Christ the Builder of the Church
Matt. 16:13 “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
In the above passage of scripture, the Lord asked, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? The Lord was sampling men’s opinions of whom we was. The answer from men’s opinions was John the Baptist, or Elias, or Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Public opinion was absolutely wrong. Then the Lord asked the disciples whom they believed he was. Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter was absolutely right, but he did not obtain this knowledge from man. The Lord said, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Peter’s knowledge of whom Christ was did not come because some man taught him whom he was, but Peter’s knowledge came by divine revelation from the Father.
Unless we think that Peter’s knowledge of whom the Lord is is exceptional, the Lord went on to tell Peter that “upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The church is built upon the rock of revealed truth of Jesus Christ which comes from God. Jesus is that rock on which the church is built. The church is built upon the person of Christ, the work of Christ, and the word of Christ.
The person of Christ is that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter knew who he was because the Father revealed it unto him. This is also true for us. Flesh and blood does not reveal Christ unto us, but the Father reveals it unto us. We read in Heb. 8:10, 11 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.” This passage teaches us that all the elect will know the Lord, but this knowledge does not come from man’s teaching, but from the direct application of the new birth upon men’s hearts, whereby the Father reveals the Son unto them.
Furthermore, the church is built upon the work of Jesus Christ. The work of Jesus Christ includes what he has already done, what he is now doing, and what he will yet do. What he has already done is redeem us from our sins. What he is now doing is calling those elect who are dead in trespasses and sins into spiritual life. What he will yet do is raise the dead in the morning of the resurrection and take the elect to glory. All of this work is done according to the covenant of redemption spelled out for us in Rom. 8:29, 30: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Thus, thru the calling, justifying, and glorifying, the Lord accomplishes this covenant work.
In addition, the church is built upon the word of Christ. According to 2 Tim. 3:16, 17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The scriptures being a thorough furnisher means that we have everything we need for the proper functioning of the church and for true worship of the Lord. We do not have to, nor should we, add anything to what the Lord has given us in his word.
Thus, the Lord is that rock or foundation on which he builds the church. Next, he is the builder of the church. Ps. 127:1 “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” A builder can build a structure all by himself or he can be the director and overseer of the building by directing others in their work and overseer what they are doing. When it comes to our home in heaven, the Lord does all the work. When it comes to the building of the visible local church, the Lord is the director and overseer of that work.
In the building of the local church, the Lord has given us the government of the church: Is. 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
He has given us the rules for entrance into the church:
1. John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
2. Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
3. Acts 8:36 “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
4. Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
He has given us the spiritual gifts of the church:
1. Rom. 12:5 “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
2. 1 Cor. 12:4 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
He has given us the offices of the church. These offices are the office of bishop or elder and the office of deacon. The office of elder is taught throughout the New Testament. The office of deacon was given in Acts Chapter 6. The qualifications of men who occupy these offices are set forth in 1 Timothy Chapter 3 verse 1-13.
He has given us the gifts of the gospel ministry and their work: Eph. 4:8 “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
He has given us the details of how that we are to worship in the church. The Lord told the woman at the well: John 4:21 “Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. “
He has given us the details of how we are to conduct ourselves in the church: 1 Tim. 3:14 “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Further, the Lord has given us the desire to worship and serve Him: Phil 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” He also has given us the Holy Comforter or Holy Spirit: John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”
In addition, the Lord molds the local church into a functioning body:
1. 1 Cor. 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”
2. Eph. 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
3. Eph. 2:19 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
4. Rom. 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
5. 1 Cor. 12:24 “For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
6. Eph. 1:22 “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
7. Eph. 3:4 “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”
Christ has also given us the ordinances of the church. He has given us the ordinance of water baptism and the ordinance of the communion service.
Truly, the Lord is the builder of the true church.
Entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven
Luke 16:16 “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”
John the Baptist, the Lord, the apostles, and the gospel ministry in general preach that we are to repent and be baptized for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. What are we to do in order to enter this church kingdom?
Before we can do anything to enter the kingdom of heaven (church) something must first be done unto us. The Lord had a conversation with Nicodemus in the third chapter of John: “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
Based on the above, we conclude that a person can neither see the kingdom of God or enter into the kingdom of God before he is born of the Spirit. Further, we are told that God (like the wind) is sovereign in bringing about the Spiritual birth. The kingdom of heaven is a spiritual kingdom and according to 1 Cor. 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God, therefore he cannot see or enter into the kingdom. Preaching of the gospel will do the natural man no good: 1 Cor. 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
Furthermore, Paul asked people to pray for him that he might be delivered from the unregenerate:
1. Rom. 15:30 “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; 31 That I may be delivered from then that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints.”
2. 2 Thes. 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.”
We must be born of God to hear God’s words as the Lord taught: John 8:43 “Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not because ye are not of God.”
Once a person by the sovereign action of a sovereign God is born of the Spirit then he is capable of seeing and entering the Kingdom of God.
First, the gospel must be preached to him before he can understand the kingdom of God:
1. Lk. 16:16 “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”
2. Matt. 3:1 “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.”
3. Matt. 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
4. Matt. 4:23 “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”
5. Matt. 10:5 “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
6. Mk. 3:14 “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,”
7. Matt. 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
8. Mk. 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
A born again child of God must believe the gospel before he can enter into God’s church kingdom on earth:
1. Acts 8:26 “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”
2. Gal. 1:6 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
3. Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
4. Acts 11:20 “And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”
5. Acts 17:10 “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.”
6. Acts 18:8 “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”
Not only must a person who is born of the Spirit hear and believe the gospel, but he must also repent before he can enter into the Kingdom of heaven:
1. Matt. 3:2 “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
2. Matt. 3:7 “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”
3. Matt. 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
4. Mk. 6:12 “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.”
5. Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
6. Acts 26:20 “But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”
A person must also humble himself before he can enter into the kingdom of heaven:
1. Matt. 18:3 “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
2. Matt. 19:13 “Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Public confession of the Lord must be made before a person can enter into the Kingdom of heaven:
1. Matt. 10:32 “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”
2. Rom. 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Finally, a person must be baptized in water in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven:
1. Matt. 3:5 “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.”
2. Mk. 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
3. John 4:1 “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)”
4. Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
5. Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
6. Acts 8:36 “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
7. 1 Peter 3:21 “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
Office of Elder Part 1
The Lord Chooses
Eph. 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 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: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Mk. 3:13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. 14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: 16 And Simon he surnamed Peter; 17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: 18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, 19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Lk. 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Jere. 1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
The Lord Calls
Mk. 3:13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.
Matt. 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Matt. 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Mk. 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
Lk. 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Acts 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Rom. 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
1 Cor. 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
Gal. 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Heb. 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Sent of God
Matt. 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt. 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
Matt. 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
Lk. 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
Acts 13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
Rom. 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
1 Cor. 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 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. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Duties of the Ministry Part 1
Feed the Sheep
John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Acts 20:28 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.
1 Pet. 5:1 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: 2 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; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
Rev. 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Matt. 14:15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 18 He said, Bring them hither to me. 19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Perfecting of the saints
Eph. 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 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:
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: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Col. 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
1 Thes. 3:9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 7 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Heb. 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Work of the ministry
Eph. 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 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:
Rom. 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
1 Cor. 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
Heb. 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
1 Pet. 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
Edifying of the Church
Eph. 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 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:
1 Cor. 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Pet. 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Eph. 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Rom. 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
1 Thes. 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Rom. 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
1 Cor. 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Teach
Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Acts 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
1 Cor. 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
1 Tim. 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1 Tim. 6:2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
Comfort
Is. 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Rom. 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
1 Cor. 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
2 Cor. 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2 Cor. 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Eph. 6:21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
Phil. 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
1 Thes. 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Call to repentance and service
Matt. 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt. 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mk. 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. 10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. 11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 26:20 But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Matt. 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mk. 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Lk. 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Lk. 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Preach gospel of the kingdom
Matt. 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt. 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mk. 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mk. 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Lk. 8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
Lk. 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Lk. 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
Lk. 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Acts 20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
Acts 28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Watchman over the flock
Ezek. 3: 17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered
Ezek. 33: 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Acts 20: 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 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. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
1 Pet. 5:1 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: 2 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;
3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1 Tim. 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Luke 2: 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
2 Tim. 4: 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Heb. 13: 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Deliver from error and false worship
Rom. 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
1 Tim. 1: 3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Matt. 15: 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
James 5: 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
2 Cor. 6: 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
John 4: 19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Eph. 4: 13 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: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Bring to timely salvation
Acts 2: 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Mk. 16: 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
1 Pet. 3: 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
2 Tim. 2: 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Acts 2: 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 11: 12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
13 And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Rom. 1: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom. 8: 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Rom. 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
1 Cor. 1: 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1 Cor. 9: 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
1 Cor. 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Phil. 2: 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Ordaining and Qualifications of Elders
Acts 14:23 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.
Mk. 3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
1 Tim. 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
Tit. 1:5 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, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 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; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 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. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
1 Tim. 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
1 Tim. 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Heb. 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Acts 6:1 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
1 Tim. 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Blameless – 410. anegkletos, an-eng’-klay-tos; from G1 (as a neg. particle) and a der. of G1458; unaccused, i.e. (by impl.) irreproachable:–blameless.
Steward – 3622. oikonomia, oy-kon-om-ee’-ah; from G3623; administration (of a household or estate); spec. a (religious) “economy”:–dispensation, stewardship
Selfwilled – 829. authades, ow-thad’-ace; from G846 and the base of G2237; self-pleasing, i.e. arrogant:–self-willed.
Given to wine – 3943. paroinos, par’-oy-nos; from G3844 and G3631; staying near wine, i.e. tippling (a toper):–given to wine.
No striker – 4131. plektes, plake’-tace; from G4141; a smiter, i.e. pugnacious (quarrelsome):–striker.
Given to filthy lucre – 146. aischrokerdes, ahee-skhrok-er-dace’; from G150 and kerdos (gain); sordid:–given to (greedy of) filthy lucre.
Lover of hospitality – 5382. philoxenos, fil-ox’-en-os; from G5384 and G3581; fond of guests, i.e. hospitable:–given to (lover of, use) hospitality.
Lover of good men – 5358. philagathos, fil-ag’-ath-os; from G5384 and G18; fond to good, i.e. a promoter of virtue:–love of good men.
Sober – 4998. sophron, so’-frone; from the base of G4982 and that of G5424; safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion):–discreet, sober, temperate.
Just – 1342. dikaios, dik’-ah-yos; from G1349; equitable (in character or act); by impl. innocent, holy (absol. or rel.):–just, meet, right (-eous).
Holy – set apart by God and in actions.
Temperate – 1468. egkrates, eng-krat-ace’; from G1722 and G2904; strong in a thing (masterful), i.e. (fig. and reflex.) self-controlled (in appetite, etc.):–temperate.
Blameless – 423. anepileptos, an-ep-eel’-ape-tos; from G1 (as a neg. particle) and a der. of G1949; not arrested, i.e. (by impl.) inculpable:–blameless, unrebukeable.
The husband of one wife – As distinguished from someone who has multiple wives.
Vigilant – 3524. nephaleos, nay-fal’-eh-os; or nephalios, nay-fal’-ee-os; from 3525; sober, i.e. (fig.) circumspect:- sober.
(Note: Sober, adj.- 1. [Solemn]- restrained, earnest, grave, serious.
Of good behaviour – 2887. kosmios, kos’-mee-os; from G2889 (in its prim. sense); orderly, i.e. decorous:–of good behaviour, modest.
Apt to teach – 1317. didaktikos, did-ak-tik-os’; from G1318; instructive (“didactic”):–apt to teach.
Patient – 1933. epieikes, ep-ee-i-kace’; from G1909 and G1503; appropriate, i.e. (by impl.) mild:–gentle, moderation, patient.
(Note: Gentle, adj.- 1. [Soft]- tender, amooth, sensitive.
2. [Kind]- tender, considerate.
Brawler – 269. amachos, am’-akh-os; from G1 (as a neg. particle) and G3163; peaceable:–not a brawler.
(Note: Brawler, n.- fighter, contestant, contender, party to a quarrel, warrior, soldier, combatant, belligerent, assailant, agressor, antagonist, feudist.
Not covetous – 866. aphilarguros, af-il-ar’-goo-ros; from G1 (as a neg. particle) and G5366; unavaricious:–without covetousness, not greedy of filthy lucre.
