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Rom 12:4 . . . For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
All Christians do not have the same calling or function, but all Christians have the same responsibility to be servants of Christ. Leaders of the church are to be faithful to instruct the believers in the Word of God and to lead them by example. Leaders are given to the church for the perfecting of the members of the body of Christ that is to bring them to spiritual maturity. It is a serious thing to be a spiritual leader in the church of God, to be a watchman and a faithful steward of God. Leaders are to give careful attention to, provide for, care for, and protect God’s people.
Jer 6:17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
2 Tim 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
2 Th 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
We are to know those who minister, we are to know their doctrine, teaching and their life. A Minister is an example in word and life.
Mat 20:25 - 28 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Minster = diakonos, (to run on errands); an attendant, i.e. (gen.) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); spec. a Chr. teacher and pastor (techn. a deacon or deaconess):--deacon, minister, servant.
· an attendant · a waiter · a Chr. teacher and pastor · a deacon or deaconess
The world prizes rank and position. In God's kingdom the highest calling is servant hood; rank and authority are of little value. Leaders are to serve with the same spirit as their Lord who gave His life for us. Leaders in Christ are to be servants of all.
Lets re-read
Mat 20:25 - 28 NLT But Jesus called them together and said, "You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."
1 Cor 12:18, 28 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1. Apostles
2. Prophets
3. Teachers
4. Miracles
5. Gifts of healing
6. Helps
7. Governments
8. Diversities of tongues
Apostles = a delegate; spec. an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ["apostle"] (with miraculous powers
· a delegate · an ambassador of the Gospel · officially a commissioner of Christ ["apostle"]
One sent forth, a sent one, one that lays the foundation, one that sets up new works, start new churches.
· One sent forth · a sent one · one that lays the foundation · one that sets up new works · start new churches
1 Cor 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
We now days call an apostle a missionary
Prophets = a foreteller ("prophet"); by anal. an inspired speaker
· a foreteller · an inspired speaker
A Prophet speaks by divine inspiration; the Prophet is one that sees things by the Spirit of God. The Prophets of the Old Testament were called seers. They would see and know things supernaturally for the Holy Spirit would come upon them and show them.
2 Ki 6:8 - 12 NLT When the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he would confer with his officers and say, "We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place." But immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, "Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there." So the king of Israel would send word to the place indicated by the man of God, warning the people there to be on their guard. This happened several times. The king of Aram became very upset over this. He called in his officers and demanded, "Which of you is the traitor? Who has been informing the king of Israel of my plans?" "It's not us, my lord," one of the officers replied. "Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!"
The danger for Israel was revealed to Elisha the servant of God.
Teachers = an instructor (gen. or spec.):--doctor, master, teacher.
Miracles = spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself
Gifts = (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (spec.) a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subj.) religious qualification, or (obj.) miraculous faculty
Healings = a cure (the effect)
Helps = relief, support
Governments = directorship (in the church) Those who possess knowledge to steer the body of Christ and guide.
Diversities of tongues = "kin" born, country (-man), diversity, generation, kind (-red), nation, offspring, stock. the tongue; by impl. a language (spec. one naturally unacquired)
Eph 4:4-13 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Grace = graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act , the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude
· graciousness (as gratifying) · manner or act · the divine influence upon the heart · its reflection in the life · including gratitude
Gave = bestow, bring forth
God gave or brought forth some Apostles, Prophets, evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers
1. perfecting = maturing for the maturing of the saints
2. work of the ministry = to serve for the toil of serving the saints
3. edifying = to build up for the building up of the saints
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Apostles = a delegate; an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (with miraculous powers)
Prophets = a foreteller ("prophet"); an inspired speaker
Evangelists = a preacher of the gospel
The word evangelist is used only three times
2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
An Evangelist brings the message of Christ to the lost, in its simplest form.
An Evangelist is a soul winner.
Pastors = a shepherd , one that feeds, one that tends the needs of the sheep
· a shepherd · one that feeds · one that tends the needs of the sheep
The word Pastor is you’d only once in the N.T.
The word pastor literally means a shepherd.
Jer 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
John 10:11 . . . I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Teachers = an instructor, to flow as water, to lay or throw (espec. an arrow. i.e. to shoot); fig. to point out (as if by aiming the finger)
· an instructor · to flow as water · to lay or throw · to point out
Prov 4:4,5 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Prov 22:6 NLT Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
Desire = to stretch oneself, i.e. reach out after (long for).
· to stretch oneself · reach out after
Bishop = a superintendent, i.e. Chr. officer in gen. charge of a (or the) church (lit. or fig.)
