Seeking Autonomy I. Introduction A. The subject of seeking autonomy is set before us B. What is autonomy? 1. What does it mean? 2. What does it involve? 3. What does it not mean? 4. How does autonomy impact the work of the church? C. Let us consider the subject II. What is Autonomy? A. Autonomy from Greek auto nomos, "self law" 1. Webster: "independent in government; having the right of self government" 2. Autonomy, therefore, involves self-governance B. A word not found in Scripture C. The word is normally used in terms of the church; strictly, it is inaccurate 1. The Church of Christ cannot truly be self-governing! 2. Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:22-32: Jesus Christ as head of the church 3. Ephesians 2:20: church as founded on the Apostles and prophets 4. Therefore, for the church to truly belong to Christ, it must be headed by Christ and founded on the doctrines of the Apostles and prophets 5. A completely autonomous church has no future! D. So why talk about "autonomy"? 1. If the situation were the same as in New Testament times, we would not have to! 2. Nevertheless, as time has progressed, various systems of governing and organizing churches have developed 3. Some have a highly structured system, like Catholicism (pope, cardinal, archbishop, bishop, priest) 4. Many others have a looser system, involving some kind of denominational headquarters and central organization 5. Some even have informal organization of churches cooperating with each other in various ways 6. It is because of all of these different forms of governance that we must speak regarding autonomy! E. What, then, does autonomy mean? 1. Autonomy means that on a local level, congregations of the Lord's people are self-governing in respect to other churches 2. This reflects the situation seen in the New Testament 3. Different local churches: Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:1-2), Philippi (Philippians 1:1), Rome (Romans 1:1), etc. 4. While the Apostles founded the church, directly or indirectly, they did not directly govern their affairs 5. Government of each local congregation given to elders qualified to shepherd the flock (Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-4) 6. Deacons serve in the local congregation (Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:8-12) 7. Evangelists may work with the congregation to encourage members, promote Gospel; no function of authority save appointing elders (Ephesians 4:11-16, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Titus 1:5-7) 8. In all of this, while congregations may send support to benefit the needs of other congregations (cf. Acts 11:27-30, 2 Corinthians 8-9), these congregations are separate entities and do not govern each other's affairs 9. Therefore, in relation to one another, they are self-governing 10. Each congregation is to look toward Christ as their chief Shepherd and Overseer (1 Peter 2:25) and to the teachings of the Apostles as authoritative (Acts 2:42, Ephesians 2:20), yet there is no evidence that congregations exercised any kind of authority over other congregations or formally cooperated in any endeavor F. Autonomy, therefore, involves the local congregation and its relation with other local congregations, and how every congregation is to control its own affairs III. What Autonomy Involves A. Seeing what autonomy means, what does it involve? B. Autonomy involves each local congregation seeing to its own affairs, not presuming to meddle in or control the affairs of other congregations 1. Based in the New Testament, there is no basis for any congregation to involve itself in the functioning or operation of other congregations 2. We see no indication of larger churches controlling or overshadowing smaller churches 3. The elders of each congregation are to direct their own flocks, not others (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1-4) 4. 1 Clement evidence: even after apostolic period, congregations did not presume to impose their will on other congregations, even the church in Rome! 5. Thus, one congregation has no right to force upon other congregations any various opinion or such thing 6. There is no authority for congregations to cooperate in formal ventures, compromising the autonomy of each congregation C. A difficulty? 1. Does this mean that if a church begins teaching that which is wrong, despite all pleading and rebuke, they cannot be forced to return to the truth? While in the flesh, indeed! 2. Some point to this as a detraction of the autonomous concept 3. While it is lamentable, there are two sides to the issue: even if one congregation does stray from the truth, the rest need not follow! 4. When a more organized institution departs from the norms of the New Testament, all the churches involved tend to depart, also! 5. Therefore, despite the variety and variants seen among churches of Christ, a more organized system leads to the opposite abuses: forced conformity that is more often than not contrary to the Scriptures! D. Autonomy does not involve complete separation 1. Congregations sent benevolence support to other congregations in need (Acts 11:27-30, 2 Corinthians 8-9) 2. Expectation of communication among members of different congregations, evangelists working with different congregations (Romans 16, Colossians 4:12-13, 16) 3. Congregations supporting evangelists even when not working with their own congregation (Philippians 4:15-16) 4. 