SOME PRODDING THOUGHTS 
(AND MORE TO COME)
 THERE IS NEED to study again the simple organization, corporate life, and function of the church of the New Testament. Organizationally, that church stands out as being local, independent, and autonomous in nature (bound only by love to other local, independent, and autonomous churches). That local church was under the direct oversight of men called "elders" who themselves were under Christ. Evangelists were sent out from this local church to win the world for Christ. Deacons were servants to assist the elders in the work of the church. And all the members constituted a priesthood of believers, serving the God of heaven and standing on equal footing before their Lord.

 
 Today in so-called Christendom we are confronted with varying degrees of departure from this simplicity, with the most glaring example seen in a monolithic system with a single man as its head. And within this organization are others exercising such authority all the way down to the local level. Then other denominational spin-offs can be seen bearing a strong resemblance to the original. One man over a multiplicity of churches is called a "bishop," whereas in the New Testament there were several "bishops" (elders) over one local church. And then in many local situations one man called "the minister" is very much parallel to the apostate system just mentioned (that has one man over a universal church). Generally, "right reverends" and clergymen have replaced the simplicity of the New Testament way of doing things.

 
 When believing men sincerely study the Scriptures, they will seek to restore the local church in all of its simplicity (and they have). It will be a local, independent, and autonomous body. But when their love grows cold, and they cease to respect the Scriptures, the old departure that was originally prophesied in the early church begins to take place all over again. They look beyond the local scene with an eye to ecclesiastical organizations and denominational setups that usurp and eventually replace the local church in God’s plan. It doesn’t happen all at once, but it happens, and has repeatedly happened.

 
 We offer these words as prodding thoughts. As stated, we need to study anew the organizational structure and function of the early church. It may be that there are things that need to be taught all over again (or even understood for the first time).
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(NOTE: For the beginning of a meaningful study, check out the article "An Examination and An Overview of Ephesians 4:11" and more to follow)

 
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