This document summarizes Norman Geisler's views on church government as presented in his book. It discusses the episcopal, presbyterian, and congregational views of church leadership. According to Geisler, the New Testament establishes elders as the primary church leaders, with deacons assisting them. However, the author disagrees with Geisler's position that only men can be elders or pastors, arguing this excludes women contrary to passages suggesting equality in Christ.

1. Norman Geisler
Systematic Theology
Chapter 73
“The Government of the Visible Church”
PowerPoint Prepared by Mark E. Hardgrove, Ph.D.

2. Chapter Outline
• Church Government in the New Testament
• Relationships and Functions of Elders, Deacons,
Apostles, Pastors, and the Congregation in the
New Testament Church
• Theological Basis for the Nature of the Local
Church
• The Historical Basis for the Nature of Church
Government
• Summary and Conclusions

3. Definitions
• Elder: From the Greek presbuteros, from
which we get the word presbyterian. It is a
form of government is one of elder authority.
• Bishop: From the Greek episcopos, from
which we get the word episcopalian. It is a
form of government ruled by the bishop, who is
considered higher than the elders.
•Assembly: From the Greekl ekklesia,
meaning “assembly.” In this form of
government the congregation is the final
authority.

4. Episcopal View
• Distinguishes the office of a bishop from
that of an elder, giving him authority over
the elders and the congregation.
• Examples: Roman Catholic, Eastern
Orthodox, Some Lutheran, Anglican,
Episcopal, and Methodist churches. Also
some smaller denominations.

5. The Presbyterian View
•A board of elders holds final authority on
the administration of church affairs. This
view sees elder and bishop as one office,
based on two different words—bishop from
a Greek background and elder from a
Hebrew background.
• Examples: Presbyterian churches,
Plymouth Brethren, growing number of
baptistic and independent churches
influenced by the Reformed tradition.

6. The Congregational View
• While it may have elders and/or deacons,
the congregational form view the final
authority as resting in the congregation
which must approve major matters relating
to faith and practice.
•Examples: Congregational, Free Baptist,
and many independent churches.

7. Church Government in the New Testament
• Doctrinally, the basis of the New
Testament church government was
apostolic: The church was built on the
foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Christ being the cornerstone
and the apostles being the living
authority.
• Geisler argues that there is not
apostolic succession and that apostles
were replaced by their.

8. Offices and Gifts
• The New Testament makes and important
distinction between an office and a gift.
• Gifts for ministry are given only by God:
apostleship, prophecy, evangelism, and
pastor/teacher are all gifts.
• Offices, on the other hand, are under the
domain of the local church which must find
people who meet the required qualifications
and then place them in office. The two primary
offices lifted up on the New Testament are elder
and deacon.
• The church determines offices, but does not
bestow gifts.

9. Overall Principle of Church Government
• In dealing with the Corinthian church, Paul
set forth the most basic principle beneath all
church government:
• “Everything should be done in a fitting and
orderly way” (1 Cor. 14:40).

10. Role of Elders in the New Testament
Church Government
• A Position of Authority: In the Jewish
community elder was a position of great
authority.
• A Position of Dignity: Elder was a position
of dignity (Prov. 31:23, 1 Kings 21:8).
• A Position of Maturity: The term elder
implies maturity (see also, 1 Tim. 5:1).
• A Position of Sagacity: The elder held a
position of wisdom (Ezek. 7:26)

11. The Location of Elders in the NT Church
• There were elders in Jerusalem (Acts
11:30; 15:2, 4, 6).
• There were elders in every city (Acts
20:17; Titus 1:5).
• There were elders in every local church
(Acts 14:23)

12. The Function of an Elder in the NT Church
• An Elder is an Overseer: See “bishop” in 1
Peter 2:25. Bishop means “overseer.”
• An Elder is a Ruler: Hebrews 13:17 states,
“Obey them that have rule over you,
and submit yourselves.”
• An Elder is an Undershepherd: Not
overlords, guide by example (1 Pet. 5:1-4)
• An Elder is a Teacher: The elder feeds
“the flock of God” (1 Tim. 3:2; cf. 2:24)
and must be able to teach (Titus 1:9).

13. The Function of an Elder in the NT Church
• An Elder is an Apologist: That is, a
defender of the faith (Phil. 1:17; Titus 1:9).
• An Elder is an Arbiter of Disputes (Acts
15:2; cf. 1 Cor. 6:1-4).
• An Elder is a Watchman: “They watch for
your souls, as they that must give
account . . .” (Heb. 13:17).

