The Rightful Model of the Church Governance

According to Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, the meaning of theocracy can be explained as - to direct government of the nation of Israel by God Himself or His earthly representatives. Throughout the Bible, the understanding of God's rule on earth is vividly shown/ In Israel's early days, God ruled through men such as Moses, Aaron, and Joshua. Later, He ruled by using a group called judges and prophets of God. However, the people pf Israel demanded to have a king (1 Sam 8:5) to rule over their nation. God answered their prayer. As a result, theocacy has been replaced by monarchy.

One Bible commentator says that: "One of the purposes of the New Testament is to show God's kingly rule reestablished in Jesus Christ, the Prophet, Priest, and King appointed by God (Luke 24:19; Heb. 7:7:17; Rev. 19:16)." Hence, I think that the rightful model of church governance is theocratic governance.

From the Old to New Testament, God's original intention was that He would be the divine King to govern His own people. Nevertheless, in the New Testament, God has appointed the apostles to take care of the church for they were chosen by God as the earthly representatives. As for the church today, I believe that God has appointed pastors and deacons to take care of His people. It is because they have been called and elected by God. God's desire for church governance is indeed the theocratic governance for we are His people.

The Temple of the Holy Spirit

The church is the temple of the Holy Spirit. How does this teaching relate to us? At the Day of Pentecost, the church was birthed forth. The church is indwelt by the Spirit both individually and collectively. The Holy Spirit imparted His life to the church.

Now through the indwelling of the Spirit, firstly, the nature of the Spirit would be found in the church such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness self-control. So we could cultivate the “fruit of the Spirit “by allowing Him to work in us. Secondly, Holy Spirit is the One that conveys power to the church and us to be witnesses for Jesus Christ. Lastly, when the Holy Spirit dwells in the church, He would help us to be sensitive to the leading of the Lord.