The Structure of the Church
Sept 11, 2014 1:55:54 GMT -6
Post by Ron on Sept 11, 2014 1:55:54 GMT -6
Council of Elders
Responsibilities of Church Elders
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. -- Acts 20:28
1. The elders are overseers that shepherd the church of God. Shepherds keep the sheep together.
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; -- 1 Peter 5:1-3
2. The elders willingly serve as overseers being examples to the church.
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” -- 1 Timothy 5:17-18
3. The elders labor(study) in the Word and doctrine.
And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. Acts 15:4-6
4. The elders meet to discuss what is right according to God's Word and give advice to the people of the church.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. -- James 5:14-15
5. The elders pray for the sick so that the sick may be healed.
Qualifications of the Elders
1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9
Note: Most of the qualifications for preachers and elders are the same.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; -- 1 Timothy 3:2
1. An elder must be blameless meaning he has to be free of guilt. See also Titus 1:6-7
2. An elder must be the husband of one wife meaning he cannot be a polygamist. See also Titus 1:6
3. An elder must be vigilant meaning he will be on the lookout for possible danger.
4. An elder must be sober or temperate meaning he is not extreme in behavior.
Note:For points 3 and 4---Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. -- 1 Peter 5:8
5. An elder must be of good behavior or modest meaning he is humble in spirit or manner.
6. An elder must be given to hospitality meaning inclined to treat guests and strangers with cordiality and generosity.
7. An elder must be able to teach meaning he knows the Word od God well enough to teach the church sound doctrine.
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; -- 1 Timothy 3:3
8. An elder must not be given to wine meaning he cannot be a drunk. See also Titus 1:7
9. An elder must not be a striker or violent meaning he cannot act with great force or energy or emotional intensity. See also Titus 1:7
10. An elder must not be greedy of filthy lucre meaning he is not greedy for money. See also Titus 1:7
11. An elder must be patient meaning that he will endure trying circumstances with an even temper or without losing his temper.
12. An elder must not be a brawler meaning he is of a peaceful nature.
13. An elder must not be covetous meaning he does not strongly want someone else's position, advantages, or possessions.
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?) -- 1 Timothy 3:4-5
14. An elder must rule or lead his house well having his children in subjection with all gravity (respect). See also Titus 1:6
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. -- 1 Timothy 3:6
15. An elder must not be a novice or new Christian meaning he has to be a mature Christian well grounded in God's Word.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. -- 1 Timothy 3:7
16. An elder must have a good testimony with those outside the church.
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; -- Titus 1:7
17. An elder must not be selfwilled or arrogant.
18. An elder must not be short tempered (not soon angry).
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; -- Titus 1:8
19. An elder must be a lover of good men. The NKJV says, "a lover of what is good." Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible translates it as "fond of good" and "promoter of virtue."
20. An elder must be just meaning fair or equitable.
21. An elder must be holy meaning that he has, shows, and expresses reverence for God.
22. An elder must be temperate or self-controlled. Same as 1 Timothy 3:2
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. -- Titus 1:9
23.
a. An elder must hold fast the faithful Word meaning he adhere's to the truth of God's Word,
b. So he is able to exhort(to encourage or inspire) and convince the gainsayers. Gainsayers are those who speak against God.
Deacons
Responsibilities of Deacons
Acts 6:1-6
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 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. -- Acts 6:1-2
1. Deacons minister to those in need (attend to the needs of others).
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. -- Acts 6:3-4
2. Deacons are to serve God's people so the elders can study and teach.
Qualifications of Deacons
Note:Some Qualifications are the same as elders and preachers.
Acts 6:3 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13
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. -- Acts 6:3
1. Deacons must have wisdom. --- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. -- Proverbs 9:10
2. Deacons must be full of the Holy Spirit.
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; -- 1 Timothy 3:8
1. Deacons must be grave meaning reverent and honorable.
2. Deacons must not be doubletongued meaning they cannot be liars.
3. Deacons must not be given to much wine meaning they cannot get drunk.
4. Deacons must not be greedy of filthy lucre meaning they cannot be greedy for money.
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. -- 1 Timothy 3:9-10
1. Deacons must hold the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
2. Before someone can take the responsibility of being a deacon they must be proved (tested.)
3. Deacons must be blameless meaning free of guilt.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. -- 1 Timothy 3:12
1. Deacons must be the husband of one wife meaning they cannot be polygamists.
2. Deacons must rule (lead) their children and houses well.
Wives of Elders and Deacons
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. -- 1 Timothy 3:11
1. Thier wives must be grave meaning honest and reverent.
2. Their wives cannot be slanderers or false accusers.
3. Their wives must be sober or temperate meaning they are not extreme in their behavior.
4. Their wives must be faithful in all things meaning they are trustworthy.
Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. -- 1 Timothy 2:11-12
This does not mean that a man is above a woman. It simply means everyone has their own God given jobs to do. See 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
EDIT: 1 Timothy 2:11-12 needs to be studied on a deeper level. At the time I did not study this as closely as I should have. I am missing something here.
