "church fathers" to prove Biblical points. That always leads to error.

No hierarchy

I believe there is a justified place for some form of "hierarchy" in the church.

Small meetings that fit in a home

I would have liked for them to have provided scripture for this. I don't think they could though since there isn't any. The fact that a church that was being persecuted with death met in homes during it's beginnings doesn't suggest that church buildings are "unbiblical". That's insane. There are home churches in China too, why? Because they are persecuted. There is no particular scripture in the Bible that suggests christians should only meet in their homes, nor that meeting in a building is a bad thing. People who claim this are delusional. There's nothing more spiritual about a saint's house then a church building or a storefront. People need to get over themselves, the true church wasn't known by it's location or where they worshipped, whether it be in a storefront, a home, or a field with a tent. They were known by their APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE and the preaching of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.

Plural leadership

I believe even then they had head elders. They may not have been as high regarded as they are now, but I do believe that there was one of the elders that held the majority of the responsability.

Qualified leaders

I do agree.

Home-grown leadership

I agree, when home-grown leadership is available they should lead. There are times however when this may not be possible because there is no one qualified to lead. I believe insuring that those who are qualified lead is more important then picking someone who is "home grown". I also don't consider this point that important when talking about "the true church".

Male leadership only

I agree to an extent.

I do believe women can preach. I have my reservations about women pastors. I personally wouldn't sit under one, BUT that's not a salvation issue.

Exercises godly discipline

Agreed.

Discipline by the whole church

Agreed.

Priesthood of all believers

We cannot negate that God does have an authority structure and is a God of order.

Every member contributes

This does not mean we cannot have a choir or praise leaders. That's stretching a concept that's not even really Biblical.

Encourages the gifts of each

I agree.

Everyone loves and encourages one another

Of course.

Includes children

Yes.

Jesus controls

Indeed.

Freedom

Yes.

Working of the Holy Spirit

Yes.

Minimal structure

Not sure. The apostolic church was young and fragmented and also persecuted, so I wonder had the persecution not been going on what it would've looked like.

No expensive resources

Yes.

No salaried leaders

Don't see a problem with that.

Baptise believers immediately on conversion

Yes.

Bible teaching

Yes.

Dialogue teaching

Yes.

Fellowship meal

Yes.

Unity

Yes.

Autonomy

To an extent.