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THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 6

THE FIRST LOCAL CHURCH

Belonging to and participating in a local church is of utmost importance for every born-again
believer. The main function of the members of the local church is to relieve the pastor of the
daily responsibilities so he may dedicate himself to prayer and the study of God’s Word.
Ushers, greeters, counselors, hospital workers, children, and youth workers are all vital to the
successful and effectual functioning of the local church.

Just as in the first local church, there are no perfect churches because there are no perfect
people. But we can strive to walk free of strife and in the unity of faith with a heart to serve
one another in the body of Christ. God offers His divine wisdom to all who will ask. We can
walk in the same wisdom in which Stephen operated it we will only ask.

THE LOCAL CHURCH

Much is written in the New Testament about the daily operation of the local church, especially
in the book of Acts. Foundational principles are established because the first local church at
Jerusalem is far from perfect. Very little of what is written is being followed today.

THE PASTOR

The pastor is the final authority in the local church, and is his responsibility to teach the Word
of God. This is his only responsibility. Anything else is subject to his own personal desires,

strengths and weaknesses, and ability to delegate. He is given a number of titles:

1. Elder (presbuteros): Describes his person and maturity. “The elders which are among
you I exhort, who am also an elder, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be
revealed” (1 Peter 5:1).
2. Bishop (episkopos: overseer): Describes the pastor’s responsibility and work. “Take
heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath
made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own

blood” (Acts 20:28). Also 1 Peter 5:2: “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking
the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready
mind;. . .”
3. Pastor (poimen: shepherd): Describes the pastor’s spiritual gift, responsibility to his
congregation, and his qualifications (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; Colossians 1:25-29; 1
Timothy 3:7; 4:15-16; 2 Timothy 4:1-3; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4).