Ruleth well his own house – 4291. proistemi, pro-is’-tay-mee; from G4253 and G2476; to stand before, i.e. (in rank) to preside, or (by impl.) to practise:–maintain, be over, rule.
Novice – 3504. neophutos, neh-of’-oo-tos; from G3501 and a der. of G5453; newly planted, i.e. (fig.) a young convert (“neophyte”):–novice.
The Greek word, Apoimen,@ is found 18 times in the new testament. According to Strong=s it means Ashepherd, overseer, or pastor.@ It is translated shepherd 14 times and in all 14 times it refers to Jesus. It is translated shepherds 3 times and refers to the shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks by night about the time of the birth of Christ. It is translated pastor one time and that is in Eph. 4:11, AAnd he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers…@ I agree that there are only two offices given to the new testament church and that is bishop or elder and deacon. However, there are different names given to those who occupy the office of bishop or elder. As noted above, some of the bishops or elders were apostles, some were prophets, some were evangelists, and some were pastors and teachers. This seems to have reference to their particular authority or work given to them of the Lord. Peter who we know was one of the Apostles, refers to himself as an elder in 1 Peter 5:1, AThe 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.@ Other name given to the bishops or elders is overseer: In Acts 20:28 Paul taught the elders of the church of Ephesus to ATake 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.@
Stong defines the following words as follows:
1. Bishop – 1985. episkopos, ep‑is’‑kop‑os; from G1909 and G4649 (in the sense of G1983); a superintendent, i.e. Chr. officer in gen. charge of a (or the) church (lit. or fig.):‑‑bishop, overseer.
2. Elder – 4245. presbuteros, pres‑boo’‑ter‑os; compar. of presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; spec. an Isr. Sanhedrist (also fig. member of the celestial council) or Chr. “presbyter”:‑‑elder (‑est), old.
3. Pastor – 4166. poimen, poy‑mane’; of uncert. affin.; a shepherd (lit. or fig.):‑‑shepherd, pastor.
4. Overseer – 1985. episkopos, ep‑is’‑kop‑os; from G1909 and G4649 (in the sense of G1983); a superintendent, i.e. Chr. officer in gen. charge of a (or the) church (lit. or fig.):‑‑bishop, overseer.
The Greek word translated angel is aggelos, ang’‑el‑os; from aggello [prob. der. from G71; comp. G34] (to bring tidings); a messenger; esp. an “angel”; by impl. a pastor:‑‑angel, messenger. It is translated angel 181 times and is translated messenger 7 times in the new testament. Three times the word has reference to John the Baptist (Matt. 11:10, Mk. 1:2, Lk.7:27), once it has reference to the messenger of Satan (2 Cor. 12:7), once it has reference to the disciples of John (Lk. 7:24), once it has reference to the disciples of Jesus (Lk. 9:52), and once it has reference to the spies that Rahab the harlot rescued (James 2:25). Since John was instructed of the Lord to write to the angels (messengers) of the churches of Asia, it would seem that he was to write to the one or ones who were responsible to carry the Lord=s message to the church, which certainly is the case of the elder (pastor, bishop, overseer) of the church.
With regards to the question as to who determines who will preach in a Primitive Baptist Church, it has been my experience that the members are continuously encouraged to pray for the leadership of the Holy Spirit in this matter. During the regular church services the pastor of the church generally determines who will preach as he has been made Aoverseer@ of the flock of God by the Holy Ghost and thus bears the responsibility before God.
The Greek word, Apoimen,@ is found 18 times in the new testament. According to Strong=s it means Ashepherd, overseer, or pastor.@ It is translated shepherd 14 times and in all 14 times it refers to Jesus. It is translated shepherds 3 times and refers to the shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks by night about the time of the birth of Christ. It is translated pastor one time and that is in Eph. 4:11, AAnd he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers…@ I agree that there are only two offices given to the new testament church and that is bishop or elder and deacon. However, there are different names given to those who occupy the office of bishop or elder. As noted above, some of the bishops or elders were apostles, some were prophets, some were evangelists, and some were pastors and teachers. This seems to have reference to their particular authority or work given to them of the Lord. Peter who we know was one of the Apostles, refers to himself as an elder in 1 Peter 5:1, AThe 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.@ Other name given to the bishops or elders is overseer: In Acts 20:28 Paul taught the elders of the church of Ephesus to ATake 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.
“Deacons –Do We Need Them Today?”
What if someone where to come up to you and ask you this question, “Do we really need deacons today?” What would be your answer? Or I should ask how would you answer that question? Some people might go on to say, “Well we live in the twenty first century, maybe deacons have become obsolete.” How would or should we, as Primitive Baptist respond to such a question?
Let me add another question to this, “When was the last time that you heard or were taught anything with any depth concerning the office and work of the deacon?” I ask this for a few reasons, first, because I was ordained and served as a deacon, before I was ordained as an elder. And second, because I believe it is important for us who live in God’s Kingdom Church to understand the function of the office of a deacon. And on top of these reasons, can be added this question, can there be any doubt that it ought to be included in the preaching of the whole counsel of God? And third, because we in the little church at Dixie of which I serve as pastor have been considering weather or not we need another deacon, and who that person might be.
We are admonished by Holy Scripture in 1 Tim 5:22, to “Lay hands suddenly on no man.” And with good reason…how many troubles have come into the churches as a result of not following after this very critical passage? I mean that there is a reason for every word that has been written by the inspired men of old; “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is important because it is written for, and to the “man of God” so that he “may be perfect,” and “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” We need to know the answer to such questions as, “Who is “qualified”to be a deacon? Is he to be a married or a single man? How many deacons are needed, and how long will they serve? Who does the choosing? What are the wages of the deacon? What is the difference in the ordination of an elder and a deacon? These questions and more are thoughts that I would like to take out some time to prayerfully consider.
As far as I can see the only reason that anyone would even consider the thought that deacons may be obsolete today is because they simply don’t understand the scriptures. And the reason is that for most people the office of deacon simply has not been clearly defined and is often little understood by some that are in the church, and this is often true in speaking of other pastors and deacons that are already serving in their offices. The result of this being uninformed is often a place that sometimes serves to cause tension between a pastor and the deacons within the church. Sometimes there may even be open warfare between the two because the pastor and deacons simply CANNOT or WILL NOT work together or they simply don’t understand how God has designed these two offices to work together. And sadly these types of problems only serve to cripple the body of the church. And there have even been instances where deacons have…for whatever reason…taken for themselves an authority, which can frankly only be viewed as being contrary to the scriptures, and is always detrimental to the Old Line Baptist Church of Christ. For example, there have been cases where a deacon became the “boss” of the church, and have become “lords” in their office over God’s people, and these end up literally holding the membership under a heavy hand, and also that we; because of our own false understanding, believe that a deacon are somehow to be the “directors” of the church.
Beloved this is simply not the case at all, and it ought never to happen in any church. And anywhere that we find this sort of thing happening in the churches there are going to be those who will come to the false conclusion that maybe deacons are not needed anymore! And under these circumstances can’t we truthfully say that we would understand it…well, wouldn’t we? Yes, we most certainly would understand, but the real truth is that the church doesn’t really need that type of deacon, elder or any member for that member that would bring about such disharmony and disorder to the church congregation!
Yes, beloved we most certainly do need deacons today. But we the true Church of the Living God need them to go about it in way and manner that is prescribed to us by His word…the Bible; And we thus must rely only on “thus saith the Lord.” We must hold to the “old paths” and the “good ways” if we are to be in harmony with God’s word. Yes, dear child of God deacons are needed as much today as they were needed in the first Old Baptist Church in Jerusalem over two thousand years ago. But we today, more than ever need to have the right and proper understanding of the use and function of the office of deacon.
With that all being said, lets move on to our first consideration. Are deacons obsolete? Do we need deacons today in this modern world? And the answer to the first question is NO…they are not obsolete; and to the second, YES…we most certainly do need deacons today! They are needed today just as much as they were way back then because they are a vital part of the New Testament pattern that has been set down to us from God the Holy Ghost. Just like God said to Moses when the children of Israel were going about to build the tabernacle; in Exodus 25:40, “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount.” And it’s this pattern that sets the Old Line Primitive Baptist apart from other worldly religious orders of people. It’s the plain teachings of Holy Scripture that is enough for us to determine the doctrines and practices of the Old Line Churches, adding nothing to it…and taking nothing away from it. There can be no other reason for any other belief or practice then simply that the Word of God has established the pattern that we must follow; and deacons are a part of the pattern.
And the first place that we will need to go in our efforts to understand and properly use the office of deacon is to God the Holy Ghost, the first person of the Godhead, and ask Him to lead and to guide our thoughts and to aid us in a proper understanding of the office. Then only after doing so will turn and go the scriptures.
Now in the sixth chapter of the book of Acts of the Apostles we learn that it is not always the storms of persecution from those outside of the church that damage the church, but it is the storms from within the church which do the real damage. In Acts 8:1, 4 we find that “…at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem…’ and ‘Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”
And thus we see that it was one of these storms that occurred within the church that came before the first Church at Jerusalem in Acts chapter six. It seems that the “widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” And the solution was that the apostles, who were being led by the Holy Ghost, called together “the multitude of the disciples unto them and said, It is not reasonable that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out from among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business” (Acts 6:1-4). And the church chose out the first seven men to fill the office of deacon in the church. We will pause here and the next time we will try to consider the “function of the deacon” and whether or not we are seeking those who are “qualified” or whether we are seeking certain “qualities.” May God bless you and keep you is my prayer.
“Deacons – Qualification or Quality?”
In our last article we tried to take out a little time to consider the office of deacon, and we asked the question “are deacons really needed today?” And we understood that the God the Holy Ghost gave the office to the church so that she might be completely furnished, lacking nothing; especially that which man might attempt to add as his so-called improvements to the church.
And so now moving on I think that it would be a good idea now to take out a little time to consider the thought of whether or not 1 Timothy chapter three is what most folks tend are the “qualifications” of a bishop or pastor and a deacon.
And just before we go there I would like to point out that none of the offices were considered to be a temporary office, limited to just one church, such as in this case; at Jerusalem. We know this to be true because we read in Philippians chapter one verse one where the Apostle Paul writes, “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints which are at Philippi, with BISHOPS and DEACONS.” Notice the phrase “BISHOPS and DEACONS is used here, and this is some thirty years after the choosing if the first seven men as deacons in Jerusalem. There can be no doubt at all that the office of deacon started at the first church and was blessed by the Holy Ghost to be in other churches as well? And as it was then so it is today.
Beloved the work of the deacon is vital to the health and well being of the church! And since the work of the deacon is so vital, we must look to the scriptures to know what type of man would be suitable to fill this vital office. It’s imperative that we prayerfully and carefully study the word of God; the Bible so that we might fully understand this critical process. And beloved, as we undertake this goal we must move forward with much caution. For I believe that these scriptural “qualifications” are not so much “qualifications” as they are “qualities.”
And would you agree with me when I say that not every person who is to be considered for the office of deacon will be perfectly “suited” or “qualified” to fill the office? Yes, maybe a few may be, but in the real world it is certain that perhaps not any at all will perfectly suited these spiritual concerns.
For example, lets take out some time to consider 1 Tim 3:12, where we read, “Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.” Does this passage mean that ALL deacons must be married? If that is the case then there ought to never be any single male deacons. And we must not lose sight of the fact that 1 Tim. 3:2 plainly tells us that a “bishop” or “pastor” and “elder” must also be “then must be blameless, the husband of one wife.” Are we here also to conclude that all elders who are called to the office of pastor…MUST BE MARRIED as well? Are all “elders” and “pastors” married? The real truth is that the answer is no that this is not always the case.
And again these same passages also say that a deacon must be “grave” (1 Tim. 3:8), but beloved does that then mean that every male member who is “grave” automatically become qualified to be a deacon? And you would agree with me and say no, of course not. And I believe that this would be a proper understanding of these passages. But it is also proper to say that each and every man who is to be considered for the office of deacon MUST be “grave,” just as the scriptures describe to us. And so the conclusion must surely be that no deacon has all of the scriptural qualities brought to perfection; these are “qualities” more than they are “qualifications.” These spiritual “qualities” must be found in any one who will be considered for the office, even before it is decided what the work of the deacon will be are discussed. To neglect or cut corners here would bring disaster, shame and much trouble to the church of God and the Lord’s people.
