Proposition 2: The Scriptures teach that the elders of a local church are authorized to assemble privately to make decisions in matters of judgment for the local church before and without calling together the whole congregation.
Proposition: "Resolved: The scriptures teach that the elders of a local church are authorized to assemble privately to make decisions in matters of judgment for the local church before and without calling together the whole congregation."
Definitions: "The scriptures," the 66 books of the Bible. "Teach," instruct by commands, approved examples or divine implications. "Elders," men who are scripturally authorized and appointed (1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1) over each local church (Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2). "Local church," the congregation in a given locality in its corporate entity (Phil. 1:1). "Authorized," empowered, permitted. "To assemble," meet in their eldership capacity (Acts 20:17). "Privately," (Gk: idios) "pertaining to one’s own; to do one’s own business (1 Thes. 4:11), apart (Mt. 24:3)" (Thayer, p. 296-7). "To make decisions," come to a conclusion. "In matters of judgment," distinct from matters of faith. "For the local church," represent, act on behalf of, in the interest of the local congregation. "Before," in advance of. "And without," lacking, in the absence of. "Calling together," summoning, requesting. "The whole congregation," the ekklesia.