The Unity of Church, Bryant Hewitt Message

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26956559

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkBQZ_6_xlo&feature=plcp

http://bryanthewitt-hue.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-unity-of-church-bryant-hewitt.html

2. BY HIS APOSTLES' DOCTRINE...
      1. Early Christians were governed by the apostles' doctrine
         a. From the very beginning of the church - Ac 2:42
         b. Which they respected as the Word of God - 1Th 2:13; cf.
            1Co 14:37
      2. The apostles' taught a simple form of congregational
         organization
         a. When fully developed, a church would have elders - Ac 14:23;
            Tit 1:5
         b. Elders were also known as bishops and pastors - Ac 20:17,28;
            1Pe 5:1-2
         c. They had to meet stringent qualifications - 1Ti 3:1-7; Ti
            1:5-9
         d. There was always a plurality in each congregation - e.g., Ac
            20:17; 21:18
         e. They were assisted by deacons, also qualified  - e.g., Ph
            1:1; 1Ti 3:8-13
      3. Important to note is the limited oversight of elders
         a. Their oversight was limited to those "among" them - Ac
            20:28; 1Pe 5:1-2
         b. They had no oversight of Christians in other congregations
         c. The only authority above the local congregation was Christ
            and His apostles
      4. This resulted in independent, autonomous congregations
         a. No hierarchy above the local congregation
         b. No single bishop over several churches, no synod, council or
            convention
         c. No sponsoring church where elders of one church oversee the
            work of another
      -- By His apostles' doctrine, Jesus offered peace from
         denominational division