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Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists

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level than that <strong>of</strong> the local church are necessary. In<br />

this case the decision <strong>of</strong> the council grew out <strong>of</strong> the<br />

agreement reached by the representatives <strong>of</strong> all<br />

parties involved (Acts 15:22, 25).<br />

The New Testament makes it clear that as the<br />

need arose God guided the leadership <strong>of</strong> His work.<br />

With His direction, and in counsel with the church,<br />

they formed a church government that, if followed<br />

to<strong>day</strong>, will help safeguard the church from<br />

apostasy and enable it to fulfill its great<br />

commission.<br />

Biblical Principles <strong>of</strong> Church Government<br />

1. Christ is the head <strong>of</strong> the church<br />

Christ's headship over the church is based<br />

primarily on His mediatorial work. Since His<br />

victory over Satan on the cross, Christ has been<br />

given "'all authority'" in "'heaven and on earth'"<br />

(Matt. 28:18). God has put "all things under His<br />

feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the<br />

church" (Eph. 1:22; cf. Phil. 2:10, 11). He is<br />

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