But who is the right person? Who is worthy of this office? If any man who is in the right spirit reads the third chapter of First Timothy as “qualifications” he will no doubt say to himself, “I feel to be so unworthy, I know that I am not able to be all of these things.” And what elder for that matter who reads and considers these passages would not come away with feelings of shame, unworthiness, and inadequacy? I know that I myself most certainly feel that way!
And dear child of God it would be foolish on our part to expect that we will find a perfect man to fill the office of deacon. After all, all of us who are born of the Spirit of God, have two district natures while we live in this would; the inner or spiritual man or and the outward nature of the flesh. Therefore the only complete and real perfection that we will ever have will be found when we are on the other side of in heaven. So until that day we must rely on God’s grace to help us in every capacity, to lead and direct us in the world, and especially in matters of the Kingdom Church.
And I would like to say to those who would are being considered for the office of deacon and feel that their shortcomings are only a hindrance to the service of Christ and His people; I would not decline the office “because you are not good enough.” The truth is that none of us are really good enough but I can tell you that if you are waiting until you are better, that day will never come, and I can assure you that you will never get any better by declining the work and service to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom Church. And I also want to assure you that if you have these “qualities” within yourself that are there only by and through the Spirit that God will most certainly give you sufficient grace to grow and to serve Him in the way and manner that He will be pleased to bless in.
Well we’ll pause here until next time, and then we’ll try to look at the “Wages of a Deacon.” God bless us all to live according to the leading of the Spirit.
“Deacons- Their Wages”
Last time we tried to make a distinction between that terms “qualifications” verses the “qualities” of a deacon. We came to understand that the scriptures revel to us that it is the “qualities” spiritual man and not the “qualifications” of a man that we are to seek out in persons that we are to be placed in the office of a deacon. And with this thought, hopefully still in our minds let’s continue to move forward with the consideration of exactly what “wages of a deacon are.” We notice that one of the first deacon’s in Acts chapter six; and the first one mentioned is a man named Stephen, whose name means “crown,” he was one of the seven who served the church at Jerusalem. After he was chosen and ordained in Acts chapter six, it was evident that the “qualities” that God had blessed him with made him well “qualified” to fill his office. And it was these “qualities” that God had given him that brought him to a death by which he was blessed to be able to give God so much glory. We find him standing and speaking to a group the Sadducees and Pharisees who found themselves utterly helpless before the force of his witness and the logic of his reasoning. He was well grounded being thoroughly acquainted with the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament, in which the “council” of Jews who were also well versed, and this was in and of itself a disconcerting thing for them. Because the more that he successfully met each one of their arguments against the truth, the more their anger grew against him. Finally Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin where he preached one of the most fully recorded sermons in the New Testament.
Finally it was their madness that brought them to become a murderous mob rushing forth to take his life. For when his enemies could do nothing with his arguments or his preaching, they took matters into their own hands. And contrary to both Roman and Jewish law, they seized Stephen and without awaiting a sentence against him, he was taken as a blasphemer and stoned to death. This beloved and faithful deacon died as he had lived, as a witness to the Christ whom he had served. And with his last breath he shouts with triumph, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59), and with mercy in his words he said, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60).
When we consider what happened to our Brother Stephen, does it seem to us that it worth while to serve as a deacon? This is exactly the kind of self examination that is required that the man of God who is called to be a deacon. He must be mindful that others have given their lives for their faith in Jesus; there is an endless list of martyrs whose blood was shed for the cause of Christ and His dear Kingdom.
When we consider the thought of the wages for a deacon it is always hard to even think about rewards, and this is because we all must remember that we are debtors to grace. Each one of us, like the Apostle Paul, seeing ourselves again and again as being “the chief of sinners,” especially when we consider the price that Christ paid to redeem us from our many sins. The rewards or “wages” that we receive are all determined by the grace of God. For us, even death is a profit, for we know that “to die is gain.” There can be no doubt that the purpose of all the promises of God serve to strengthen our faith and to urge us onward and upward to our fullest effort, as well as to encourage us in the midst of our struggles.
For the deacon, hard work is what is called for, their consecration is challenged, and their sacrifice is expected; but the rewards or “wages” far outweigh the effort. What “wages” does the deacon receive? In the world’s riches, there isn’t enough gold and silver that could ever pay for such faithfulness and devotion. But in the blessings of God, untold riches of grace are ever with such a one of these faithful servants of Christ.
Stephen’s faithful witness is found an end in his martyrdom. Philip, another of the seven is recorded to have served for over twenty years, and yet we understand that he was martyred at Tralles in Asia Minor. Prochorus was ordained as an elder and became the bishop (or pastor) at Philippi. And he is also believed to have been martyred at Antioch. And Parmenas, tradition says, was martyred at Philippi during the reign of Trajan.
The scriptures tell us that Nicolas was a proselyte of Antioch, which suggests that the other six were probably Jews by birth. It is said that he became the founder of the Nicolaitanes, a heretical sect in the churches of the first century which is condemned by Jesus in Revelation 2:6 and 15. But bear in mind that this is tradition, not fact. It is entirely possible that the opinions of this sect did not come directly from his preaching. But it is possible that all of these seven men, godly, dedicated, and deeply spiritual deacons, came at last to a martyr’s death. And the question that is before us is “was their deacon’s office worth such a high price?”
How much value is there in the fact that they were enabled by the Holy Ghost to meet their hour victoriously? Is it fair to say that the man who serves God faithfully as a deacon may expect, (as I’m sure that these brethren did,) that God will provide for them an extra degree of victorious grace in the trials that will come to them and as an extra joy a crown of glory? And is it not this very same grace which He gives to us today? I believe so!
The scriptures reveal that the results of the election and ordination of the seven had an almost immediate result. It is written that “The word of God increased.” I believe that it safe to say that the “word of God increased” both “quantitatively” and “qualitatively;” “quantitatively” in that there was a greater number of witnesses added to the church, and “qualitatively” as in the effectiveness of the pastor’s ministry, and all of this in keeping with the will of God concerning how that we too are to do things in the church today.
Deacons who have a desire to make their pastor a more able preacher, preaching with power and the demonstration of the spirit, have an opportunity to; by and through the grace and guidance of the Holy Ghost, to realize that as the result. According to the New Testament pattern, nothing more can be done which would have the result of the multiple blessings of Christ, than to have good and faithful deacons working at the task assigned to them by the church.
“The number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly” (Acts 6:7). And as we as God’s elect people in the Kingdom adhere to the old paths remaining true to that pattern; we will also reap the same great and wondrous harvest. I’m not saying that great multitudes of people are going to crowd into our church houses, but we ought not to be surprised at what the Lord of the harvest will bring to us in keeping with His wondrous mercy.
When these at the church at Jerusalem took up the responsibility of the office according to the scriptures the result was an ingathering of souls. And so great was the result that the words of these first seven faithful deacons that “a great company of priests were obedient to the faith” were added to the church. And can there be any doubt that the influence of godly, faithful, consecrated and dedicated men will reach into both high and low places being forth a good witness to those within the church as well as to those outside.
A man who is willing to serve faithfully as a deacon also has as his reward the fellowship with the saints of God. He has his part with these very same first seven men who in like manner were elected and served in the first church. What a blessing to have the knowledge that he is a part of an unbroken line of deacon’s going all of the way back to that first church of Jesus Christ, and to His Apostles!
As a source of support to the pastor they have a close relationship with him that is unlike any other relationship that is found in the world. Not only does he have the fellowship of a family tie but the fellowship of a divinely ordained service as a reward that is without measure! But how could there be any better wages than this?
And we read that men who “have used the office of deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree” (1 Tim. 3:13). In fact, no human “degree” that has ever been given by mortal man could be more deserved than one accorded to the man who has devoted his life to the service of God, Christ Jesus and His people.
The word “degree” in this passage in First Timothy means a “threshold” or a “step.” It is used to picture a grade of dignity and wholesome influence in the church. Not an advance in rank, as is in worldly religions, but a position in the esteem of his fellow servants in God’s house.
Before a man is elected as a deacon in the church he is like many others in the church. But as they faithfully serve, they almost visibly increase in spiritual stature. And if they humbly exercise their office faithfully they will develop in their spiritual effectiveness in the eyes of the church. This growth is caused when having put their hand to the plow and not looking backward, they are always moving forward step by step towards the “degree” that is spoken of for the deacon who faithfully serves.
Another wage that comes to the faithful deacon is a great “boldness” in the faith, which the word that is most often used to describe the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. This had to do with His bearing before those who were against Him. Nothing intimidated our Lord’s word. And the testimony of His apostles was that they too, like their Master, spoke the word of God with boldness, just like Jesus did, which came to them as a result of their fellowship with Him. And the New Testament scriptures say that deacons are to have “great boldness in the faith” (1 Tim. 3:13). This means that they are to have a confident public expression of the faith, such as would belong to a seasoned deacon who has gained a good standing and in consequence and has no temptation to be “doubletongued.”
How many churches are handicapped by timid men? These men who are elected into the office of deacon are to not be timid, but they step out and take the lead and go forth into the labor of the Kingdom of God, pulling together all of the resources within and without the church. When something like the lawn needs to be cut, they gather together the laborers to meet the task. When the roof is leaking, they don’t need to go into conference; they act and get the job taken care of. They are quick to listen to the opinions of others, and most willing to follow the plan which someone else has suggested and which others approved. Standing for, and under girding the efforts of their pastor with encouragement and the wisdom that God has richly blessed him with. This “quality” is not lightly bestowed by our Lord. It’s given to His faithful servants, the tired and experienced deacon, the man who has been willing to accept the full responsibility of his office for the delight that is found in faithfully serving His Lord Jesus Christ, for the love of His kingdom and His brethren.
I say that the wages of the deacon are immeasurable, because they are the blessings of God which flow and are innumerable. Beloved there can be no greater privilege then to be chosen of the church under the wisdom of God to be an Old Primitive Baptist deacon.
Next time we will try to take up the thought that means so much to me and to elder’s who serve as pastors in old Baptist Churches and that is that “quality” of a deacon who sets the ministry free.
Deacons –Freeing of the Ministry”
I want to start out now with the consideration of what to me, as an elder and a pastor what may well be the most significant work that is required of the office of deacon. And that is the work of the “freeing the ministry.” And to better understand this let us go now again to the sixth chapter of Acts, and we’ll look at the original that the church had chosen and placed before the Apostles. Why did these Apostles call for the choosing of these seven men? The answer was very simple they said that “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables” (Acts 6:2). Think about this statement for just a moment. What is the primary duty of God’s called ministry? Is it not for the furtherance of the preached word of God? Yes it is. And before the calling of the church of the seven these Apostles or elders were serving in both capacities. As the elders of the church they were and are qualified to serve in all of the duties of the service of the church. But because of the short comings and limitations of the flesh, they were over whelmed by the sheer weight of the burdens of their labors.
There were things that needed to be taken care of and they said that it was not reasonable to expect them to be able to do it alone, so they said, “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). This was inspired by God the Holy Ghost in order that the ministry might be set free to give themselves “continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” of God (Acts 6:4). And the original seven deacons were chosen and set before the Apostles “and when they prayed, they laid their hands on them” as it is to this very day.
And writing as an elder and a bishop or pastor of a church, I can tell you that it does my heart good to read and to understand this. I can’t tell how much it means to me to have good and faithful deacons in the church, they set me free, but not so much “free from” as “free to” do certain things that need to be done, but which would be very difficult and maybe even be impossible to do if their wonderful and dedicated service to God’s church and to me the pastor.
I have heard folks who refer to Old Baptist ministers as being only “part time preachers.” But I’m here to tell you that the ministry of the Old Line Primitive Baptist is much, much more difficult than that of the so-called ministry of the world. The ministry is a twenty-four hour seven days a week labour. Beloved in the church of Christ the elders must hold down three responsibilities, first, to the Church and second, to the maintenance of their families, and third, to care for their secular jobs. These humble servants spend much time in calling on and visiting the sick; and he can often be found hard at work on, in and around the church building. And not to mention there is their time to study the scriptures and to meditate on the word. That’s the reason that I thank God each and every day for the man that God has given to the church and to the ministry who are deacons!
The function of the office of a pastor did not change when God gave the church the office of the deacon, but God gave a wonderful gift to all the pastors and, if we, God’s people, will but learn the scriptural way in handling the office.
