When we think of the Church as followers of Christ we think of the Church of Christ. The Church which is from the Kingdom of God. That we serve in and are to minister in. It is also the same Church that Jesus told Peter that he will be the rock of His Church which He will build on. “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church;…” (New American Standard Bible, Matthew 16.9) Over time the Church has grown and developed many different forms of government. However, the three major forms of church government is Episcopal Government, Congregational Government and Presbyterian Government. Each government of the church has played an important role within the church and in its history. The first form of …show more content…
The first objective is that the Proponents of Episcopacy contend with the Congregationalism. This does not take too much account of facts of the earlier apostolic churches. Congregationalism reflects the modern democracy rather than the apostolic and the post-apostolic tradition they have. Second objective is that it advocates of Presbyterian object which the New Testament that vests more power in the elders of proponents that the Congregationalism has. The third objective is that the Jerusalem Council did not issue the suggestions of the rule to follow. Last objectives states that others of the congregations are to define of the ruling the congregation has in this government. Those are the four objectives to the government of Congregationalism. The third form of government is Presbyterian. This government is majorly contributor to the reformed theology of John Calvin. Calvin converted from the Roman Catholicism after training for the priesthood and the law. This government that was formed from Calvin gives govern authority to the primarily elected of laypersons know as the elders. The reason why its called Presbyterian is because that is the greek word of elder. Which is the main reason and view of this …show more content…
In this form of government the Biblical supportive by how the way the elders and pastors are elected. By the form of the congregational and by the existing elders and pastors. If you look in Acts chapter six and verses one through six, it explains this view of the elders of the church electing new elders and the congregation. “So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples…” (Acts 6.2) The apostles are selecting others to join them. This is the form of how the current elders or pastors like a Peter is selecting someone new to the church. “The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen,…” (Acts 6.5) These are Biblical examples of how the congregation and the elders or pastors elect someone new into the role of a elder or pastor. Second type of Biblical examples of this government is the other way how the government elects people into there church. This way is how the congregation alone selects who they want. If you look in Acts chapter fifteen you can see this example being played out. “When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders,…” (Acts 15.4) When this verse refers to they, the author of Acts is referring to Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus. (Acts 13.2) This example shows that this form of government can be supported with more
For many the term “polity” is relatively new. I explain to them that polity is simply the general organizational structures and form of governance, including constitution/doctrinal standards, powers, offices and representation. Using an argument from Thomas Frank’s book Polity, Practice, and the Mission of the United Methodist Church, I would argue that United Methodist Church polity functions as both discipline and connection. As United Methodists we have a book of polity called the Book of Discipline. Contained within are the constitution and doctrinal standards, along with our structures of organization and
In 1492, Christopher Columbus came across North America accidentally during his voyage to the East Indies. Columbus’s discovery marked the beginning of a new era; with it the Europeans became aware of the opportunities the New World offered. This encouraged others to set out and explore the North and South America in the 1500s. Although colonial America was governed under the British rule, it developed differently than Britain. Since Colonial America was diversified, it offered new opportunities, different religions, and different political views than Britain.
I sincerely hope my intentions in writing this message will not be misunderstood. Jesus was not a political figure, and I am not attempting to present Him in that manner. Nonetheless, the Bible does tell us that civil government is to be an instrument of God in bringing order to society (see Romans 13), and in order for it to accomplish this, it is important that it be modeled after the message and example of Jesus.
In history, governments have endeavored to rule their subjects. Major forms of authority consist primarily of monarchy, absolute monarchy, oligarchy, democracy, tyranny, theocracy, and republic. By examining the main faults of each government, the republic is clearly the superior form.
