Paul left Titus in Crete to organize the believers into local church bodies and to “set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city” (verse 5). The local New Testament church is a microcosm of the complete body of church in heaven and earth. The word “church” is used over one hundred times in the New Testament, and the great majority of the references refer to the local congregation.

STUDY:
Organization in the local church is seen in:
(1) It's Officers.
He gave to the church "apostles" "prophets", "evangelists, and "pastors and teachers" (Eph.4: 11, 12). Pastors and teachers are local ministers; the apostles, prophets, and evangelists are ministers at large.

Another offIcer is the deacon. His qualifications are set forth in First Timothy (1Tim. 3:8-13). Deacons are never called a board in the Scriptures. They are not to run the church; they are ordained to assist the pastor by ministering to the saints (Acts 6:1-7).

(2) It's Membership Records. The church must have kept some records of its member's .The Book of Acts tells us that there were about 120 in the upper room. The account (Acts 1:15-26) reads like the average local church business meeting. Simon Peter is the pastor; he takes the lead and gives direction in choosing one to take the place of Judas. "And they cast their lots" and Matthias was chosen to be an apostle. On the day of Pentecost about 3,000 were added to the body of Christ by Holy Spirit baptism (1Cor. 12:13) and to the local church in Jerusalem by water baptism (Acts2: 41). Again the records show another 5,000 added (Acts 4:4). The Scriptures tells us "the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47).

(b) The LORD'S SUPPER.
This is to be celebrated by the believers only. It is a memorial. The bread is symbolical of His broken body and the wine of His shed blood for the remission of our sins. Baptism identifies the believer with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection; and the Lord's supper is a memorial to be observed by the believer to “proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes”( 1 Cor.11:23-34).

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