The service that these deacons undertake are the things that belong to pastoral leadership, they share in the burden with their pastor, but God the Holy Ghost in keeping with His wonderful and limitless grace has created another who is there to help in the detailed execution of these things in order that will not utterly absorb the pastor and elder’s time thought, and life. They serve first our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Kingdom Church, and second they stand in support of the ministry and to God’s elect.
One way that the deacon sets the pastor or elder free is by their being men set apart by the church in which he can have full and free confidence in. For example a pastor must be acquainted with all of the goings on within the church that God has placed under his care. And this is again is where the deacons come in and serve in a critical way. They are to be the eyes and ears of their pastor ever feeling the “pulse” of the church. Helping the pastor in such a way requires a relationship can only exists when the pastor and the deacons share in the new nature that is imparted by Christ. In this way there is a perfect freedom in having perfect confidence in one another; making the labour of the shared ministry more effective.
When we read in Exodus 17 of a situation where the Israelites were to battle the Amaleks, and as long as Moses held up his hands the Israelites “prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” But Moses became weary and his Aaron and Hur took a stone and put it under him for him to sit upon, and each one of these men, one on each side took and held up the hands of Moses (Exod. 17:10-13). What a wonderful picture of the relationship between the pastor and the deacons! The mutual love of Christ binds us together and at the same time sets us free. The best pastor is the one who has faith and confidence in God and faith and confidence in the men that God has given to him to aid him in the execution of his ministry.
The next time that we get together I hope to examine the deacon’s care for the church and his role in the leadership of the church body. May God bless us to be true and faithful to His cause, and that He might guide us to better understand and work in His Kingdom as good stewards of the things that He gives us.
“Deacons –Promoters of Church Harmony”
Looking back again in Acts chapter six we find that there was so “murmuring” in the church at Jerusalem. This “murmuring” came right on the heals of a great and wondrous miracle of the healing of a man who was born “lame from his mother’s womb” who every day was carried out and “laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple” to beg. And as Peter was passing by the he looked down at him saying “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:3-8).
But now it seems that there was a “disharmony” that had found its way into the body of the church. This was a trouble came to them as nit does to us even here today as a result of the nature of our human condition, and along with Satan who brings in a discord, bringing in dissension and conflict. And this disharmony that crept in was in need of healing. These first seven men who were chosen out and ordained by the elders of the church as deacons were God the Holy Ghost’s answer to aid in the healing of this breach and thus restoring the peace and fellowship of the church. But this is not always true in churches today. Sometimes a faction in the church is “deacon led.”
We understand that it is necessary for them, and for us here today, (because God does not change,) to carefully and prayerfully pray to God for His guidance in the matter of choosing of our deacon’s with those who have the “qualities” of character of that of being good, humble and faithful men. These are men who will follow only after the glory of Christ and His people in the Kingdom of Heaven in all that they undertake to do. Seeking not to promote their own selfish will and motives, but seeking first and foremost the will of Christ; to the support of the gospel ministry, and that of the whole body of believers.
The Godly man who is chosen and placed into the office of deacon loses one privilege that he here afore had, when he enters into the office of deacon he losses his right to “speak his mind.” When such a man becomes a deacon, he is provided by the Holy Ghost, chosen by the church, and the laying on of hands by the elders and dedicated by his own personal choice to serve in the office, at that moment he gives up his right to promote himself in any way, promoting any and all a divisions which will bring disharmony into the life of the church body.
One of the most critical duties of a deacon is the promotion of church fellowship between each member of the body of Christ. When conflict and division comes, and as long as we live in the flesh here on this earth, and Satan is free to harass the church, bringing in the most grievous disharmony, it’s then that, a deacon must be the first person to stand up and say that “we can’t do things this way in this church.”
That’s not to say that he will sacrifice the truth for the sake of peace. No, and in fact he is always in the word of God, seeking the guidance of God in his studies and meditation, understanding the organism of the living body of the Church. He fully understands that Christ set up and established the Church, with all that is needed and that she is perfect in her doctrine and practice. In times of trouble and discord he goes to the scriptures and not to popular opinion, no matter how popular or how famous the holder of such opinions might be.
He will stand up and say, “we will rely on thus sayest the Lord.” He understands and stands strong knowing that we must have harmony and peace if we are to give proper honour to Christ.” It is clear that if deacons were needed to promote harmony in the first church, than they are needed today to do the same thing! In the world today who never been a friend of the church, there is a need for these good faithful and men to serve as deacons!
Theirs is that duty that first and foremost is to care for the welfare of the church, her members, from the least little ones to the eldest. Remember again the sixth chapter of the books of acts? They cared for the “widows” at the church at Jerusalem. One very critical reason for the selection of the first seven deacons was to provide for and promote the welfare of the church membership. These men then, as it is today, are those who undergird ministry in the particular service in which they were called to do.
They are ever watchful and listening, feeling the “pulse” of the church, and when it is known that there is a person in need within the bounds of the congregation, and they step up and see to that need. And if need be they will first bring to the attention to the pastor, and then they will bring it before the church, that too may labour in the ministry as well. As I have said before, I say again, they are there in the front lines as not those who are above, but as t hose who serve. What a wonderful blessing is the office of deacon, and those to whom serve in that office.
I’ll close this thought by reminding those who tend to lift up their elders and pastors, placing them upon a pedestal, that it are only men, and it is impossible for a them to be aware of all of the needs of the church for under his watch care. And we ought to be thanking God for His provision the deacon who serve a wonderful service, in order that no person who is on the church role will ever be forgotten or neglected.
Next time I would like again at the original pattern of the “qualities” in Acts chapter six, of the first three deacons then as it is today.
May God bless you and keep you.
“Deacons –The Original Pattern”
“And in those days, when the number of he 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 to 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. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:1-8).
We will start out taking under consideration the three primary “qualities” of the man chosen to fill the office of deacon; starting with the first one, which is that a deacon must be a man of an “honest report.” The Greek word that is translated in the KJT as “honest report” is the Greek word “martureo,” (mar-too-reh’-o) which means to be a witness. This is where we get our English word “martyr.” As we search the scriptures we find that this word is used no less than twenty-five times in the New Testament meaning “to bear witness.” In Hebrews 11:2, we find that “the elders obtained a good report,” meaning that people who knew them spoke of their good and upright qualities. In the very same chapter we find that these were those who had “obtained a good report though faith,” (Heb. 11:39). The word literally means, “To affirm that someone has seen or heard or experienced something that good in quality or manner.”
No matter what a man my say about himself, if people outside of the church cannot or will not say good things about him, he may not be a good candidate for deacon. A man’s character ought to be blameless so as to not bring about harm to the Church of Christ; that is that the general opinion of him and his character should be at least favorable concerning his personal conduct, not only at and around the church membership who respect or admire him, but above and beyond what are the facts of his conduct outside of the church? Not hearsay, but facts. For example, if he has a proven record of not paying his debts, or is known to frequent places that are of ill reputation. This would without a doubt bring dishonor to Christ and His church.
But I want to add here that there may be times when it is right to defy public opinion, especially when it is from those who hate our Lord and would falsely defame His name and His servants. And that’s the very reason that Paul tells us in 1st Timothy 3:10, “let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.”
Second, a deacon must be “full of the Holy Ghost.” The word “full” occurs many times in the scriptures: we see that Stephen was a “man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” and we find that he gave his life to the cause of the gospel of Christ (Acts 6:59-60); Luke tells us that Jesus was “full of the Holy Ghost” (Luke 4:1); John tells that the Word of God was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14); And we see that Barnabas was “full of the Holy Ghost and of faith” (Acts 11:24).
But what does it mean to be full of the Holy Ghost? Does it mean a spiritual quantity like one part faith and two parts Holy Ghost? Or does it refer to a spiritual quality? Yes and as I said before this most certainly must refer to a “quality” and not a “qualification,” a quality as in their character and sincere zeal for the cause of Christ and His church. The word “full” is the Greek word “pleres” (play’-race), which means, “to be covered in every part, thoroughly permeated with, complete and lacking nothing.” This refers to his whole being; his wholeheartedness if you will, his total and sincerity complete dedication to Christ and His Kingdom Church.
No man ought to be ever been considered, much less be placed within the office of deacon who is not growing in his spiritual and personal outlook. A man without a stable and mature spiritual outlook would quickly become be a curse and not a blessing to the church where he is expected to serve, and as has been the case for time to time a deadly foe to the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour. There can e much harm and despair that come to those who carelessly move to select and place a man who is without this important quality.
The men who are called to the office must be men who are first and foremost spiritual men. Their focus must be first and foremost to “seek first the Kingdom of God’ (the Church) ‘and His’ (Jesus Christ) ‘righteousness,” as it is in keeping with the Lord’s commandment in Matthew 6:33. This must be firmly established from the start; real and true spirituality is to be found first, not in words, but in a personal and living relationship between the man being considered and the Holy Ghost, of which can be clearly viewed in his walk and manner of life.
And third, a deacon must be full of “wisdom.” The English word “wisdom” comes from the Greek word “sophia” (sof-ee’-ah), and it refers to a wisdom that comes from God Himself, of whom James says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). We find this expression no less than fifty-one times in the New Testament. Luke tells us that child Jesus that He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus Christ is “the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24). This wisdom has a twofold meaning, first, and primarily it refers to that which can only be born in a relationship with God the Holy Ghost. Secondly, it refers to that one who is wise to the way and manner of the world and its corruption. He understands the words of the Apostle Paul when He tells the church at Galatia, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump,” (Gal. 5:9).
It’s only in this relationship with God that men are able to make wise choices, and that’s because they are wisely led. And I will add here that learned men are not necessarily wise men. What is required in a deacon is “wisdom” of a highest spiritual order.
“Deacons– Men Full of Faith”
This term is not directly stated but it is non-the-less necessary quality that is needed of a deacon to be a good and faithful steward of his office. As we looked Stephen last time we saw the evidence of his character with the good “quality” of being “full of faith.” The evidence of this faith is seen in the man whose emphasis in life and service is in the right place, and you are able to clearly see where his priorities are. When called upon to serve he stepped forward as a soldier who “put on the whole armour of God,” (read Eph. 6:11-18,) standing firm in the face of those who were opposed Jesus Christ and the gospel, he preached the truth even in the face of death.
Since these first deacons were without doubt men who were full of the Holy Ghost, it is evident to us that they were also men who were “full of faith.” For we have the witness of scripture that “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6), and we understand that “whatsoever is without faith is sin,” (Rom. 14:24). We as Old Baptist more than anyone understand the necessity of exercising and relying on the faith that God has given to us as His gift of grace.
Again looking at the little deacon Brother Stephen, and as we look at him we find that he was standing before the high priest and the Jewish council, and that “they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” (Acts 6:10). As the words came from his mouth they that opposed him were not able to resist him because he was filled with that very wisdom that comes to us only by and through the Spirit of God, and because he was “full of faith.”
In verse eleven we see that they were “suborned men, which said, we have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.” Now we will learn that this word “suborn” as it is used in this text comes from the Greek word “hupoballo” (hoop-ob-al’-lo) which means to come in with “stealth;” which means that they were very sly, sneaky and that they were masters of concealment. And these evil stood before all natural eyes to behold in the world as pretended men of righteousness, but inwardly they were “ravening wolves.” These men came in with lies and bore false witness against Brother Stephen. And along with them they brought in the best lawyers that their money could buy, but it was all to no avail, as they were fighting not against men, but against God Himself. So when these efforts failed to bring about their evil results, they brought in other false witnesses like themselves to stand and accuse him before the judges.
And being unable to resist the wisdom of his words, in the end they turned to that which is of the “natural man” that we read about in 1 Cor. 2:14, who “receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God,” and ran forward and they murdered Stephen. And even as they were casting the stones at him, and as he was taking his last breath, “he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56).
Consider this today, brothers and sisters, if deacons who are chosen today by the Old Line Churches of God, who are upheld by the power and grace of God, committed to the New Testament order of the Church of Christ Jesus, led by the Holy Ghost, having the welfare of the church in their mind, will we not like the first church move forward and have the full blessings of God to reside with us? Yes I believe that we most certainly will!
Yes, beloved the cost may very high, even as our little brother Stephen paid with his own life. Are we, each one of us in the house of God to give no less, and especially the ministry and the deacons? The answer most certainly is yes!