This is a good Biblical resource for the roles of men and women in the church: The roles for men and women are not hard to figure out. -- Todd Friel
Responsibilities of Church Elders
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. -- Acts 20:28
1. The elders are overseers that shepherd the church of God. Shepherds keep the sheep together.
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; -- 1 Peter 5:1-3
2. The elders willingly serve as overseers being examples to the church.
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” -- 1 Timothy 5:17-18
3. The elders labor(study) in the Word and doctrine.
And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. Acts 15:4-6
4. The elders meet to discuss what is right according to God's Word and give advice to the people of the church.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. -- James 5:14-15
5. The elders pray for the sick so that the sick may be healed.
Qualifications of the Elders
1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9
Note: Most of the qualifications for preachers and elders are the same.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; -- 1 Timothy 3:2
1. An elder must be blameless meaning he has to be free of guilt. See also Titus 1:6-7
2. An elder must be the husband of one wife meaning he cannot be a polygamist. See also Titus 1:6
3. An elder must be vigilant meaning he will be on the lookout for possible danger.
4. An elder must be sober or temperate meaning he is not extreme in behavior.
Note:For points 3 and 4---Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. -- 1 Peter 5:8
5. An elder must be of good behavior or modest meaning he is humble in spirit or manner.
6. An elder must be given to hospitality meaning inclined to treat guests and strangers with cordiality and generosity.
7. An elder must be able to teach meaning he knows the Word od God well enough to teach the church sound doctrine.
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; -- 1 Timothy 3:3
8. An elder must not be given to wine meaning he cannot be a drunk. See also Titus 1:7
9. An elder must not be a striker or violent meaning he cannot act with great force or energy or emotional intensity. See also Titus 1:7
10. An elder must not be greedy of filthy lucre meaning he is not greedy for money. See also Titus 1:7
11. An elder must be patient meaning that he will endure trying circumstances with an even temper or without losing his temper.
12. An elder must not be a brawler meaning he is of a peaceful nature.
13. An elder must not be covetous meaning he does not strongly want someone else's position, advantages, or possessions.
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?) -- 1 Timothy 3:4-5
14. An elder must rule or lead his house well having his children in subjection with all gravity (respect). See also Titus 1:6
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. -- 1 Timothy 3:6
15. An elder must not be a novice or new Christian meaning he has to be a mature Christian well grounded in God's Word.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. -- 1 Timothy 3:7
16. An elder must have a good testimony with those outside the church.
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; -- Titus 1:7
17. An elder must not be selfwilled or arrogant.
18. An elder must not be short tempered (not soon angry).
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; -- Titus 1:8
19. An elder must be a lover of good men. The NKJV says, "a lover of what is good." Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible translates it as "fond of good" and "promoter of virtue."
20. An elder must be just meaning fair or equitable.
21. An elder must be holy meaning that he has, shows, and expresses reverence for God.
22. An elder must be temperate or self-controlled. Same as 1 Timothy 3:2
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. -- Titus 1:9
23.
a. An elder must hold fast the faithful Word meaning he adhere's to the truth of God's Word,
b. So he is able to exhort(to encourage or inspire) and convince the gainsayers. Gainsayers are those who speak against God.
Deacons
Responsibilities of Deacons
Acts 6:1-6
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 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. -- Acts 6:1-2
1. Deacons minister to those in need (attend to the needs of others).
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. -- Acts 6:3-4
2. Deacons are to serve God's people so the elders can study and teach.
Qualifications of Deacons
Note:Some Qualifications are the same as elders and preachers.
Acts 6:3 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13
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. -- Acts 6:3
1. Deacons must have wisdom. --- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. -- Proverbs 9:10
2. Deacons must be full of the Holy Spirit.
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; -- 1 Timothy 3:8
1. Deacons must be grave meaning reverent and honorable.
2. Deacons must not be doubletongued meaning they cannot be liars.
3. Deacons must not be given to much wine meaning they cannot get drunk.
4. Deacons must not be greedy of filthy lucre meaning they cannot be greedy for money.
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. -- 1 Timothy 3:9-10
1. Deacons must hold the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
2. Before someone can take the responsibility of being a deacon they must be proved (tested.)
3. Deacons must be blameless meaning free of guilt.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. -- 1 Timothy 3:12
1. Deacons must be the husband of one wife meaning they cannot be polygamists.
2. Deacons must rule (lead) their children and houses well.
Wives of Elders and Deacons
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. -- 1 Timothy 3:11
1. Thier wives must be grave meaning honest and reverent.
2. Their wives cannot be slanderers or false accusers.
3. Their wives must be sober or temperate meaning they are not extreme in their behavior.
4. Their wives must be faithful in all things meaning they are trustworthy.
Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. -- 1 Timothy 2:11-12
This does not mean that a man is above a woman. It simply means everyone has their own God given jobs to do. See 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
EDIT: 1 Timothy 2:11-12 needs to be studied on a deeper level. At the time I did not study this as closely as I should have. I am missing something here.
This is a good Biblical resource for the roles of men and women in the church: The roles for men and women are not hard to figure out. -- Todd Friel