What does Acts 6 say about congregational government?

Congregationalists (those that believe that the church should vote on everything) often argue against Elders (the Biblical model of church government - more on that later) by pointing to Acts 6, specifically verses 2-6.


Here's what James MacDonald has to say in response to those verses...

"...In the matter of Acts 6 we have Elders delegating decision making to people with in the church. Still the decision to have deacons, what their qualifications would be and the final approval of those the congregation brought forward (implied) all rested with the Elders. This is a wonderful model isn’t it. At Harvest we frequently speak of congregational accountability. We invite the church to submit names of those they believe would serve well as elders and we communicate direction to the congregation and seek their input. None of those things come close to what I am refuting as congregational government. Thanks for your input, more than two cents for sure. I was believing that those in a moderated form of government where the congregation participates but does not rule or have final authority would understand my critique was not of them. Thanks for encouraging me to qualify, James"

I completely agree with James.   Here is a great article about church government titled Congregational Government is from Satan  before you get to worked up by the title consider that it is somewhat tongue in cheek although there is an ounce of truth to it.


Here are the primary references supporting plurality of Elders:  I Peter 5, Titus 2, I Corinthians, Acts 20:28, I Timothy 3:1-8 & 11,  Acts 14:23, I Timothy 5:17.


An excerpt from DesiringGod.org from a message from John Piper regarding reasons to consider bishop/overseer as equivalent to elder in the New Testament Church...

Bishop/OverseerFour reasons to consider bishop/overseer as equivalent to elder in the New Testament church:

1. Compare Titus 1:5 with 1:7 where bishop/overseer and elder are apparently interchangeable terms.

1. In Acts 20 Paul calls the "elders" to come down from Ephesus. Then he says to them in verse 28 that God has made them "overseers/bishops" among the flock. So the elders are the bishops/overseers in Ephesus

1. In 1 Timothy 3:1 Paul says, "If any one aspires to the office of bishop/overseer, he desires a noble task." Then he gives the qualifications for the overseer/bishop in verses 2–7. Unlike the deacons, the overseer must be "able to teach" (v. 2) and in v. 5 he is said to be one whose management of his own household fits him to care for God's church. These two functions are ascribed to elders in 1 Timothy 5:17—teaching and governing. So it is very likely that in Paul's mind the bishops/overseers of 1 Timothy 3:1–7 are the same as the elders of 5:17.

1. In Philippians 1:1 Paul writes "to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops/overseers and deacons." These then seem to be the two offices of the church just as in 1 Timothy 3:1–13. But Paul appointed elders in all the churches (Acts 14:23) and so it is very likely that the elders of the church at Philippi were the bishops/overseers referred to in Philippians 1:1.

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website:desiringGod.org 

Here is another message by John Piper as his church transitioned to Elders.
How much authority should elders have?  Should the congregation still vote on any matters?  Just matters of confirmation?  Church budget?  Interesting questions we'll explore in the future!