The next time we will try to focus in on the “business of the deacon.”
“Deacons– Waiting On Tables”
As we continue our thoughts concerning the office of deacon, and those who are to be placed within that office we come to the place where we must now consider the nuts and bolts of the office; the “waiting on of tables” as it were. But even as we move into this area of thought we still need to be mindful of the spiritual aspects of the office and of the man who we are considering for the office of deacon.
The man that is being considered for the office, (and only after his spiritual qualities have been established,) must be a “business man.” Now it’s time to consider the secular qualities that he must have to serve in the office of deacon. As you will recall back there in Acts chapter six, the apostles said, “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables” (Acts 6:2). This word “reason” used here means that with is not reasonable or plausible. These apostles were at that time filling both offices. They were performing the work of an elder, pastor, and deacon, and it was proper and fitting that they should to do so. But beloved these apostles; although they were wondrously blessed of God in their office; alas they are still only flesh and blood, and they were design thus by God with certain limitations…and with that being clearly understood, they simply could not do it all!
And this brings our minds to consider Moses in Exodus chapter 18, when the children of Israel left the land of Egypt, and he “sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.” It took Moses all day to perform this duty before God in his service to God’s people. Well as it happened Moses’ father-in-law saw this and he understood the enormous weight that was on Moses so he said, “What is this thing that thou doest to the people? Why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?” It was clear to him that this was far too much of a burden for Moses to carry all by himself, so he suggested (and no doubt this was according to the inspiration of God,) that he take and “teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.” And that he ought to seek “out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.” So Moses did what his father-in-law suggested; he “chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves” (Exo. 18:13-37).
And we find a similar situation that is a picture here in the first church at Jerusalem between the gospel ministry and the office of deacon. And we can clearly see that it was not “reasonable” for everyone in the church to expect them to perform all of this labour alone. And so God the Holy Ghost provided the church; elders/pastors and membership with the blessing of deacons!
These are the things that are necessary in their service to the Lord and to His elect people in the church. Here we find the first seven were “appointed” or ordained “over this business.” What business? Why it’s the business of the church! And so as it was then, so it is now, the first men who occupied the office of deacon were without any doubt businessmen! The word “business” comes from the Greek word chreia, (khri’-ah) and it means “need.” And this Greek word is translated in our King James Translation as “need,” and we see that it is translated in this manner no less than twenty-five times in the New Testament. But only once in this passage is it translated as “business.” And thus we can clearly see that there is NO scriptural authority to say that the deacons to be the sole financial leaders and decision makers of the church. It has always been and it is so today, the duty of the WHOLE BODY to govern itself by and through the leadership of the Holy Ghost, and NOT solely through the work of the flesh of man. There are some who have suggested that all finance committees should be only made up of deacons, this is simply not the case, no, the work of the deacon is the business of the church, or whatever business that the church deems necessary for the deacon to care for. No dear child of God, we as the church of God must always be mindful that it is the church, not the deacon who has this authority. The deacon, just like the elder is the servant of the church. And he too, like the elder/pastor is to provide the leadership, by which the congregation ought to follow, but this leadership MUST be under the direct leadership of God the Holy Ghost! But we must remember his calling is to the service of the church and the aid and assistance and direct support of the ministry within the church. And with this in mind it is good and desirable to choose out a godly man who posses a leadership ability and some good old common sense with effective know-how.
And we find that this “saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them” (Acts 6:5-6). And we also see that the church was blessed in this wonderful work because we read in Acts 6:7 that “The word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
Next time we’ll try to go over and consider the Apostle Paul’s letter to young brother Timothy in First Timothy chapter three, and look at the practicable qualities that are found there in.
“A Pastor/Elder and Deacon-Qualities of First Timothy Chapter Three”
The Apostle Paul writes to a young elder that we know as Timothy. Who it is believed was the pastor of the church at Ephesus. And his father in the ministry, the Apostle Paul, desired to give him; as well as all of the churches here today many good and beneficial instructions on how that we ought “to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15). And one extremely important bit of understanding that he brought forth for this young Brother Timothy and as I have already said, too we who are in the here and now, and these things are found in 1st Timothy chapter three.
Paul opens his letter to Timothy with these words, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.”Did you notice that he said something about the qualities of a bishop? What…we don’t use that term in the Old Baptist church do we? Okay so wants a bishop? And how does this bishop fit into our understanding of the Old Line Primitive Baptist Church? Do we have any bishops in the churches today…well do we? And right now you may be thinking to yourself “But Brother Thomas, I thought that we were going to be talking about the qualities of a deacon, so what about these qualities for a bishop that is mentioned here?” And in answer to the first question, I can resoundingly YES we most certainly DO have bishops in our churches, but we usually refer to them as our pastors. And in answer to the second question there are two separate, the office of elder/pastor and deacon are forever intertwined offices in the church. And as I have already written earlier clearly showing that the office of deacon was given to the church to support the ministry and to serve the membership of the body of the Church.
So as we consider the office of deacon we must of necessity also consider that of the office of a bishop/elder. Why? And again, as I have already stated the answer to that question is that these two offices are interconnected. We see that Paul opens his letter by saying that “If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” So again what about this little used term bishop? Well that’s a phrase that we don’t really hear too much in the Old Baptist Church too much today, mainly because it been to high jacked, distorted and misused by the religious orders of the world!
We will start with the bishop or pastor first because it is the first in order, both in office and scripturally. A Bishop or pastor is defined as the principal officer or pastor of the local church. Oh, and before I get off in to this too far, you may be asking your self “if these are the qualities that we ought to have in our pastor, then why do we as Old Line Primitive Baptists usually turn here and use these passages when we are considering ordaining an elder?” And the simple answer to that question must be that when we set aside a man to preach the gospel of the good news of Jesus Christ, we must remember that he most like will someday be called to pastor a congregation of the Lord’s people. And so we must be watching for these qualities that Paul has set forth for us today. And elder/pastor and deacon should have the good desire to measure himself against these qualities that are found in 1 Timothy chapter three.
Lets read now from 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.”
And as we take out time to consider these passages lets not loose sight of the subject of deacon’s…remember they are interconnected by God the Holy Ghost. And so I’ll try to keep them as brief as is possible; a bishop or elder “must be blameless.” By the word blameless we mean several things, first, he must not being guilty of some crime. He must be above any real suspicion of an evil and wicked conduct. Second, he ought to be without guile, or deceit, open and honest in his conduct and speech. His life must be one of unblemished by wholesome clean living. And lastly he must be harmless to God’s people.
Next, he must be “the husband of one wife.” Now I must point out something concerning the office of both the pastor/elder and the deacon, they both must be “the husband of one wife” which excludes any woman from these offices. I know that it has become popular these days to attempt to do just the opposite, but to do so is in direct violation of the word of God. Okay, that being said lets continue on. He must only have ONE LEAGAL, SCRIPTURAL WIFE! He cannot have two or more living wives. If he has put away or divorced his wife it must be on scriptural grounds, of which Jesus Himself has very well defines for us in Mat 5:32, “But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication,’ (that is to say sexual sin) ‘causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.”
He must be “vililgent,” which means that he must be watchful for the enemy, who comes into the fold in sheep’s clothing and would do the flock great harm, and who would bring in unsound doctrines and practices, causing disharmony among God’s people.
He must be “sober,” which means that he is to have good, sound judgment. He must be a person who is restrained, clear-headed and orderly in his counsel. And also that he must not be self-possessed or selfish with his time and resources.
He must be “of good behaviour,” which means that his public and private manners or conduct must be morally good and upright.
He must be “given to hospitality,” which means a lover of strangers, to those who come in and visit the churches. He must be the person who is the first person to express the love of God to those who are at first are strange and unfamiliar to us. And let me add something here too. This quality has, more often than not, been misapplied by the world to mean that we are to love all of mankind. But the scriptures abundantly teach that this love is to be for only those to whom God has ordained to eternal life, i.e. the living children of God, even if they are at times considered as being our enemies, as we read in both Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27, we are to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
He must be “apt to teach.” Oh, and how important is this quality? With God’s people praying for him and with the guidance and blessings of the Holy Ghost he must be quick to learn and quick to teach. His teaching ought to be sound in doctrine, and given in a timely and suitable manner.
He must “not given to wine,” which means that he must not be a drunkard. This does not mean that he is not to drink alcohol, but that he must be moderate, and have self-control. If we find any man who cannot control his drinking and is known to be a drunkard he ought not to be considered to fill any office in the church, and must be dealt with by the body of the church to exercise discipline for such a one.
He must not be “striker,” which means that he must not be quarrelsome. He must not be apt to become violent. For just as the Lord told Peter in Matthew 26:52, “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”
He must not be “greedy of filthy lucre.” But what is “lucre?” Lucre is an old English term for money, riches, wealth and gain. His service must not be one that is measured by how much he will get for his service. He must be willing to serve equally to the poor as well as the wealthy. Basically he must not be guilty of being covetous or selfish.
He must be “patient,” which means that he one who perseveres, always moving forward in and through all of the work that God has set before him in the Church Kingdom of Heaven. He must be steadfast, forbearing and diligent in his calling before the Lord and His people which he serves.
He must not be a “brawler,” which means that he must be a peace maker! He lives his life in accordance to the Master’s words in Matthew 5:9 saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” And so when there are disagreements and hurt feelings within the body of the church, he must be the first, but NOT the only person who seeks to restore peace. And as we have already said he must no be a “striker.” He will be the first among others who will invoke the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 5:23 and 24, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
He must not be “covetous,” which means that he must be generous, and not selfishly indulging of his own appetites for the gifts that God has blessed other with. He does not desire to have what another has received. He will rejoice in the blessings that God has given to others as much as he does for the blessings that He has received from His hand.
I believe that I will try pause here for now until the next time, where we will try and pick up again with the quality of the pastor/elder and deacon who is “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?)” in First Timothy 3:4. May God bless you with the grace to “stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.”
“A Pastor/Elder and Deacon-“Qualities” of First Timothy Chapter- Ruling his own house well”
We will now continue on in our thought concerning the pastor/elder and of the deacon as we find it in 1st Timothy chapter 3, and verse 4 and 5, “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?).” I can’t stress how important that this quality and again I stress the belief that it is a quality and not a qualification for theoffices of both the pastor/elder as well as the deacon. Especially as we have already established previously that these two offices are “intertwined” in their service with one another, and in their service to the church body.
We read in Acts 21:8-9, “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. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.” Notice if you will that a pastor/elder and a deacon must be a family man. This was not Philip the apostle, but the very same Philip that we find who was chosen and set aside by the church for the apostles or elders to lay their hands on in order to fill the first office of a deacon in Acts 6:5. And if we are to believe our historical accounts this happens about twenty years after this Brother Philip was ordained to the office of deacon. Without a doubt we can say that he was indeed a FAMILY MAN! And we also can see that in Acts 8:5, some years later that he was set aside, leaving the office of deacon, to the office of an elder. We know this because preached Christ to people in “the city of Samaria.” And it was also at this time that he had his experience with the Ethiopian eunuch, who was returning from worshipping in the temple at Jerusalem on the road to Gaza. But I want to emphasize that Philip was a MARRIED MAN…he was a FAMILY MAN! And again I’m not saying that a pastor/elder or a deacon MUST be married, but I am saying that it must be shown…proven that he has the quality of being a family man. Do you see what I’m trying to say here? Remember Paul asks the question, “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” And this question must be answered before anyone is set into an office in the service of the church of the Living God. Beloved how many times have we, as members of the Primitive Baptist Church visited in the homes of the families of such precious pastors/elders and faithful deacons while we traveled away to meetings? I know that I have been thus blessed on many an occasion.
Marriage and the home are of Divine origin. God created man by a direct act of creation, He breathed life into his nostrils and the man became a “living soul.” And unlike the beast of the field he came into the union of one man and one woman, as a picture of the relationship between Christ; the Bridegroom, and the church, His Bride. If this admonition goes unheeded, the effectiveness of the man’s pastorship/eldership and deaconship will be greatly diminished.
And we find that in 1 Tim. 3:11-12 that we are to consider the wives of such men, for the Apostle Paul also tells us a little something about their wives, he writes “And 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.” Keep in mind and let’s not loose sight of the fact that the offices of a pastor/elder and a deacon are intertwined by God’s design. Now, let me add a thought here, this most certainly excludes the possibility of any women being placed in the office of a pastor/elder and a deacon, because it’s impossible for her to be the “husband of one wife.” However it is also equally clear that the wives of the pastor/elder and deacon should enter into the responsibilities along side of their husbands and share in the sweet promises of their office in support of their husbands without being publicly set apart by the church in an ordination service.