1 Clement again: apparently, church in Corinth sought advice from church in Rome, it was provided! 5. Therefore, congregations can communicate with each other, provide when others have needs, provide for evangelists, encourage each other 6. Rebukes and warnings can also be provided (3 John, Revelation 1-2)! 7. Autonomy does not really involve license: we are all still under the headship of Christ according to the standard of the revelation of the Apostles (Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 2:20) E. Autonomy, therefore, involves each congregation seeing to its own affairs while taking opportunities to encourage others and to rebuke if necessary IV. Autonomy and the Work of the Local Church A. How does autonomy affect the local church and its work? B. Work of the church belongs to the local church! 1. All the passages relating to the functioning of the church practically made evident in each local congregation 2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-28, Ephesians 4:11-16 3. Since there is no organization beyond the local congregation, and each is autonomous, each must work within itself to perform these functions! 4. Each must promote the Gospel in its own community (Matthew 28:18, Romans 1:16) 5. Each must build itself up in love (Ephesians 4:11-16) 6. They cannot expect some other organization or "higher up" to accomplish it for them! C. Thus, the primary focus must be with its own affairs 1. Local congregations are not to turn a blind eye to the conditions of other congregations 2. Nevertheless, each local congregation must focus on its own issues, concerns, and challenges (Ephesians 4:11-16, Acts 20:28) 3. Such should provide plenty of things to do, and less time to focus on the affairs of other congregations 4. In many ways, the lesson of Matthew 7:1-5 would be of assistance on an intra-congregational level 5. As in individuals, so in congregations: those more focused on the problems of others are probably desperately trying to avoid or cover their own! 6. Our time is much better spent attempting to edify and encourage the local body (1 Corinthians 12:12-20, Ephesians 4:11-16)! D. Autonomy means that while no earthly body is governing the various local churches, each one must be active in its work, focused on its own spiritual growth V. Conclusion A. Autonomy not explicitly in Scripture, but matter made necessary by denominational adaptations of the New Testament church 1. No church to be truly autonomous: must be under Christ's rule, founded on apostolic doctrine 2. Yet, in relation to one another, local congregations to be autonomous, shepherded by its own elders B. Autonomy involves a congregation seeking after its own affairs while encouraging and benefiting other congregations when necessary C. Autonomy also requires a congregation to do its own work and focus on its own growth, recognizing that no one else can do so D. Let us seek proper autonomy and be the Body of Christ! E. Invitation Scripture, Meditation, and Application 1: Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). In the faith we sometimes speak of "autonomy." "Autonomy" involves self-governance. All evidence in the New Testament indicates that local churches remained autonomous relative to one another. Each local church was to have its own members, shepherded by their own elders, and served by their own deacons. No evidence exists in the New Testament for any kind of authoritative role for any individual or congregation between the "universal" church and "local" churches. May we seek to embody the purposes of God in Christ in His church! 2: And [God] put all things in subjection under [Jesus'] feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22). When we speak of "autonomy" in the church, we must always remember that the church can never be truly autonomous. Jesus is Lord of the church; He is the Head not only of the church universal, but also each and every local congregation. Revelation 2:1-3:21 attests to Jesus' continual concern for local churches. May we all submit to the Lord Jesus and obtain the resurrection of life in Him! 3: For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything (1 Thessalonians 1:8). Autonomy among local churches does not demand complete disconnection among churches; far from it! Local congregations do well to be aware of each other, pray for each other, provide benevolence and support when necessary, and even be willing to ask one another for advice or exhortation. Yet autonomy means that no local congregation has the right to presume to meddle or intervene in the affairs of any other congregation. The members of each will stand or fall before their Lord on the day of judgment. May we encourage one another in Christ and fulfill His purposes for His body! 4: From whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love (Ephesians 4:16). Autonomy of local churches is as much a responsibility as a form of freedom. A local church may not rightly be condemned by another. Yet it also means that any given local church cannot expect God's work to be done by anyone else. Each local church must put forth the effort to embody Jesus in their community; its members must show love, mercy, and humility to one another and to all, and to proclaim the Word of the Lord Jesus. Each must devote itself to building up its parts of the Body of Christ. May we strive to embody Jesus in the church to His glory and honor!