· a superintendent · officer · charge of the church
1 Tim 3:2-7 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
A) be blameless
B) the husband of one wife
C) vigilant
D) sober
E) of good behavior
F) given to hospitality
G) apt to teach
H) Not given to wine
I) no striker
J) not greedy of filthy lucre
K) patient
L) not a brawler
M) not covetous
N) One that ruleth well his own house, having his
children in subjection with all gravity
O) Not a novice
P) must have a good report of them which are without
Deacons = (to run on errands); an attendant, i.e. (gen.) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); spec. a Chr. teacher and pastor (techn. a deacon or deaconess
· to run on errands · an attendant · a waiter · teacher and pastor · a deacon or deaconess
1 Tim 3:8-13 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
also = likewise "first be proved"
A) be grave
B) not doubletongued
C) not given to much wine
D) not greedy of filthy lucre
E) Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience.
F) And let these also first be proved; " Not a
novice "
G) the husbands of one wife; ruling their children and their own houses well
A) be grave = solemn/serious
B) not slanderers
C) sober
D) faithful in all things
Titus 1:4-5 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Elders = presbus (elderly); older; a senior
· Presbus · older · a senior
Order = to straighten further, i.e. (fig.) arrange additionally.
· to straighten further · arrange additionally
Titus 1:6-9 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Bishop = a superintendent, i.e. Chr. officer in gen. charge of a (or the) church
· a superintendent · Officer · charge of a church
A) be blameless
B) the husband of one wife, having faithful
children not accused of riot or unruly
C) blameless, as the steward of God
D) not self-willed
E) not soon angry
F) not given to wine
G) no striker
H) not given to filthy lucre
I) a lover of hospitality
J) a lover of good men
K) sober
L) just
M) holy
N) temperate
O) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
(v.5) For this cause left I
thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the
things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every
city,
(v.7) For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God;
1 Pet 5:1,2 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Feed = to tend as a shepherd (or fig. supervisor).
Feeding the flock refers to the shepherd. The Greek word for feed is an extension of the Greek word for Pastor.
Acts 20:17, 28 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Paul, addressed the Ephesian "elders," reminded them that the Holy Spirit made them "overseers" to feed (pastor) the church of the Lord.
Titus 1:5-7 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Paul refereed to pastors, elders, and bishop as the same person.
Elder, Bishop, and Pastor are terms used to describe three different functions of the same leader, not three distinct ministerial offices.
Ordain = to appoint
WD = to put in order, decree, establish, to invest with the functions or office of minister
· to put in order · decree · Establish · to invest with the functions · office of minister
Acts 14:21-24 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
Titus 1:4, 5 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
From theses verses we see that Paul Ordained those that met the Qualifications.
Elders and bishops serve as pastors or shepherds of the churches, teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
1 Tim 5:22,24,25 NLT Never be in a hurry about appointing an elder. Do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Remember that some people lead sinful lives, and everyone knows they will be judged. But there are others whose sin will not be revealed until later. In the same way, everyone knows how much good some people do, but there are others whose good deeds won't be known until later.
Acts 6:2-4, 6 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
The church bears responsibility for those it ordains; therefore, it should do this with great care. Only those of proven character should be ordained. Leaders and all believers are responsible to God for all they do. Those called to be spiritual leaders are responsible in a special way for the spiritual welfare of all whom they serve. They are God's messengers, and their lives become models to be imitated by those who follow their leadership. They should exercise authority carefully, knowing they are responsible to God.
James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation
Luke 12:42 - 48 NLT And the Lord replied, "I'm talking to any faithful, sensible servant to whom the master gives the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk-- well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the unfaithful. The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it. "But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.
Jer 23:1 KJV and Jer 23:1 NLT Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
"I will send disaster upon the leaders of my people--the shepherds of my sheep--for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for," says the LORD.
Leaders are responsible and will be held accountable for their teaching and its effects on believers. Therefore, they will be subject to greater condemnation in the judgment. This holds true for anyone who assumes responsibility for the spiritual welfare of the congregation. Leaders should be characterized by wisdom and should be humble and not argumentative. Their teaching must be both sound and godly. Their life-styles must be in accord to what they profess.
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
2 Tim 2:1 - 4 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
1 Tim 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
The word of truth is entrusted to Gods servants, who are instrument of God to pass on the message to others, revealing Gods will.
2 Cor 3:5, 6 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
2 Cor 4:1 - 7 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
The authority of any leader in the church derives from the leader's own devotion to live out God's Word. Leaders must plainly teach God's truth rather than man's theories. They are to overcome the temptation to be self-promoting or self-serving. They must be backed by noble character.
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