- this may be achieved through a parliamentary system of government or a constitutional monarchy of through the separation of governmental powers into agencies such as executive, legislative and judiciary, the classical example being the U.S, government
If that is the realm that the government controls, then what authority should the church practice over people? The answer is none over unbelievers (for that is God’s position to judge), but we are to hold those within the church accountable to God’s Word (1 Cor. 5:9-12). After all, will we not one day experience the perfect unity of religion and government in Christ’s perfect Kingdom? Stead aptly sums up what can bring about a true change in a society and a nation as he says “Believers need to be reminded that there can be no healthy or lasting change of social structures without a redemptive change in people, which is why Christ came two thousand years ago.” (52)
Acts helps show how the early church coped with the Roman government, along with pagan and Jewish thought.
There is a witticism about Unitarian Universalism that begins, “Do you belong to an organized religion?” To which the congregant replies, “No, I’m a Unitarian Universalist.” As with most jokes, there is an element of truth to the wisecracking punchline. Unitarian Universalism is a non-dogmatic, creedless religion that embraces a diverse theology—including meaningful traditions from a number of faith systems, along with an appreciation of a variety of holy texts. Conversely, Unitarian Universalism also appeals to those who eschew any faith traditions, including secular humanists, atheists, and agnostics. Despite being a religion that welcomes everyone to their table,
The men who founded the legislature of our country had seen first hand the difficulties that church and state partnerships could create in Europe. The consequences of this partnership are the main reason a secular government was created in the United States. During the colonial period, alliances between religion and government produced oppression and tyranny on our own shores. Many colonies, for example, had laws limiting public office positions to Trinitarian Protestants. While some colonies had officially established churches and taxed all citizens to support them. Dissenters faced many obstacles of persecution.
Religious influence has always been part of the American Government since the beginning. Even in the earliest history of the creation of our Government with the Declaration of Independence God is mentioned in the first paragraph. Though religion over the past two centuries has proven to be an influence on the United States government the influence has a relatively good standing. Religious influence in State and law has been a medium in the beginning of the governmental system but still set influence. The influence though pertained to the religion and idealism of the individuals carrying it ...
The system of government we have today was starting to developed centuries ago by the Athenians and Romans. Both governments were established with the intent to give power to the people, even though it did not always play out that way in society. The Athenian democracy and the Roman republic were two very different governments in practice, but also maintained similar characteristics in both systems of government.
Because aristocratic families in ancient Rome did not want a government dominated by one ruler, they overthrew the king to avoid losing their own power and established the Roman Republic in 509 B.C. In this new government, the idea was that an entire community of people would take part in the government. Though it was to include all citizens, it was dominated by the patricians: the elite, noble and upper class of Rome, with the plebeians (anyone who wasn 't a patrician) bringing up the rear. Structurally, this government consisted of patricians, who would be in the highest seats of the government, such as consuls and senators, and the plebeians, with a lesser say in government matters and banned from holding political office, were members of an assembly, effectively choosing the aforementioned consuls from the senate, leaving most of the benefits from this structure for the patricians.
government that allowed for most of the power to be under the control of the state
Greece, originally ruled by an oligarchy ("rule of the few"), operated under the premise that those selected to rule were selected based not upon birth but instead upon wealth. Eventually, however, Greek government became democratic. Rome, on the other hand, was a republic that elected its officials, and common citizens were not allowed as many opportunities as Athenians to participate in matters of the state. While Greece had branches of government to represent citizens, Rome implemented branches of government to represent different components of society. For example, Rome had authorities to supervise public works projects, administer justice, supervise recreational activities and conduct a census (text). Rome, who, like Greece, was a polytheistic society, also appointed a priest for life who was in charge of the entire state's religion.
A government was required to lead the people and aid in organizing a city. City governments were far more powerful than the council of elders and local chiefs of farming villages. At first, Priest probably had the greatest. In time, warrior kings came to power as chief political leaders. They soon set themselves up as the chief hereditary ruler and passed their power from father to son. Governments soon became more complex as rulers issued laws, collected taxes, and organizes systems of defense. To enforce order, rulers relied on royal officials. Over time, government bureaucracies evolved. Almost always rulers claimed their power came from god or divine right. These rulers then gained religious power as well.