CHURCH ORGANIZATION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT A. ELDERS TO OVERSEE THE LOCAL CONGREGATION... 1. A congregation, once fully developed, would have elders - cf. Ac 14:23; Tit 1:5 2. These elders were also called bishops and pastors a. Elders (Grk., presbuteros, presbyter) for they were older men b. Bishops (Grk. episkopos, overseer) for their task was to oversee the congregation - cf. Ac 20:17,28; 1Pe 5:1-2 c. Pastors (Grk. poimen, shepherd) for their task was to shepherd and feed the flock of God - cf. Ac 20:17,28; 1 Pe 5:1-2 -- Not three distinct offices, but different ways to describe the men and their work (cf. Eastons Bible Dictionary, Moody Handbook of Theology) 3. Elders were appointed only after meeting stringent qualifications a. The qualifications are listed in 1Ti 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9 b. Note that they must be... (no exceptions), e.g.... 1) Husband of one wife (Supposed to be males, Husband...) 2) With faithful children -- Such qualifications prepared them for their role - cf. 1 Ti 3:5 4. In every congregation with elders, there was always a plurality, never just one a. There were elders in every church - Ac 14:23 b. The church in Jerusalem had elders - Ac 15:2,4,6,22-23; 16:4; 21:18 c. The church at Ephesus had elders - Ac 20:17; 1Ti 5:17 d. There were to be elders in every city - Tit 1:5 e. When one was sick and wanted prayer, they were to call for the elders - Jm 5:14 f. Younger people were to submit to the elders - 1Pe 5:5 -- We never read of just one elder or bishop over one church or group of churches 5. The authority of the elders to oversee was limited... a. They were to take heed to the flock of God among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers - Ac 20:28 b. They were to shepherd the flock of God which is among you - 1Pe 5:2 -- No elder (bishop, pastor) or group of elders had any authority beyond their local congregation! B. DEACONS TO SERVE THE ELDERS AND THE CONGREGATION... 1. These were servants (Grk., diakonos, servant, minister) who assisted the elders in the work of the church 2. Their qualifications are found in 1Ti 3:8-13 3. The work they do is a very noble one - 1Ti 3:13 4. While not identified as deacons per se, the seven men appointed to serve tables may have been prototypes of the service rendered - Ac 6:1-6 5. If so, then deacons are certainly ministers of mercy C. THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION ITSELF... 1. Commonly called saints (Grk., hagios, holy one) in the New Testament - cf. 1Co 1:2; Php 1:1 2. Also called disciples, Christians, believers, etc. 3. Among such members there may have been evangelists and teachers - Ep 4:11 a. Evangelists took the gospel to the lost b. Teachers instructed and edified the members c. Note: Those commonly referred to as preachers or ministers... 1) May do the work of both evangelist and teacher - e.g., 2Ti 4:5; 2:2 2) But whether they serve as evangelist, teacher, preacher, or minister, within the local church they likewise submit to the oversight of the elders 3) I.e., there is no indication they had evangelistic oversight or authority akin to that given to the bishops (elders, pastors) 4) They were to take heed to the word, whereas elders were to take heed to the flock - cf. 1Ti 4:16; Ac 20:28 Thanks for reading, thanks for liking... There is always a blessing in reading and studying the word of God... God bless us all... From the Admin: THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 01:01:09 +0000
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