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Matthew 16: 13-18 Church requires a revelation of Jesus Christ. You can\'t get church right unless you get Jesus right. "You are the Christ" precedes Jesus\' mention of the church. "You are Peter.. and on this rock.. Peter = little stone, pebble Rock = large rock, cliff.   Psalm 127 "Unless the Lord buildes the house, those who build it labor in vain." Jesus owns the church, not us. "ekklesia" is used 114 time in the New Testament. Of those times, 90% refer to a specific local church. The local church is the emphasis of Scripture.   A Local church is under the headship of Jesus who gives its leaders to be responsible for its care and oversight. Heb 13:17. If everybody is in charge, then nobody is in charge. Jesus wants theocracy. Theocracy is when God chooses His leaders.  Acts 20:17,28 AND 1 Peter 5:1,2. The Local Church breaks down into 3 main roles. Elder- prebuteros- presbyter, Overseer - episkopos - Bishop, Pastor - poi men - Shepherd.  The function of Elders: ruling, decision making, pastoring, teaching. God\'s form of government is theocratic, meaning He chooses, raises up, and anoints leaders. Our responsibility to Him is to discern and recognize [using biblical parameters] who He is choosing. If we can trust the Lord with our eternity, we should be able to trust Him in the leaders that he appoints to the Local Church.