Offices in the church

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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.’

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).

A specific requirement for a bishop/elder/pastor that they must be ‘able to teach’ (1 Tim. 3:2). This is not required for a deacon.

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.”

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. I 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.

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

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