14. Dr. Mark Hardgrove’s reflection on
Geisler
• According to Geisler’s position, the elder
is the leader or pastor of the church, a
woman cannot be an elder, therefore, a
woman cannot be a pastor.
• I disagree. Though in the context to
which Paul writes a woman would not be
able to be an elder, even Paul writes that
in the kingdom there is “neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female, for you
are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).

15. Dr. Mark Hardgrove’s reflection on
Geisler
• Just as there would be no distinction
between Jews or Greeks in roles or
positions in the church, or giftings from
God, in the very same breath Paul states
that there is neither male nor female.
• To the extent that we are able to
understand the cultural context that
gave rise to the words of Paul for slaves
to obey their masters, and yet now reject
slavery, the same should be true of the
issue of man and woman.

16. Dr. Mark Hardgrove’s reflection on
Geisler
• Paul said that he did not to suffer a
woman to teach (1 Tim. 2:12), and in that
culture that may have been prudent, but
just as we now reject slavery, we should
also be able to reject the subjugation of
women, or the idea that women cannot
full participate fully in the kingdom of
God or the life of the church. Further,
note that Paul says “I do not permit a
woman to teach.” Those words are
descriptive, not prescriptive.

17. Dr. Mark Hardgrove’s reflection on
Geisler
• Therefore, I reject Geisler’s position, and the
position of denominations that deny women
full partnership in the life of the church.
• The argument of some is that if we make
cultural accommodation for women, then
what is to prevent the church from making
cultural accommodation for homosexuals?
Very simply, the Bible states that
homosexuality is a sin (1 Cor. 6:9, NIV), but
being woman is never considered a sin.
That is comparing apples and oranges.

18. The Interchangeability of the Terms:
Elder and Bishop
Both were a plurality in each church. There
were “elders in every church” (Acts 14:23; cf.
Phil. 1:1).
Bother had to have the same basic
qualifications (compare 1 Tim. 3:1-7 with Titus
1:6-9).
The terms were used interchangeably in the
same text (Titus 1:5-7).
Likewise the function was used interchangeably
by Peter (1 Peter 2:25; 5:1-2; see also Acts
20:17, 28)

19. Must every Church have Elders?
• Passages about elders/bishops are in a
didactic (teaching) context (e.g., 1 Tim. 3:16;
Titus 1:5).
• Paul tells Titus to appoint elders in every city.
• All the congregations were to have elders.
• The Philippian church had pluralities of elders
and deacons.
• Every church was to have elders (Acts 14:23)
• Languages on church government are
prescriptive.

20. Treatment of Elders
Elders should not be rebuked but entreated (1
Tim. 5:1-2)
Elders should be honored (1 Tim. 5:17)
Elders should not be unfairly accused (1 Tim.
5:19)
Elders should receive submission (1 Pet. 5:1, 5)
Elders should be obeyed (Heb. 13:17; Eph. 6:1)
Elders should be held up on prayer (Heb. 13:7)
Elders should be remembered (Heb. 13:24; Rom.
13:7)
Elders should be called upon for prayer (Ja. 5:14)

21. The Role of Deacons in the Church
• Origins of Deacons: Appointed to alleviate the
demands of the church upon the apostles so that
they could give themselves to the Word and to
prayer. They were tasked with helping to
administrate the benevolence effort of the
church.
• Qualifications of a Deacon: In 1 Timothy 3:8-13
Paul gives the qualifications of a deacon:
1) Worthy of respect, 2) sincere, 3) not given to wine,
4) not pursuing dishonest gain, 5) maintain faith with
a clear conscience, 6) must be examined for
worthiness, 7) not malicious talkers, 8) temperate, 9)
trustworthy, 10) married to one spouse, 11) manage
their household well.

22. Dr. Mark Hardgrove’s reflection on the
issue of gender.
• Again, Geisler will argue that they must be a man.
However, consider Romans 16:1-2
• 1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant[a] of the
church in Cenchrea. 2I ask you to receive her in the Lord
in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help
she may need from you, for she has been a great help
to many people, including me.
• The word translated “servant” is from the Greek
diakonos, which is the very same word translated
“deacon” elsewhere.