But does this mean that having a wife is a prerequisite for being a deacon? And I would be quick to say that the answer is no, it does not mean that at all. But this scripture most certainly does teach us that he must be the husband of one wife; that is…IF HE IS ALREADY MARRIED. The emphasis is without any doubt upon the fact that there is must only be one wife. It’s safe to say that a man; pastor/elder and deacon must not have two legal wives according to the laws of God…that is to say living wives. And it does not matter what men may tell us, our confidence does not lie with man, but in the word of God. That is to say that if he is divorced, this must have met with the requirement that are set forth by our Lord Jesus Christ who said, “except a man put away his wife for other than fornication’ (that is to say sexual sin) ‘he causes her to commit adultery, and any man who marries such a one commits adultery.” And so any men or women who divorces for any other reason, and if they remarry they must be considered to have more than one living, legal wife, especially in the eyes of God, and therefore they ought never to be considered for ANY office in the church. And for that matter if such were found to be within the membership of the church body, it would become necessary for the church to deal with him. And any such who holds an office and fall into such a state should be removed from that office.
But by now you are not doubt asking yourself, “Well Brother Thomas, what about an unmarried man? Can an unmarried man be called to the office deacon?” And my answer to that question would be “yes.”But it should be understood by this man that if this is chosen by the church, that before he accepts the office, that if he were to marry that he abide according to the scriptures as in 2 Cor 6:14 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” He ought to not go aside of the church and into the world to seek his wife, and why not? Well, simply because this action is liable to become the cause of confusion within the church that he is serving. Before he marries he must first consider the office to which God has provided for him to serve, to which the church has placed him in. He must consider whether or not the person he wishes to marry will accept without any reservation the primary obligations of his office. He must, and this with must prayer, consider the question of “What will his prospective bride bring to his office?” Will she bring the things that God expects, and the church must have in order to insure the proper function in the blessings of God? Will she live the life of a deacon’s wife? He must ever be mindful that his sacred vow was made first to God and before the church, and that this vow is for life. And because of the sacredness of his obligations to his calling he must consider all of these questions so as to know what his marriage will mean to his service to God and His elect children in the House of God.
And to the woman of who is considering become a deacon’s wife, she must also prayerfully consider something too. To start out with, the very fact that this man is a pastor/elder or a deacon will affect the kind of home that he MUST have. Is she thus willing to live in the manner that is required in order for her to be able to support him in his God called ministry? She must be willing to do so, or not enter into this union. And as she considers these questions, let me say a word of encouragement here, his office will have both a demand on, as well as a wonderful contribution to the home that she will have. If she and her husband live faithfully in accordance with and in the manner of good stewards before the church of Christ, I am certain that God will bless their family with His untold blessings. And so with these things in mind she should very carefully, and with much prayer consider what it means to be a deacon’s wife, along with the things that her husband is expected to do as a man who is to be of service to God and His elect children in the Church Kingdom of Heaven. She should read and meditate on the passages found in 1 Tim 3:11 asking herself am I willing to be a wife who is “grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things,” and especially the latter part of the verse, “faithful in all things.” All of these things must be considered before he enters into the union of marriage.
So we will pause here until next time when we will more fully undertake to consider the qualities of a deacon’s wife. God bless you dear ones.
“Deacons– The Qualities of the Wives”
The last time we were considering the thought how that a deacon ought to rule “well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.” And that he ought to be a “family man,” if not in practice it ought to be in his heart. Now lets move on to the next thought which is the consideration of some of the particular “qualities of a deacons’ wife.” What kind of wife must she be according to the word of God? I’m sure that most folks probably didn’t even know that the Bible had anything to say about the wives of deacons, but it does, and so here it is. First of all, we read in 1 Timothy 3:11, “Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.” Well okay now maybe there are some wives who may be thinking in their hearts “Why do I have to be considered at all, after all I’m not the person that is being ordained?” And I’m equally sure that there are going to others who will be thinking the same things here too. And as to that I would say, I agree and I understand why you all might be thinking that too. But be that as it may the Apostle Paul, being guided by the Holy Ghost considered the role that the wives of those men whom are chosen and ordained into the office of deacon to have a very critical role in the lives of their husbands, especially in the support of their ministry and service as a pastor/elder and a deacon. This is the most important God given and God blessed role that any woman could have within the church body, superior only to that of their worship of God Himself. It so sad and harmful that the world has had such a negative influence in shaping the image of women today. But oh, how wonderful is the sacred duty of the wife of a Godly deacon. The can be no doubt that she will be most wondrously blessed in her personal life as well as that of the family that she is working to raise. Her duties toward her husband aid him in his being able to…in the most effect manner….perform his duties in his service to our Lord Jesus Christ and His elect Church. And in order for this to occur his beloved wife must have these God given “qualities.”
First, she must herself be “grave.” This means that she must be “venerated” in her character. I have chosen the word “venerated” because it best describes that good and godly woman is worthy of respect. She ought to be a person of full age; she must be a woman who is of a mature mind and heart. This has nothing to do with her physical age, but it is that which can only seen as her inner spiritual “quality” which flows only by and though the Spirit of God. Little child of God, I truly believe if you are considering any man for the office of deacon that the true evidence of the fact that his wife has this “quality” of being “venerated” will show itself by the very fact that she will honestly believe that she doesn’t fit the description and is totally unworthy and unfit that the Apostle Paul writes of here in this text. However I’m equally sure that the members of the church will be able to see it manifested in her.
She ought to be a person who lives a life with reverence toward God, having a deep sense of respect for the cause of Christ, and His Kingdom Church. She ought to be serious about her role that God Himself has called her into as the wife, mother and a pillar of support to her husband in his efforts to serve not only the ministry and the church membership, but his service that are to herself as a deacon. I can’t stress how critical this “quality” is in the life and ministry of her family as a whole, nor can I under emphasize its worth to her husband. To be “grave” she must be of a stable character, reflecting her God given “worthwhileness” in her personal bearing and a “genuiness” in her faith which is observed by the people in the church. And you can believe me when I say that this “quality” is not something that she will be able to manufacture, but is that which God has placed within her very being. And even as her husband is being considered for his office, she ought to be patiently praying to God, her Master, that He would bless her in this endeavor by which He too is calling her to undertake. I know that God does indeed answer such requests!
A deacon’s wife, we are told in 1 Timothy 3:11, must have the “quality” of not being a “slanderer.” Let’s consider the word “slanderer” that is used here very carefully for just a minute. The Greek word that is used here is the word “diabolos,” and this is the only place the New Testament where is translated in this way, e.g. as “slanderer.” Most of the times that we find this Greek word; we find that it is translated by the English word “devil,” which it is the way that it is translated no less than 35 times in our King James Bible. And in two other places we find that it is translated as a “false accuser.” Therefore we must conclude that a deacon’s wife is not to be any of the things that this word describes. Have you ever met a person who is a “slanderer?” This is a person who will be quick to secretly say things in the form of a gossiper. They will secretly tell others things of a false nature in order to damage the character or reputation of another brother or sister.
We can clearly see how that the word would aptly apply here, because the word “devil” literally means to be a “false accuser.” We find in the book of Job a passage where Satan comes in among the “sons of God,” (Job 1:6; 2:1) and accuses Job to God, saying in effect, “If you really knew Job, you would know that he is not really faithful to you.” This is the voice of a “slanderer.” He suggests to God that if he himself could only be aloud to have all of Job’s cattle, family and his position, and if only God were to allow him to remove them from him that Job would curse God to his face. Of course the things that follow prove that Satan is a liar, and as Jesus tells us in John 8:44 that Satan “Was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
The wife of a deacon is one who has the privilege of communicating with other members of the church to which her husband is to serve. And there are few deacons, as well as elders/pastors that can avoid going home and talking to their wives about the burdens of church troubles that may be heavy upon their hearts. And that is as it ought to be, but it’s also a good springboard from which a woman (or a man if a deacon does not use proper discretion) can then go out and make false accusations in the form of “idle gossip” about other people. We are told that a deacon is to not be “doubletongued” and that his wife is to have a “careful tongue.” There is nothing that can destroy a deacon’s usefulness more quickly than a wife who has a careless or malicious tongue.
The deacon’s wife must be “sober.” This means that she is to be “temperate.” Surely this means that she lives her life “well,” that she has the “quality” of having a balance that abstains from the hurtful and harmful things and has a life that treats the good things of life with the “moderation” that would be pleasing to God. She is the kind of wife who desires in her heart of hearts that her husband will be the kind of deacon that he ought to be in his rendering of the most effective service that he can give; with the “qualities” that God has set forth in His word concerning the deacon’s wife.
She is to be “faithful in all things.” This means that she ought to be dedicated and willing to consecrate and contribute her husband to his work as a deacon. She ought to understand that if God has indeed called her husband to fill the office of a deacon, that He be faithful to also set her aside and equip her to the task as well. She too has a holy calling in her place within the office of her husband. He must have her support in order for him to be the most effective deacon that God has called him to be. Without her support it will not be impossible for him to serve, God can still bless him to be of a good serve without her, but what a wonderful blessing it is when she is a continuing blessing to him in his efforts as well as to her church in his calling if she will be the woman that God has called her to be.
Beloved, if she loves her husband she is ready and willing to share him with those to whom he is called to serve. First, her husband must go out and earn a living. She understands that he must get up in the morning and go off to do that which his job requires of him. And she understands that when he returns home again that this demand will consume a certain amount of his vitality and energy from him. And in addition to this she understands that his responsibilities of the office of deacon are not just a temporary thing, but are a way of life to which he will serve for his entire life. And second, she also understands that there will also be inescapable demands that will be made upon him because he is a deacon. And she is willing to share him with the church and its service for the glory of Christ Jesus and His Kingdom Church.
She must face the fact that there is time to be spent at his job, and now time will be demanded for the work which he will do in his church as a deacon. And in all of this he will need her sympathetic, prayerful and loving encouragement as she dedicates her husband to God and to Jesus Christ and His dear Church Kingdom. This is no time for her to sit down and have a good critical talk about the shortcomings and faults of the church membership. But this is the time to talk about the blessings of the Lord and the privileges of serving Christ, about how God has greatly blessed them both, and a time to remember how He has brought them both safely through each and every one of their trials and tribulations. And in so doing God will add to her His love with true blessings that are not of this world.
Well we will once again pause here until next time when we will continue our thoughts about the office of a deacon, and we will take out the time to answer the question of “Deacons– How many do we need and for how long?”
“Deacons-How Many Do We Need? And For How Long?”
In our last effort to write about the office of a deacon, we took up the thoughts concerning the “qualities” of a deacon’s wife. Which I believe that’s the gifts that God provides for each wife when He calls a man into the office in order to serve the body of Christ, so now I think that it would be good for us to go on now and if God will bless us I would like to try to say a few things about the process concerning “How many deacons do we need? And how long do they serve?”
These are two separate questions that must be answered in order to fully understand the office of deacon and in order to fully reap the benefits of the office as it has been designed by God. First, as to the first question, how many do we need? Then “how may deacons to we need to have?” But to the second question, how can we know for certain how many deacons will be necessary and appropriate to effectively serve the church body and membership?
To get the answer to both questions I believe that we ought to be able to go now back once again and take look at the original pattern that we find in Acts chapter six, and let the Holy Ghost by and through the Holy Scriptures be our only rule and guide. Let’s go back again and taker a look at the original seven who were chosen by the church at Jerusalem and were set before the apostles who were to lay their hands upon them. Remember the church chose out seven brethren and they chose “Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.” We notice right away that the number of men that were selected was not dictated to them by the scriptures. They chose “seven.” But there is no hard set places in the scriptures that would instruct any church today as to the number that would be necessary within any particular church membership. So again how many do we need?
And I will venture to say here that it seems clear to me that the emphasis that we find in the sixth chapter of Acts has more to do with the number of men required to take care of the “business” of the church rather than the number of the men themselves that were selected by the church body. I know that this must at first seem a little hazy, but let me say here too that often there are for more deacons that are needed in a church with a greater membership, than would be required for a smaller membership. And beloved common sense dictates to us that the larger the church membership, and so it’s seems clear that the greater the needs of the body would be.
