The Polity, Explained
Appendix 15. The Polity of The Church from The Free Church Report
ARTICLE I - Congregations
Each congregation’s board and constituency consists of the entirety of the body of elders of that congregation. The only authority of the minister of the congregation is in his choice to sanction by service the decision of the whole body of elders in assembly. The assembly of ministers forms an altar of living stones upon which the sacrifices of the congregation are delivered in the name of the LORD:
Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
Ephesians 4:4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
ARTICLE II - Seat of Authority
Each elder holds authority over his household, as Christ holds authority over the Church, through his humble service to his household. Each elder meeting in assembly must consider the needs of his household first and the needs of the congregation second bearing in mind:
Romans 12:5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another.
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.
Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Leviticus 25:10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.
ARTICLE III - Conscience of the Church
Ministers are answerable in conscience only to God and the performance of his service. The individual elders give support to their minister “according to his service”:
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Numbers 7:5 Take [it] of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.
1 Corinthians 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
ARTICLE IV - The Church is the possession of God
Ministers shall be separate from the world. The congregation shall be in the process of repentance from their bondage as an example to the world:
Leviticus 20:26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD [am] holy, and have severed you from [other] people, that ye should be mine.
Leviticus 22:2 Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name [in those things] which they hallow unto me: I [am] the LORD.
Leviticus 20:24 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I [am] the LORD your God, which have separated you from [other] people.
Leviticus 15:31 Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that [is] among them.
Matthew 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
ARTICLE V - Servants of the Kingdom and Mankind
Deacons and ministers shall serve their constituency, the households of the people and all people, with charity, love and faith, to bring blessings upon the congregation and all mankind:
Deuteronomy 14:29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Deuteronomy 14:27 And the Levite that [is] within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
ARTICLE VI - Bishops and Archbishops
Duties of Bishops and Archbishops are to serve their constituents in the mission and purpose of the Church for the good of the congregation, leading all men to freedom under God, the Father:
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Leviticus 25:10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.
Psalms 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 23:9 And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Phil. 3:16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same things.
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
ARTICLE VII - Church RITUALS AND CEREMONIES
There are two aspects of rituals: service and sacrifice in charity and love. The Church established by Jesus Christ sacrifices all its resources in the service of mankind according to the Word, Way and Will of the Most High God the Father and His obedient Son. Services as acts of worship include but are not limited to any activity that is a true service to the people: Healing and caring for the sick; teaching the truth; distributing knowledge; cleansing the soul, body and minds of the congregation of envy, hate, ignorance, apathy, avarice...; Baptism and the washing of feet. Distribution of Charity; breaking of bread. The unification of the brotherhood of man into one accord through arbitration and a holy kiss of love and patience with the nature of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Assisting in the daily administration of the fatherless and homeless.
Our ceremonies are also a part of the services and are often symbolical as prescribed by law, custom, or authority established by the lineal consanguinity of the ancient forefathers from Adam to Noah and Shem to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph... the Children of Israel unto David and the highest son of David, the Messiah, Lord and King. Those ceremonies guide the members of the body in their outward conduct concerning important matters, as in the performance of duties, transaction of affairs of state, including but not limited to Letters or documents of recognition and identification, and the celebration, recording and recognition of notable events, including but not limited to birth, rebirths, adoptions, marriages and deaths, as well as the anointing of ministers, bishops and archbishops.
Romans12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
ARTICLE VIII - The objective of the Church
The peaceful arbitration of disputes of those who seek to live in the Kingdom of Heaven. And the peaceful intervention between the adversaries of the Kingdom and its citizens, advancing peace throughout the world.
Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Psalms 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Malachi 2:6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house.
Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead.
ARTICLE IX - Preaching the good news of the Kingdom.
The deeds, words and presence of the ministers and servants of the Church should manifest the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, established by Jesus to receive, preserve, and propagate His doctrines and ordinances.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;
Matthew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
ARTICLE X - The prime directive of the Church.
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Matthew 20:25-27
But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. Mark 10:42
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; Luke 22:25
John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Appendix 16. General Terms: The Church of Free Church Report
Anoint. Anointing of a ministers is done by another Minister of ministers and is signified by the administration of oils after a great deal of prayer, meditation and personal experience with the novitiate and consultation among the Brethren.
Appoint. Ministers of the Church may be chosen by a constituency but they must be appointed by preexisting members of the Church. Appointment is usually consummated by testimony in words written or spoken and sanctified by the act of anointing with oils. Officers of Church altars may be appointed but not anointed as sanctified members of the Church.
Polity. The polity of each congregation should strive to be in one accord with all other congregation through the precept upon precept, age after age. This is the role of the ministers, bishops and archbishops in communion with the ministers. God is judge.
Congregation. A congregation is a group acting in one accord. It is usually composed of groups of families which may be served by one minister. The minister is a member of the Church, the body of the clergy. Each family’s spokesmen is its elder or their representative. Two or more elders form a congregation, more than twenty-four may be to many while 10 to 12 are generally thought to be ideal. Any gathering of congregations is also a congregation in assembly.
