Does it really matter how the church is organized? In this lesson, we examine the New Testament pattern for the church — both universal and local — and contrast it with the man-made hierarchies of Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, the Episcopal Church, the Southern Baptist Convention, and modern community churches. We look at what the Bible teaches about bishops, elders, and deacons — their qualifications, their roles, and the requirement for a plurality of elders in each congregation. We also address violations of the biblical pattern, including one-man rule and female leadership. If we can change the way Jesus organized His church, what stops us from changing His teaching on marriage, worship, or the plan of salvation?