Do you see where I’m going with this? The number of deacons is a direct reflection to the demands of the office. In order to determine the number of the deacon’s that are needed, there must first be a prayerful consideration made to determine the needs of the church body as a whole. As we consider the first church in Acts chapter six. They had a need, remember that the church had determined that the “widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” And I am certain that the membership must have taken out the proper time for prayer and making their request known to God concerning their needs. And it was determined that in order to meet the needs of the body for care for the “daily ministration” of these faithful widows the number seven was set in the minds of the church. And therefore they called the seven, and set them before the elders of the church.
I don’t know, and we are not told how many members were in that first church, but they were able to say how that they needed to undergo the proper service in the body. Do we understand this principle? And so I would think that it would be safe and proper to say that the “business” of the individual church that will be carried out by the deacon or deacons will determine the numbers needed on a very personal level. And therefore the number of deacons ought to direct reflection the size and service of the church, as well as the number of male members that are available to fill the office.
But now a word of warning! And I must emphasize this once again…the church should never be tempted to elect and set apart men who do not have the “qualities” simply because a certain number of men are needed to deal with any work. Oh, beloved let me say that it is far better for a church to do with only a few deacons or none at all, rather than to place the wrong men for the office. The truth is that the church should ALWAYS BE WATCHFUL for godly men who do qualify for the office and who are willing to serve.
And as to the second question, “how long will they serve?” But before I answer that question let me remind the church about how important that each and every “quality” of the person that is being considered for the office must have been prayerfully considered and that the whole body must have followed (with much patience) all of the proper steps before setting someone into such a responsibility that is to be laid upon the care of these men. All the care must be taken to NOT take any short cuts in this most holy matter. Remember we are about to call a pastor/elder or a deacon into one of the highest offices that any mortal man will ever under take in this life. The offices within the church are greater than that that is held by the president of the United States. And this office is to be held for their entire life! Beloved the fact is that “once a deacon, always a deacon;” so when a man is set apart by the church and ordained by the laying on of hands he is, as it was with the Old Line Baptists churches from the beginning to serve as deacon until as in the marriage “till death.” With the only exception or limitation being that the man’s ordination may be revoked for wrong conduct.
So now we can clearly see how that we must have God’s guidance in such a matter that will not only effect the church for years to follow, but will have a great and lasting effect on the life of the man chosen by the church, as well as his natural family. Therefore let us do as the Apostle admonished the church at Corinth in 1 Cor. 14:40, were he said, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
May God bless you dear ones. And if the Lord will bless us and you will continue to pray we will try to go on into the “process of selecting a deacon.”
“Deacons-The Process of Selection”
In our last issue we took out a little bit of time to consider the question of how many deacons are need in a church, and how long should they serve. And now we will try to move forward and take up the understanding of the exact process required in selecting a deacon. So lets began by saying that that the office of deacon is something that is not sought after, at least it ought not to be something that someone goes about trying to promote themselves for, I say this because there cannot be even a hint of ambition in this matter of selecting a deacon; but it has always been from the beginning, and still is today solely the initiative and discretion of the church through the leading of the Holy Ghost.
To start the process of the selecting of a deacon there must be a need in the church. Conditions must be at a point where is becomes obvious that there is or will soon be a need for selecting a man or men to fill the office of deacon. And a deacon ought not to be considered when there is NO NEED within the church body. We recall back in our original pattern in Acts chapter six that there was a need in the first church. And to fill that need seven men were chosen and set into the office to aid the ministry in the service of the church.
It should be that the pastor and other deacons, as well as the church membership ought to have been discussing this need among themselves long before the question of choosing a deacon come to the forefront. They all should already have been praying to “the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:38).
And then this having been done the pastor should call for a conference to of the church body to consider these men. The pastor and deacons should have already prayerfully considered the “qualities” of each of the men that they are about to consider putting before the church. And with conference being opened, the nominations should then be brought before the body for further consideration.
There should be the same spirit of unity and participation that follows after the original pattern that is set forth for us in the sixth chapter of Acts. The man or men that are set forth for consideration should be selected by the prayerful counsel of God the Holy Spirit. I can’t stress this enough, prayer must undergird each and every selection, every choice, and every action that is to be taken by the church. And since the New Testament has only two offices in the church, it becomes imperative that we as the church must not move without the vital element of prayer, and guidance by the Holy Ghost, or else there can be almost irreparable mistakes made by being careless about the selection of people to these offices. We MUST have the leadership of the Holy Ghost; and so I again stress the importance that we move quickly to seek His will, counsel and guidance!
Every good and faithful church, along with her praying membership must ever be watchful for what the needs of the body are. And we find that such a church has a good and faithful pastor and good faithful deacons who long before the need becomes detrimental to the church will have already began the discussion of the considering of choosing new deacons. And it is the pastor who probably above all others ought to be vitally interested in this selection. This is because of the position to which God has called him and the confidence of the church membership in his leadership through the work of the Holy Spirit, which makes it necessary to consider his judgment to be of great value. The church membership holds to the fact that their relationship with their pastor is one that is born out of the will of God.
But we must remember that the church must not rely solely on the pastor and the deacons (which happens in far too many instances,) to make the selection. Yes, it’s true that the pastor has the overall leadership role under the authority of Jesus Christ, but it is to be ardently understood that he is still, and will always be a servant to the will of God and the church to which he serves, i.e. the congregation. And we ought to be very careful to not elevate any human being to the point of being “lorded over God’s heritage.”
Notice too that the first deacons were “appointed” or “ordained” by the apostles, but they were chosen or elected by the congregation. This is our God given pattern that we are to follow after. And with that being said, I am certain that it is always a good thing for the church to consult with their pastor in this matter, and to prayerfully consider his recommendations, but I am equally certain that the choice still and always will belong to the church as a whole.
The most frequent method of selecting a deacon is during the conference meeting, after much consideration, the pastor, serving as the Moderator calls upon the church to put forth nominations. This places the initiative on the congregation, with each member having an equal opportunity to speak on the matter. After nominations have been passed on and accepted by the Moderator. Then he will move to consider the floor open to the congregation for each member to discuss the merits and “qualities” of each nominee. It is at this point that if any one knows of any reason why a person who has been nominated is not “qualified” and ought not to hold the office in light of the New Testament scriptures, they are to openly say so at this time. This is the correct time to do this because it is not appropriate to call into question these matters after the person has been placed into his office! After which he will call for a vote, either with ballets that are laid out for open inspection by all the membership, or by a voice vote. And the church having made their choice will then move on to have the nominee set before the elders for the laying on of hands in a duly formed presbytery. The Moderator will then appoint a set time to ordain the person or persons that the church have selected, and then he will then send out word, usually by letter to other sister churches of whom are of the same faith and that he is certain are in scriptural order of the Old Line Primitive Baptist Church requesting that they each send forth any ordained help in the effort to set upon a presbytery.
And in the next issue, we try undertake to go into the actual ordination service. May God bless us to serve Him in His Kingdom church.
“Deacons- The Ordination”
In our last issue we undertook try to attempt to examine the process of choosing the man or men to fill the office of a deacon. And now this brings us down to the actual service that may be used by the church to ordain them to the office.
After the church has made its choice of deacons and these men have thus committed themselves to the office in all of its meaning of service as we have discussed previously in other articles, then the church along with her pastor will move to call for their sister churches to send ordained elders and deacons to aid in the service of ordination.
We find that the scriptures speak of the “laying on of hands” by the apostles and elders of the churches. And although I will write about the actual service used in the church by the presbytery, I will say that this does not mean that each individual church ought to be bound to follow after the one that I will outline here. But I do believe that there ought to be within each individual service certain basic scriptural principles in order to govern the ordination service.
First, the service ought to magnify the Lord God as well as the office to which the man or men are being placed into, in order to be of service to the church that has called for the ordination. Second, the whole membership of the ordaining church should, as much as is possible, be present at the proceedings. Third, the service should be conducted with dignity and sincerity as a sacred moment in the life of the church and the man or men who are to occupy the office.
The service should first be opened with prayer by someone that has either selected by the pastor or the nominee. After which the pastor of the church calls for the formation of the presbytery, who are then seated. After which the pastor will ask the members of the presbytery if they are satisfied with members of the presbytery as seated. If there is any objection to someone as to their calling or their order this is the time to state it, and bring forth their reasons. After which the pastor and the church will consider whether or not the objection is valid. And then the pastor will ask the church, who ought to appoint a spokesman from among the male membership to represent the church, if they are satisfied with the presbytery. This being answered in the affirmative, the pastor will request that the members of the presbytery elect a moderator, which is usually, but is not always the case, the pastor of the ordaining church, followed by the electing of a clerk from the members of the setting presbytery. This may be either an elder of a deacon.
Next, the Moderator will request that the church spokesman come forward and take a seat before the presbytery and the ordaining church. Then the moderator will ask if the church and the members of the presbytery if they are satisfied with all of the members and proceedings thus far.
This being answered in the affirmative the moderator will ask that the candidate be seated by the church spokesman before the church and the presbytery. Then the moderator will give an explanation of the office of the deacon; the significance and the service which this man to be ordained has accepted. Then the moderator will move to call for the members of the presbytery to select an elder to interrogation or question the nominee as to certain matters of his faith and understanding of the scriptures and of the doctrines and practices of the Old Line Primitive Baptist Church, and their choice of an elder who will give the charge to the candidate, followed be the choice of an elder who will deliver the ordination prayer; which may chosen by the nominee but must be approve by the members of the presbytery.
And all of this having been completed to the satisfaction of the members of the presbytery, and the church; the interrogating elder will come forward and question the nominee as to his understanding of the doctrines of God and the Old Line Primitive Baptist Church of Christ. After which the moderator will ask each member of the presbytery if they have any further questions that they would like to ask. This being done he will ask the presbytery and the church spokesman if they are satisfied with the answers given by the nominee.
This will be followed by the laying on of hands by the presbytery, during which the elder who was previously chosen will offer up the ordination prayer.
This being completed the moderator will ask the church spokesman to bring forward the wife of the newly ordained deacon (if he is married) to be seated next to her husband and the elder who has been previously chosen will deliver the charge to the new deacon, and his wife as to their duties to the church that her husband is serving, to one another, and to and the church as to their responsibilities to support their newly ordained deacon.
All being completed to the satisfaction of the presbytery and the church, the moderator will proceed to deliver the newly ordained deacon to the service of the church. The moderator will then move to dissolve presbytery and the pastor will then extend the right hand of fellowship to the newly ordained deacon.
Beloved, let us who are the true disciples of Christ always endeavor to keep and to maintain the proper order that in the Church Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, being careful to not cause any suggestion of impropriety or disorder, disharmony either directly or indirectly reflect upon His cause. And in so doing I firmly believe that we reap the blessings of God the Father who will send us the Holy Ghost to dwell with us as we undertake to serve Him in such a way that we will give Him all the praise, glory and honour that He is rightly due, and that He will bless us in our efforts, saying, “well done thou good and faithful servant.” May God bless you and keep you all in His grace and mercy.
Elder Thomas McDonald
Four Gifts of the Gospel Ministry
Eph. 4:8 “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 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.” In the above scripture we see the four gifts of the gospel ministry. These four gifts are:
1. Apostles
2. Prophets
3. Evangelists
4. Pastors and Teachers.
It is the Lord who gave these gifts and it is the work of the Holy Spirit to call men to the work of those gifts.
There are similarities and differences in all four of these gifts.
The similarities in these four gifts include the fact that they are all called of God and send of God and preach the same gospel in power and demonstration of Spirit and all are laboring in the Kingdom of God and are working to the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ. They all are attempting to feed God’s people with the spiritual food of God’s word. There truly are more similarities than differences between the four gifts.
The main difference between the four gifts of the gospel ministry is the extent of their work. First the apostles had to be eye witnesses of the resurrected Christ. They were given authority that the other gifts weren’t given in the establishment of church government and ordinances that were given them from the Lord. They like the apostles had a direct revelation of God’s word to deliver unto the people. There were also signs which were associated with the apostles that the other gifts of the gospel ministry did not have. They, like the prophets, and the evangelists went forth to various locations doing the work of evangelists in carrying forth the gospel.
The prophets did not have to be eye witnesses of the resurrected Christ, but they were given a revelation from God of His word to deliver to the people. They like, the evangelists went forth to various locations doing the work of evangelists in carrying forth the gospel.