The individual congregations should be linked in Spirit and in practical and real ways by the communion of their Ministers in a congregation within the Church with the help and service of the Bishops and Archbishops.
Elder. An Elder is often older and experience, usually holding a position of respect, a father and husband by experience, the head of a family by status. An elder is chosen by each family group by decision or status. It is from the elders that the Ministers of the Church are usually chosen for appointment by the Church.
Presbyter. The Greek word presbuteros is used in the New Testament for people who perform the functions of clergy in the Church but are not appointed members. Presbuteros means elder.
Acolyte. Acolyte comes from the Greek word for follower. A lay person who is a student of the Church in hopes of being of service and one day receiving an appointment as a member.
Clergy. Clergy are the members of the Church, mostly Deacons/ministers, bishops, ... They are members of the Church for the purpose of ministering their constituency, the Kingdom of God on earth and people in general everywhere.
Minister or Deacon: The word deacon comes from the Greek word diakonos, which means servant or Ministers. Minister is the Latin word for doer of little deeds. Minister is a generic term that includes all who serve others whether deacon, bishop, archbishop...
Bishop. A Bishop is a Minister. Bishop is the English version of the Greek word episkopos, which means overseer. He is a Servant of Ministers. Bishops are chosen by unanimous agreement of two or more Ministers from amongst themselves and appointed by another Bishop before the witness of others and anointed to that office. The congregation has not a determination in the choice of Bishops but in return the bishops have no authority or direct obligation to the congregation. His obligation is to the Ministers who have chosen him. [See qualifications]. His office extends no farther than the ministers who have chosen him. His authority is titular and his duty is to serve.
Archbishop. An Archbishop is a Minister. The word archbishop is Greek for chief overseer. [See qualifications] Archbishops are chosen by unanimous agreement of two or more Bishops from amongst themselves or two or more Archbishops from among themselves and appointed and anointed by another Archbishop before the witness of others and anointed to that office. His office extends no farther than the Bishops who have chosen him. His authority is titular and his duty is to serve.
Priest. A priest is a Minister. Priest is the English word that originated from the Greek word presbyteros, which means elder. But a priest is an elder of his family with in the Church and Minister to ministers. The Greek word for a temple functionary is hierarch. A true priest has become a master at being a servant and the testimony of this is that he has been chosen by servants to be a servant of servants.
Pastor. Pastor is the Latin word for shepherd. A pastor is the officiate but not the owner of a particular congregation. His authority is titular and his duty is to tend to particular needs of the congregation or tasks thereof directed by them and to create unity among the whole body.
Support of Ministers and Bishops and Archbishops. Support is given “according to their service” by the constituency or congregations or the general population.
Numbers 7:5 Take [it] of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
1 Peter 2:17 Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Qualifications of Ministers and Bishops and Archbishops.
Numbers 3:12-13 And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; Because all the firstborn [are] mine; [for] on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I [am] the LORD.
Numbers 3:45 Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I [am] the LORD.
Numbers 8:14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
Numbers 18:23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.
Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.
Leviticus 19:34 [But] the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. [see bishop]
1 Timothy 3:8-13 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Unanimous: Each congregation makes decisions ideally with unanimous agreement.
I Cor. 1:10. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Phil. 2:2. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Phil. 3:16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same things.
Rituals. Rituals of or pertaining to rites or ritual; as, ritual service or sacrifices; the ritual law which is defined "Duly and formally; legally; properly; technically." These rites and rituals may differ in form but technically fulfill the same purpose and substance of most fundamental ordinances and ordinations; observances and duties; functions and ministrations; confirmations, consecration and communion; and recognition of births, matrimony and burials.
Ceremony. Ceremonies are the outward sign of a rite or ritual. It should be an open and visible witness to those concerned and the community of man and recognizably consistent for the purposes of giving evidence of an event related to a given rite.
Church. In its most general sense, the religious society founded and established by Jesus Christ, to receive, preserve, and propagate His doctrines and ordinances.
A body or community of Christians, united under one form of government by the profession of one faith, and the observance of the same rituals and ceremonies. Black’s L. D.
The Church includes the Brethren, Ministers and Bishops and Archbishops, as a body within the Polity of the Church to maintain and entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven for all the people who seek to obey the Father and do His will.
Sacrifice. An act of offering something precious; given up of oneself or one’s interest for others or for a cause or ideal. Voluntarily giving up what one does have, to give for the benefit of others, individual charity. The ministers are to manage the sacrifices of the congregation as the extended arm of community in charity, faith and hope.
Worship. Worship as a title is used for a person of importance such as magistrates and some mayors. Worship is translated from the Hebrew ‘shachah’ meaning to bow down before superior in homage and the Greek proskuneo literally meaning “to kiss the hand” and is used to express homage shown to men beings of superior rank.
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