Introduction:
A. The church is not so much an organization as it is an organism.
B. “God is not a God of confusion but of peace…” (1 Cor. 14:33).
C. There are many different styles of organization in religious groups today.
D. Jesus is the “head over all things to the church, which is His body…”
(Eph. 1:22-23).

I. The Truth about Jesus
A. He is the truth (Jn. 14:6).
B. Without Him, we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5).
C. With Him, we can handle anything (Ph. 4:13).
D. His truth sets us free from our sins (Jn. 8:32).
E. His words are “eternal life” (Jn. 6:68).
F. God’s “word is truth” (Jn. 17:17).
G. He is “the Word” who “became flesh” (Jn. 1:1, 14).
H. Truth “is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:21).
I. He is the anchor of our hope (Hb. 6:19) and the One upon whom we must “fix [our] eyes” (Hb. 12:2).
J. He alone provides the unifying motive and purpose in our lives (Ph 1:21;
Rm. 14:7-8).
K. He is the One to whom we must “draw near with confidence…so that we may receive and find grace to help in time of need” (Hb. 4:16)

II. The Truth about the Devil
A. He is “a liar and the father of lies” (Jn. 8:44).
B. He is the one “who deceives the whole world…” (Rev. 12:9).
C. His is “the power of darkness” (Lk. 22:53).
D. He is the “god of this world” who blinds “the minds of the unbelieving”
(2 Cor. 4:4).
E. He “disguises himself as an angel of light” and “his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness…” (2 Cor. 11:14-15).
F. The “whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 Jn. 5:19).
G. “Many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1).

III. The Truth about Church Organization
A. Christ is the head of the church (Col. 1:18; Hb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 5:4).
B. Elders are appointed in every church (Acts 14:23).
C. Elders are overseers and shepherds (Acts 20:17, 28).
D. Elders must meet qualifications (1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9).
E. Deacons may be appointed to carry out specific works.
F. Deacons must meet qualifications (1 Tim. 3:8-18; Acts 6:1-3).
G. Deacons, members, and preacher serve under elders (1 Pet. 5:1-3).
H. Shepherds exercise authority only over their own congregation.
I. Elders must not lord it over the flock but prove to be examples.