Denominations have their forms of government. Some have a governing body of bishops. Others have a single pastor of a congregation. One is called Episcopalian government. The other is called congregational government. Certain denominations emphasize what they call the priesthood of the individual believer. By this they mean each one can plead his or her own cause before God. There is no need to have some other human as a solicitor or mediator.
On the other side are the denominations that teach the individual needs a human intercessor to stand between him and God. That intercessor may be an ordained person in the hierarchy of the church or a human now dead but by hierarchical decree elevated to the position of a saint.
Both forms have pitfalls. The congregational or the individual priesthood group may leave too much up to individual decision, resulting in disunity in the local assembly. Today we call it tolerance. The Episcopalian form may vest too much authority in a few who make up the governing body that sets the rules.
In Paul’s missionary work, he ordained elders in the newly formed churches. At the same time, he retained definite oversight, issuing some decrees “for to keep.” His epistles reflect his concern and control of the various congregations.
In my opening chapter on I Corinthians, I stated that Paul supported what he taught the Corinthians by referring to what he taught in all churches. I want to reemphasize that I Corinthians is not a provincial epistle. It is for the church. And it is for the church today.
Thus Paul apparently considered he had a leadership role to give direction to a number of congregations, reaching even beyond his time. No one in the congregation, in fact, no congregation, was expected to go it alone.
There was what we call the “community of faith.” And yet there was and is a personal accountability as Paul writes in Romans 14:12: “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Let’s now consider I Corinthians 16:1-12 for COUNSELS FOR THE LOCAL CONGREGATION.
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2 Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.
6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and [there are] many adversaries.
10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also [do].
11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
12 As touching [our] brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
Here we have several down-to-earth COUNSELS the local congregation should follow.
The first counsel is:
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