WHO OWNS THE CHURCH
WHO OWNS THE CHURCH? Two Ways of Ruling the Church: Conciliar Stewardship vs Proprietary Autocracy A Biblical Reflection The Biblical Foundation The New Testament knows no sole proprietor of the Church. Christ is the Head (Col. 1:18). The apostles never ruled alone. In Acts 15, when circumcision threatened the Gospel, "the apostles and elders met to consider this question" (Acts 15:6). Their conclusion was conciliar, not personal: "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us " (Acts 15:28). Paul therefore commands plurality: appoint elders (plural) in every town (Titus 1:5), test every prophecy (1 Thess. 5:20-21). No spiritual or charismatic gift, however spectacular, exempts a man from testing. 1. Conciliar Stewardship Stewardship is oikonomia - managing another's household. Authority is received, limited, shared, and accountable. Marks : Scripture supreme. Elders together. Creeds as guardrails. Synod as court of appeal. Succession by election, ...