Chapter 13: The Ministry, Church Order, and Religious Liberty
We believe Christ has called and gifted leaders to equip the church. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Elders were appointed in every church (Acts 14:23), and Scripture sets qualifications for overseers and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). Leaders are to shepherd the flock willingly and be examples to it (1 Peter 5:2-3). Women served prominently in the New Testament, and the Spirit was poured out on “your sons and your daughters” (Acts 2:17-18; Romans 16:1-3; Philippians 4:3).
Believers owe respect to civil authority (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13), yet “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Christ taught the distinction of the two spheres: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).
Where the traditions stand. Evangelical Baptists hold that each local church governs itself under Christ, and have historically defended freedom of conscience and the separation of church and state. The Assemblies of God and Foursquare are cooperative fellowships of churches with ordained ministers and shared standards. Churches differ on the ordination of women: the Assemblies of God and Foursquare ordain them; many Baptist churches do not.
Carry this verse: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).