Download or read book Churches Of God In Christ Usa Official Manuel written by Bishop J.L. Payne and published by Church House Pub. This book was released on 2004 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Manuel for Ministers and Local ChurchesBuilding the Local Churches in their structure with others in fellowshipLocal Churches maintaining their AutonomyAutonomy Autonomy is independence and self-government. It is each local church separately submitting, spiritually speaking to the Headship of Jesus and doing the work that God has assigned to the local church, with the ability and means available, preaching and edification (I Timothy 3:15, Ephesians 4:16; Acts 13:1). Submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord, bond of Peace establishing New Testament order, structure, and pattern. The general church is important in serving its role as a body of churches universally. Autonomy is not having a central or controlling board to maintain the doctrinal and moral purity of each local church within that union (this is denominationalism). Such a practice is a violation of the autonomy taught in the scriptures and the New Testament church. A local church must be challenged if they believe and practice a false teaching or doctrine contrary to scriptures and New Testament church. Christ as head of the church challenges such actions done in His name. The blessing of brothers and churches in fellowship gives accountability. We are able to answer to one another, thus giving protection and support in ministry worldwide. We must have the right to reveal and challenge the word in us to help us. This practice is seen throughout the New Testament. This is not a violating of our autonomy! It is obvious that God designed autonomy in both the local and universal church to be a safeguard. When one local church went astray, it did not automatically affect other local churches, even when they were in the same geographic area. For instance, Pergamos held the false doctrine of the Nicolatians, but this did not affect the other six churches within the same region as Pergamos (Revelation 2:3). We must appreciate the fact that the false beliefs of Pergamos were revealed and challenged by John and Jesus to the knowledge of the local church at Ephesus, Smyrna, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. A violation of autonomy would have been for the local church at Ephesus to demand, as a church, that Pergamos repent and conform. Preachers, in the epistles were repeatedly seen exposing and challenging error in local churches where they were not a member. Autonomy is meant to be protection against group alliance contamination, but not exemption from liable accountability, and responsibility of actions. The challenge against error or exposure of sin and false doctrine must always be maintained in preaching the pure gospel! We must answer to the gospel we preach in our churches and the world. The truth is that the autonomy of local churches in the early church of the First Century is clear. The history of these primitive churches total commitment to the risen Lord gave them the Power to turn the world upside down, thus right side up. They established fully Christs presence in the earth a local and universal order."