The Church

by Sebastian R. Fama

There are those who contend that the Church is not a visible institution but merely the
body of believers. However, Jesus compares His Church only to visible things, such as a
flock, a body, a house, a city set on a hill, and a kingdom. 1 Timothy 3:15 tells us that the
Church is "the pillar and foundation of truth." The words pillar and foundation indicate
assurance and stability, not division and confusion, as one finds among the thousands of
denominations that have sprung up since the Reformation.

It is important to note that it is not the Church that determines truth; rather God
communicates His truth through the Church. All believers are a part of the Church which,
though one body, has many parts, and the many parts have different functions (1
Corinthians 12:12-31). The function of the Church's hierarchy is clearly shown in Scripture.
Consider the following:

Peter and the council of Jerusalem, over which he presided, taught by the power of the
Holy Spirit: "It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any
burden beyond these necessities…" (Acts 15:28).

All of the Churches were to abide by the decision: "As they (Paul and Timothy) traveled
from city to city, they handed on to the people for observance the decision reached
by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem" (Acts 16:4).

Bishops were in authority over congregations: "For this reason I left you in Crete so that
you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as
I directed you" (Titus 1:5). The office of bishop is spoken of eight times in the New
Testament. The Greek words used are episcopos (ἐπίσκοπος), which means a
superintendent or overseer, someone who visits, and episskope (ἐπισκοπή), which just
refers to the office.

Presbyters were reminded of their responsibilities: "From Miletus he had the presbyters of
the Church at Ephesus summoned. 'Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole
flock, of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church
of God that He acquired with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves
will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men
will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them'" (Acts
20:17, 28-30). How do you suppose those deceivers will appear? "Even Satan
masquerades as an angel of light. So it is not strange that his ministers also
masquerade as ministers of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). That is why John
says, "We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who
does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and
the spirit of deceit" (1 John 4:6). This is a reflection of Jesus' own words, "Whoever
listens to you listens to Me. Whoever rejects you rejects me" (Luke 10:16), and "If he
refuses even to listen to the Church, then treat him as you would a gentile or a tax
collector" (Matthew 18:17).

Consequently, believers were to submit to Church authority, "Remember your leaders who
spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their
faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by
all kinds of strange teachings...obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep
watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and
not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you" (Hebrews 13:7-9, 17). The word
"leader" is translated from the Greek word hegeomai (ἡγέομαι) and means to lead with
official authority. Similarly, in 1 Peter 5:5 we read, "Likewise, you younger members, be
subject to the presbyters."
The teaching of the early Church parallels the scriptures. In the year 110, Ignatius of
Antioch wrote in his letter to Polycarp, "You must be made holy in all things by being
united in perfect obedience, in submission to the bishop and the priests." That Rome was
the source of authority is confirmed by Irenaeus (140-202 AD): "We point to the tradition of
that very great and very ancient and universally known Church, which was established at
Rome…for with this Church, because of its superior authority, every church must agree"
(Against Heresies 3, 3:2).

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