A- Autonomy of Local Churches. Tonight we will continue to think about authority. Last time we looked at how our church should submit to Biblical Authority. But at the same time, each local church is to be autonomous, or “self governing,” under Christ. This does not mean each church decides for itself what is true doctrine - doctrine must be established from the Scriptures. But it does mean Christ is the Head of each local church. This has been often challenged when outside organizations attempt to dictate to a church what to believe or how to conduct its ministry. Secular governments sometimes exert such pressure. Baptists have resisted, holding fast to the belief in religious freedom. A threat to autonomy from within a church surfaces when the members do not exercise biblical principles and give in to pressures from outside organizations. We are all responsible to God. Church members ought to overcome any apathy, ignorance or fear that would cause them to abandon the cherished, biblical concept of autonomy. Tonight we will be singing, “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” and “Blest Be the Tie that Binds.”