WHY SHOULD WE STUDY CHURCH ORGANIZATION?

This question is a good one and deserves a good answer.

Because the early departures from the faith had their beginning in the organizational structure of the church. The Bible predicted a falling away from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1). Some would change and pervert the true gospel (Gal. 1:6-9). The apostle Paul warned the elders of the church of Ephesus that they should take heed to the flock over which they were overseers (Acts 20:28). He told them to feed or teach the church because false teachers would be arising from among themselves to lead away disciples from the church which Christ purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28-30).

One of the first ways that men left the Bible, was in the matter of church organization. Elders began to rule over more than one church. Then "bishops" begin to rule the elders. Men continued to change the Bible plan of church government until finally a pope was elected. There is no pope in the Bible, but men had departed from the faith. There is always danger that men will corrupt the true organization of the church. Whenever departures come, they usually begin in the leadership. This is why studying church organization is very necessary. By understanding how other people have left the truth, we can avoid their mistakes.

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