The Bible teaches that each local church is to be autonomous. That is, they are not answerable to another local church or council of churches. Elders are to shepherd the flock which is among them (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2). No man or group of men has been given authority in the New Testament to rule or govern any other congregation(s).
Sometimes though, the Bible teaching of local church autonomy is misapplied or abused by brethren. Many believe that autonomy means we cannot be critical of what another congregation practices or teaches. When a concerned brother does speak out against error or apostasy in another local church, “autonomy” is the club used to attack this man. After all, to speak out against the error or apostasy in another congregation is to violate that church’s autonomy. Really?
Did Jesus violate the autonomy of the seven churches of Asia (Revelation 2-3)? He spoke critically of the churches in Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, and Laodicea. He told John to send this letter containing condemnations of these local churches to each of these congregations, as well as two others (Revelation 1:11).
Did Paul violate the autonomy of various churches? He passed judgment on a situation in Corinth without even being there (1 Corinthians 5:3-5). He warned Timothy of Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Timothy 1:20), and later of Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17). These warnings were about men that were not where Paul was, but where Timothy was. The fact that Paul was not a part of the local congregation where Timothy was located did not stop him from warning Timothy.
Jesus is our supreme example (1 Peter 2:21). We are also to follow the example of Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 4:9). Can we follow their example in every way except this way?
Let us be reminded of what autonomy is: self-governance. Pointing out a false practice in another congregation does not exercise rule over that congregation. Exposing a false teacher that is among or is supported by another congregation does not usurp the authority of the eldership there.
Though there will be some who will be upset, there are times when brethren must expose doctrines held and practices engaged in by other local congregations. This is to stop the spread of error and apostasy. Sometimes, this needs to be done. Error and apostasy do not respect the man-made bounds of “autonomy” that some impose upon concerned brethren. The devil does not need for us to give him any further advantage.