23. Dr. Mark Hardgrove’s reflection on the
issue of gender.
• Geisler states:
• “Paul called one woman a deacon in Romans
16:1 . . . Since the word deacon means
“servant,” there is not certainty as to whether
Phebe was an official deacon or an unofficial
servant.”
• Note that Geisler admits the uncertainty and
then he concludes that she was nothing more
than an “unofficial servant.” That’s quit a leap
from admitted uncertainty to virtual certainty on
his part. It is a leap I do not take with him.

24. The Relationships and Functions of Elders,
Deacons, etc.
• Deacons were created to assist the
elders.
• As subordinates they were to relieve the
elders of menial tasks so that the elders
could concentrate on prayer and
ministry of the Word of God (Acts 6:2).
• Elders were overseers of the church’s
doctrinal and spiritual matters.
• Deacons were assistants in charge of
the social and physical ministries.

25. The Role of Apostles
• Relationship of Apostles and Elders: All
apostles were elders, but not elders were
apostles.
• The Apostolic Role was Temporary: Or
so Geisler argues. As a cessationist, he
does not believe that the manifestational
gifts, or the gifts of apostle or prophet
continued after the church was established.
While the original Twelve were unique, Paul
is an example of an apostle who was not
one of the Twelve.

26. The Role of Apostles
• It is my position (Dr. Hardgrove) that
while the office of apostle may not have
continued in the official governmental
structure of the church, the gift of
apostle continues in the role of church
planters and missionaries in the
contemporary church.

27. The Role of Apostles
• Back to Geisler—Apostles were the
Early Church’s Final Authority: Not only
were they the foundation (Eph. 2:20), they
were also its ruling authority.
• Apostles were the Early Church’s
Source of New Revelation (Gal. 1:11-12).

28. The Role of the Congregation in the
Local Church
• The Congregation Screened Their Own
Membership
• The Congregation Chose Their Leaders
• The Congregation Exercised Church
Discipline
• The Congregation Made the Final Decision
in Cases of Offense
• The Congregation Commissioned
Missionaries
• The Entire Jerusalem Congregation was
Involved in a Doctrinal Decision

29. The Role of the Congregation in the
Local Church
• Elder Rule or Congregation?
• Alexander Strauch says:
“The New Testament does not indicate that
the congregation governs itself by majority
vote, and there is no evidence that God has
granted every member one equal vote with
every other member. Rather, the New
Testament congregation is governed by its
own congregational elders” (~ in Geisler).

30. Relationships Between the New
Testament Churches
• Earl Radmacher (in Geisler)
1. The local church has authority to judge its
own membership (1 Cor. 5:13)
2. The local church has authority to elect its
own officers (Acts 6:1-6)
3. The local church has authority to guard and
observe ordinances (1 Cor. 11:23)
4. The local church has authority to settle its
own internal difficulties (1 Cor. 6:1-5)

31. Relationships Between the New
Testament Churches
• Earl Radmacher (in Geisler)
5. The local church has authority in matters
involving the relationship of various
churches (Acts 15:1-2, 22-23, 25, 30)
6. All “Church Government in the NT applies
unto local bodies.
7. The authority of the local church is final as
far as its own affairs are concerned. There
is not higher court.
8. Voluntary cooperation and fellowship is
possible and desirable.

32. Lessons of John and the Seven
Churches of Asia Minor
• First, John never used his apostolic power to
override local church autonomy
• Second, John showed great respect for the pluraity
and autonomy of the churches.
• Third, John assumed that Christ was the visible
Head of these churches
• Fourth, and finally, the Holy Spirit, who indwells the
church is an all sufficient guide.
Observation by Dr. Hardgrove. Geisler argues very strongly for the
autonomy of the local church, but in doing so chooses to ignore several
key points in Acts and in Paul’s epistles where the church of Jerusalem
appears to have had influence in decisions made in regard to the local
Gentile congregations (see Acts 15; 21:25). Also note Titus 1:5.

33. Comparing and Contrasting
the Universal and the Local Church(es)
Universal Church Local Church(es)
Invisible Visible
One church Many churches
An organism An organization
Saved members Saved and lost members
Living and dead members Living members
Whole body of Christ Part of the body of Christ
Christ is visible Head in heaven Christ is invisible Head on earth
No elders or deacons Elders and deacons
No ordinances Ordinances
No denominations Many denominations
Indestructible Destructible