The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church

The Matter of Delegation

As we have already seen, the work of God grew, and in time there were not only local churches but groups of churches. Just as individuals constitute the membership of the local church, so the individual churches constitute the membership of the local conference or group of churches. In the local church each member has a vote in all the proceedings of the church; in the group of churches or conferences every member of the church does not have a vote. In the business meetings of the local church he does, but in the sessions of the local conference, representation is by delegation from the churches, and it is the delegates who have the right and privilege of voting. By an agreed plan the churches choose a certain number of individuals to serve as delegates to the local conference session. In this way every church is represented, and each church, through its delegates, has a voice in the affairs of the larger or wider organization. This also has been well expressed in the Testimonies: BSPC 166.1

“Every member of the church has a voice in choosing officers of the church. The church chooses the officers of the state conferences. Delegates chosen by the state conferences choose the officers of the union conferences, and delegates chosen by the union conferences choose the officers of the General Conference. By this arrangement every conference, every institution, every church, and every individual, either directly or through representatives, has a voice in the election of the men who bear the chief responsibilities in the General Conference.”Testimonies for the Church 8:236, 237. BSPC 166.2

The principle of representation through delegation is well established in the Scriptures. The following references will show how God spoke to the whole congregation of Israel through their leaders or elders: Exodus 3:15-18; 29-31; 12:21-28; 19:7, 8. BSPC 166.3

In like manner the Lord spoke by Joshua (Joshua 24:1, 2), and by Samuel in later years (1 Samuel 8:4). We see the apostles in the early days of Christianity doing likewise. (Acts 15:1, 4, 6; 20:17.) BSPC 166.4

Concerning the matter of voting at the time of the general councils of the church, note the following from the Testimonies: BSPC 166.5

“The council which decided this case was composed of apostles and teachers who had been prominent in raising up the Jewish and Gentile Christian churches, with chosen delegates from various places. Elders from Jerusalem and deputies from Antioch were present, and the most influential churches were represented. The council moved in accordance with the dictates of enlightened judgment, and with the dignity of a church established by the divine will. As a result of their deliberations, they all saw that God Himself had answered the question at issue by bestowing upon the Gentiles the Holy Ghost; and they realized that it was their part to follow the guidance of the Spirit. The entire body of Christians was not called to vote upon the question. The ‘apostles and elders,’ men of influence and judgment, framed and issued the decree, which was thereupon generally accepted by the Christian churches.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 196. BSPC 166.6

The churches responded to the decision of this general council, which evidently brought great joy and satisfaction to the hearts of all the church members. (Acts 15:30, 3l.) BSPC 167.1

“The broad and far-reaching decisions of the general council brought confidence into the ranks of the Gentile believers, and the cause of God prospered. In Antioch, the church was favored with the presence of Judas and Silas, the special messengers who had returned with the apostles from the meeting in Jerusalem. ‘Being prophets also themselves,’ Judas and Silas ‘exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.’”—The Acts of the Apostles, 197. BSPC 167.2