Category: Autonomy

Even casual discussions with friends and loved ones who are outside of the churches of Christ can reveal a very strange mythology that has developed…

While the code of Hammurabi and the Mosaic Law may have some similarities between them regarding civil matters, it cannot be said that they were derived from the same source. The Mosaic Law goes so much further in developing an order and a people convicted of the things that the Lord has commanded them. To say that Moses copied from the code of Hammurabi betrays an ignorance of the purposes of the two laws.

Each apostasy had as its core a rejection of the authority of God’s word. Had there been a fidelity to the principles established in the New Testament, such innovations and changes would not have occurred. This is an important lesson to us today. Brethren, unless we understand the nature of biblical authority and apply it to all aspects of our lives, we are in danger of suffering the same fate.

Proposition 1: The Scriptures teach that the pattern of decision-making in matters of congregational judgment must always include the whole church (including women) under male leadership in all local churches (both with and without elders).

My conclusion is that a church may use a bulletin and its influence may be widely felt without invading another church’s independence. Let us not be critical of any method or medium which a church uses so long as care is used to respect local autonomy. And finally, let us extend the same courtesy to those who stand for the truth as for those who constantly agitate. Don’t call for one to cease while allowing the other to continue. Common fairness and decency demands this much.

The autonomy of the local congregation is a lesson that must be taught again and again. We need to know the truth on this matter as we deal with our denominational friends, whose religious organizations know practically nothing about the Spirit’s teaching on autonomy. Likewise, as the article pointed out, autonomy is a vital issue with some erring brethren.

Men have continually shown themselves unwilling to acquiesce to Christ’s will regarding His church, and have altered the divine plan. Among the distortions of God’s blueprint for the church, and the focus of this article, is an assault on the concept of church autonomy as revealed in scripture.

Local Church Autonomy must be understood to avoid error. For example, we must not be guilty of violating autonomy, and establishing denominational structures. However, it is also important that we not “hide behind” autonomy, to justify a departure from the truth of God’s word. Autonomy simply gives us the right, no matter what others may do, to serve God as He commands.