Offices in the church: Difference between revisions

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    (Created page with "{{Top of Page}} In Ephesians 4:11, Paul lists five offices; it was Jesus who gave some to be: #Apostles. #Prophets. #Evangelists. #Pastors. #Teachers. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul broadens the offices and overlaps them with various gifts: #‘First of all apostles.’ #‘Second prophets.’ #‘Third teachers.’ #‘Then workers of miracles.’ #‘Also those having gifts of healing.’ #‘Those able to help others.’ #‘Those with gifts of administration.’ #‘...")
     
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    =Offices in the church=
    In Ephesians 4:11, Paul lists five offices; it was Jesus who gave some to be:
    In Ephesians 4:11, Paul lists five offices; it was Jesus who gave some to be:
    #Apostles.
    #Apostles.
    Line 28: Line 29:


    In 1 Corinthians 12:14–27 Paul shows how various functions cohere with each other ‘that there should be no division in the body.’<ref>R. T. Kendall, Understanding Theology, Volume Two (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus, 2000), 309.</ref>
    In 1 Corinthians 12:14–27 Paul shows how various functions cohere with each other ‘that there should be no division in the body.’<ref>R. T. Kendall, Understanding Theology, Volume Two (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus, 2000), 309.</ref>
    ==Elders and bishops and pastors==
    These three terms are used interchangeably, and generally put on equal footing.
    There are three Greek words:
    #episkopoi: bishop; literally overseer.
    #presbuteroi: elder; an older man.
    #poimen: pastor; a shepherd.
    All these are used interchangeably.
    #Paul told Titus to appoint ‘elders’ (Tit. 1:5).
    #He then called them elders, or bishops (Tit. 1:7).
    #The elders at Ephesus were to be overseers (Acts 20:28).
    #Peter told the shepherds to be overseers (1 Pet. 5:2).
    #Bishops (elders) carried on the work of the apostles.
    #We saw above: teachers succeeded apostles; so too bishops.
    #Paul taught Titus (a bishop) to appoint bishops who could ‘encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it’ (Tit. 1:9).
          c.      A bishop must be ‘able to teach’ (1 Tim. 3:2).
    ==Deacons==
    The Greek word, diakonoi, literally means servant, deputy or attendant. Deacons were appointed by apostles (Acts 6:3–4) but were also chosen by the people (Acts 6:5).
    They were to make the work of the apostles easier as seen in Acts 6:2–4:
    :''So the twelve called the whole group of the disciples together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables. But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this necessary task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005), Ac 6:2–4.</ref>
    Thus, we see that the apostles were to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. The deacons were to take care of the matters that arose that would divert the apostles from preaching and teaching.
    Deacons were not required to teach or preach (1 Tim. 3:8–14). However, Stephen was a powerful teacher (Acts 6:9–11; Acts 7) and Philip was an evangelist and powerful preacher (Acts 8:5, 26–40).
    Some argue that Romans 16:1-2 means a woman can be a deacon.  In the Greek, diakonon, means "deacon" or "deaconess":
    :''Let me introduce to you our sister Phoebe. She is a deacon in the church at Cenchreae. 2I want you to welcome her in the Lord, as is proper for one of God’s people. Please give her whatever practical assistance she may need from you. She has been a benefactor to many people, myself included.<ref>John Goldingay and Tom Wright, The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (London: SPCK, 2018), Ro 16:1–2.</ref>
    However, the assumption elsewhere is that deacons would be men (Acts 6:3; 1 Tim. 3:8–13).<ref>R. T. Kendall, Understanding Theology, Volume Two (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus, 2000), 314–315.</ref>


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    Revision as of 16:06, 11 January 2023

    Click on headings to expand them, or links to go to specific articles.

    Offices in the church

    In Ephesians 4:11, Paul lists five offices; it was Jesus who gave some to be:

    1. Apostles.
    2. Prophets.
    3. Evangelists.
    4. Pastors.
    5. Teachers.

    In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul broadens the offices and overlaps them with various gifts:

    1. ‘First of all apostles.’
    2. ‘Second prophets.’
    3. ‘Third teachers.’
    4. ‘Then workers of miracles.’
    5. ‘Also those having gifts of healing.’
    6. ‘Those able to help others.’
    7. ‘Those with gifts of administration.’
    8. ‘And those speaking in different kinds of tongues.’

    God also gave various functions and abilities. In Romans 12:6–8, Paul lists seven ‘motivational’ gifts (as some call them):

    1. Prophesying.
    2. Serving.
    3. Teaching.
    4. Encouraging.
    5. Contributing to others’ needs.
    6. Leadership.
    7. Showing mercy.

    In 1 Corinthians 12:14–27 Paul shows how various functions cohere with each other ‘that there should be no division in the body.’[1]

    Elders and bishops and pastors

    These three terms are used interchangeably, and generally put on equal footing.

    There are three Greek words:

    1. episkopoi: bishop; literally overseer.
    2. presbuteroi: elder; an older man.
    3. poimen: pastor; a shepherd.

    All these are used interchangeably.

    1. Paul told Titus to appoint ‘elders’ (Tit. 1:5).
    2. He then called them elders, or bishops (Tit. 1:7).
    3. The elders at Ephesus were to be overseers (Acts 20:28).
    4. Peter told the shepherds to be overseers (1 Pet. 5:2).
    5. Bishops (elders) carried on the work of the apostles.
    6. We saw above: teachers succeeded apostles; so too bishops.
    7. Paul taught Titus (a bishop) to appoint bishops who could ‘encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it’ (Tit. 1:9).
         c.      A bishop must be ‘able to teach’ (1 Tim. 3:2).

    Deacons

    The Greek word, diakonoi, literally means servant, deputy or attendant. Deacons were appointed by apostles (Acts 6:3–4) but were also chosen by the people (Acts 6:5).

    They were to make the work of the apostles easier as seen in Acts 6:2–4:

    So the twelve called the whole group of the disciples together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables. But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this necessary task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”[2]

    Thus, we see that the apostles were to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. The deacons were to take care of the matters that arose that would divert the apostles from preaching and teaching.

    Deacons were not required to teach or preach (1 Tim. 3:8–14). However, Stephen was a powerful teacher (Acts 6:9–11; Acts 7) and Philip was an evangelist and powerful preacher (Acts 8:5, 26–40).

    Some argue that Romans 16:1-2 means a woman can be a deacon. In the Greek, diakonon, means "deacon" or "deaconess":

    Let me introduce to you our sister Phoebe. She is a deacon in the church at Cenchreae. 2I want you to welcome her in the Lord, as is proper for one of God’s people. Please give her whatever practical assistance she may need from you. She has been a benefactor to many people, myself included.[3]

    However, the assumption elsewhere is that deacons would be men (Acts 6:3; 1 Tim. 3:8–13).[4]


    Footnotes

    1. ↑ R. T. Kendall, Understanding Theology, Volume Two (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus, 2000), 309.
    2. ↑ Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005), Ac 6:2–4.
    3. ↑ John Goldingay and Tom Wright, The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (London: SPCK, 2018), Ro 16:1–2.
    4. ↑ R. T. Kendall, Understanding Theology, Volume Two (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus, 2000), 314–315.


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