OFFICIAL POSITIONS

The church has no higher authority than Jesus and His word. He said “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18). There
are no official positions, powers or persons in His church possessing any authority to alter what He said or to order any person to submit to their rule
(Mt 20:25-28). There is no human head or earthly headquarters over His church (Eph 1:22f; Col 1:18). The autonomous local congregation is the largest organized entity in the Bible. His church may consist of
2 members or 20,000 members, with or without elders, is guided by Christ and His Word as the only authority in all matters religious.
The Lord’s eye-witness apostles revealed the only doctrine to be taught in every church (Mt 6:19; Jn 17:20f;
I Cor 4:17; 16:1-2; Jude 3). We have one High Priest,
Jesus (Heb 2:17; 7:14-17; 8:1). The highest office in the church is “bishop,” also called elder, overseer, shepherd. It is a work, not an ecclesiastical position
of authority to lord it over others (I Tim 3:1ff; Ac 20:28). They have no authority to legislate, write up or define doctrine. Period. They usurp authority if they teach one word in addition to or contrary to Christ’s word. They cannot proclaim disfellowship of any member by themselves. All members are priests, saints (I Pet 2:5-9; Rom 8:27; I Cor 1:2; Jude 3).

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