The evangelists did not have to be eye witnesses of the resurrected Christ, nor were they given a revelation of God word to deliver to the people. They did go forth to various locations doing the work of the evangelists in carrying forth the gospel.
The pastors and teachers did most of the work in the church of which they were made overseers by the Holy Spirit. Their work is primarily in that location until or if the Holy Spirit directs them to another location. They have the responsibility in that location to teach and preach to God’s people to edify and build them up in the most holy faith that was once delivered to the saints. In this location, they also do the work of the evangelists, but don’t generally go to various locations as the evangelists, prophets, and apostles did.
When the cannon of scripture was completed, then there ceased to be the need for apostles and prophets and thus today we have the two gifts that remain of evangelist and pastor and teacher.
Seven Gifts in the Church
By
Elder Michael Ivey
In I Corinthians 12 Paul identified several gifts, some of which were sign gifts that are unique to the first century church, such as the miraculous ability to speak a foreign language without any prior knowledge of the language. In Ephesians 2:20 Paul distinguished the foundational gifts of prophets and apostles that were also unique to the first century church. In Ephesians 4:11 he identified the ministerial gifts of evangelist and pastor/teacher that yet exist. In Romans 12 Paul identified seven additional gifts which are yet found in the church. They are, prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, and showing mercy.
The context of Romans 12 indicates that these gifts are not restricted by church office. They are found among the membership in general. He makes no distinction as to the value of one category of gift over another, indicating that the gifts are given as a measure of God’s grace. He suggests that not every member has every gift and also notes that there are different administrations of the same gifts. That is, the use or application of the same gift may be different from one person to the next. Paul tells us that gifts are to be used in proportion to one’s faith. From this we may conclude that God directs the proper use of gifts. The numerous administrations and operations of these seven gifts attend to the physical, emotional and, to a certain degree, spiritual necessities of church members. There is no circumstance of essential physical or emotional need that, from a godly perspective, cannot be addressed by the various ministrations of one or more of the gifts.
In this regard, Paul’s metaphor of the human body and the church thoroughly applies. The human body requires natural food and water by which it supplies each component with nourishment. The body of the church is supplied with spiritual food from God, which is administered by the functionality of gifts. The human body is sustained by proper functioning of each of its component systems. A church is sustained by proper ministration of each gift. The human body, using various physiological systems, breaks down natural food and supplies it to each component of the body to maintain physical and mental health. The church, through faithful operations of administrations of gifts by each member, supplies each whatever measure of physical support and/or spiritual encouragement needed to maintain spiritual health and overall Christian functionality. Each component or system in the human body has a specific, irreplaceable function that serves the common good of the whole body. Each church member, utilizing the gift God has given, also has a specific and vital function that serves the common good of the whole church.
The seven gifts God gives in the churches are exercised by administrations and operations of seeable, touchable faith in the community of the church. Members use their respective gifts to aid and support one another. The ability to administer gifts differently in various operations means that the same gift may be used in numerous ways, as defined by need and spiritual direction. Thus, every challenge the church faces, either collectively or as a single member, has the potential of being addressed by every gift of every member. No one is left out. In this, the church is analogous to the human body: To function properly both need all their parts doing their respective jobs. These seven gifts are given by God according to the grace he gives us. One or more are given to each child of God. They are revealed as aptitudes, which very often are used in our secular vocations. God allows this. However, His primary intent, in the context of Romans 12, is that they be used to the edification of the church and the glory of God. When a member faithfully exercises his gift he can reasonably expect the ministrations or, ways it is exercised, to increase; with faithful ministration he grows in grace. Further, based upon the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, it is also reasonable to believe that when a member faithfully executes the responsibilities of his gift God will impart a new gift, whereby he may also grow in grace.
These gifts are the context for seeable, touchable faith. It is through their ministration that members manifest their faithfulness to God. They are the framework whereby faith is shown by works. Vertical fellowship with God is accomplished and demonstrated by the horizontal fellowship of a seeable, touchable good works faith toward one another. This cross index of faithfulness places church members in the central position of rendering out flowing services of faith to one another, whereby upward flowing faith to God occurs as devotional glory. The Savior taught the reality of the principle of God receiving upflow glory from outflow rendered services in Matthew 25:3440. He said that as often as one child of God renders a service to another child of God he considers the service as being rendered to him. Rendering service to one another confirms faithful discipleship to Christ Jesus. Thus, cutting timber, clearing land, building cabin’s and generally seeing to the needs of one another, as demonstrated by the church community of Sandy Creek Baptist Church, was seeable, touchable faith which edified the church and glorified God.
Prophecy
Prophecy is defined as the ability to foretell events. In the Bible this includes both Old and New Testament prophets who, by divine revelation, were able to accurately detail future occurrences. The definition also includes preaching the gospel by divine liberty. I have chosen not address these administrations of the gift. The gift of prophecy, as it is given to members of the general assembly, is an ability to wisely discern the consequences of decisions or actions. It is the gift of wise counsel. This gift is often manifest as steadfastness. The brother or sister who carefully weighs consequence before taking action possesses this gift. It is the spiritually directed ability to know what to say and when to say it. It may include insight into cause and effect relative to human nature. At the same time, it is not judgmental. The gift is not meant to be used to judge or condemn people. It is a support which may help others sort out thoughts and events and determine a proper course of action. It does not direct or invoke. It gently identifies potential dangers or blessings based upon various actions that might be taken in a given situation.
Solomon was blest with the gift of prophecy as it now exists in the church. The most revealing example of his possession of this gift is recorded in I Kings 3:25. There, he commanded that a sword be brought to him. He expressed his intention to divide an infant and give one half to each of two women who were fighting over it. Solomon was able to discern the consequence of expressing an intent to give each woman one half of the baby. By spiritually directed discernment he understood that a loving mother would give up her child rather than see it harmed. Solomon was not gambling with the child’s life, because his understanding of the consequence of expressing an intent to divide the child was a faithful operation of the gift of prophecy. The Lord gave him spiritual enlightenment to foretell the consequence of his expressed action. That is how the gift of prophecy works. Such a gift is invaluable to the church. It provides spiritual counsel as the church deliberates. It reveals unseen pitfalls. It contributes spiritual enlightenment for every decision the church must make as a whole. Individual ministrations would include counseling troubled members or those who are prone to pursue error. Prophecy is God’s method for day-to-day practical and specific application of divine principles.
This gift may be found in both male and female members. Acts 2:17 and I Corinthians 11:5 plainly indicate that a woman may possess the gift of prophecy. The inclusion of women does not mean that they are called to preach, since the gift of prophesy and some of its administrations are not exclusive to the office work of preaching the gospel.
Ministry
Ministry is defined as giving aid. It carries a connotation of servitude. Acts 6:1 reveals that ministering as a servant is one qualification of a deacon. This gift is very common in the church. It extends beyond the duties of deacons. But considering the example of Acts 6:1, we find a principle of addressing the physical needs of others. That is, this gift includes the idea of rendering a service of physical labor. There is also a principle of organized activity related to the gift. This is revealed in the text I Corinthians 16:15. The whole house of Stephanus had “addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” The word addicted ( tasso, gr. ) is translated; to arrange, assign, or order. This definition indicates organization. Those who possess the gift of ministering understand that there is a goal in mind as they labor. They work to accomplish that goal. It may be to perform a specific task, such as painting the meetinghouse. Often it relates to providing for the necessities of some member. For instance, if a member is ill, and unable to perform some needed task such as caring for her children, the ministers in the church might provide the labor necessary to accomplish the goal of child care. This applies to every labor related necessity that a member may have but is unable to perform because of some adversity or affliction.
Ministering saints in the church receive joy from rendering a service of physical activity. Their joy of service is to physically spend themselves helping those who are in need. Further, Peter indicates that ministering to others glorifies God. “If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Christ Jesus…” (I Peter 4:11). The fact that God is glorified by the physical activity of faithful ministering is proof enough of the importance of this gift. However, a church cannot properly function without it. It is Brother and Sister Minister who maintain the meetinghouse and see to the necessities of destitute or afflicted members. Sister Minister plans menus and brings food to church as needed.
A quiet spirit is often an evidence of the gift of ministering. This is so because the first requirement of faithful ministering is understanding need. Those who are most attentive in their listening habits are usually the first ones to comprehend need in others. Also, this trait often characterizes the service of ministry. Brother and Sister Minister do not make a show of their labors. Often the only people who know that a service has been rendered is the brother or sister in need and the ministering saint who quietly renders service.
Teaching
Teaching is a very common gift in the church. In Colossians 3:16, Paul gives a general admonition which indicates the responsibility members have to teach one another. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Every category of church member, male, female, younger, older, fathers, mothers, even children have a responsibility to instruct others. Some instruction is done formally, as the preached word. But the greater portion, both in numbers of teachers and administrations, is based upon social interactions among the membership of the church. When Paul, in Titus 2:26, left instruction that the older women teach the younger women and the older men teach the younger men he was not implying that formalized sessions of instruction take place. Rather, he was speaking to the day-to-day interaction that church members should have with one another. This teaching is to be based upon both wise counsel and example. Older women were to teach younger women how to love their husbands by simple, applicable suggestions. However, the greater thrust of their instruction was based upon the example the older women provided to the younger women. This type of instruction cannot occur unless there is frequent social interaction among church members.
Children are a vital part of the social interaction of teaching in the community of the church. Their primary responsibility is learning from the instruction and example of older members. However, they also teach by example. In I Corinthians 14:20 Paul indicates that children instruct by example as to how adults are to behave when they disagree. He said that in malice, adults are to follow the example of children.
Fathers and mothers are responsible for their children receiving godly instruction IN THE HOME! A few years ago, while doing research for a book, I review many seventeenth and eighteenth century associational minutes. Some contained queries, or questions directed to the associations from member churches relating to a father’s responsibility to conduct a nightly family devotion. The associations said that it is a father’s responsibility to instruct his children in the word of God. They said that a father who neglects this responsibility should be brought before the church to be instructed and disciplined as necessary. Fathers are to raise their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” This means they are to instruct their children in the word of God and counsel them in the ways of godliness. Paul’s praise of Lois and Eunice, Timothy’s mother and grandmother, indicates that mothers share the responsibility of teaching their children Christian principles. From this it may be concluded that the activity of teaching one’s children may be shared by father and mother. However, as the head of the family, God holds a father accountable for the spiritual welfare of his children. It is to our shame that this responsibility is so generally neglected.
Exhortation
To exhort means to call near. Its definition includes the idea of urging one to acceptable conduct. Exhortation may also have a connotation of comforting. It always denotes sincere, or earnest recommendation. Those who exhort in the church are spiritual cheerleaders. They encourage and coax us to laudable conduct. Exhorters are reassuring. They comfort us when we have doubts.
Joshua and Caleb are examples of those who possess the gift of exhortation. They urged the Israelites to enter Canaan. They did so based upon a faithful conviction that God would bless the effort. Exhorters have a special way of looking at challenges. They see them as opportunities. Joshua and Caleb saw the same things that the other spies saw which were sent into Canaan. Yet, the other spies brought back a report that the enemy was too strong and the land could not be taken. Joshua and Caleb urged the Israelites to take the land, assuring them that God would deliver the victory. Brother and sister Exhorter have confidence in God’s ability. They are the positive thinkers in the church. They always seem to have a word of encouragement no matter how great a trial or tribulation the church may be facing. Brother Exhorter may relate a scriptural example of God’s providential deliverance when others were faced with a similar challenge. Often, Brother Exhorter has a special gift for public prayer and/or relating experiences. This is because the gift of exhortation includes the aptitude to call one near. He calls upon the Lord with deep respect and reverential fear; yet with confidence that God will hear his prayer and respond. He relates experiences of God’s providential mercies as a way to encourage others. Sister Exhorter may use her gift to comfort a brother or sister who is in distress over some circumstance in their life. She reassures that God is able to deliver them from every affliction of tribulation. She may confirm the soundness and happy consequence of the brother or sister heeding Brother Prophets good counsel in some matter.
Brother or Sister Exhorter may also be found encouraging Brother and Sister Minister as they engage in their labors. They tell them of the good effect their work is having and how pleased God must be with their efforts. Sister Exhorter might compliment Sister Teacher on the excellent example she is setting for the younger sisters.
Giving
The gift of giving is the aptitude to be spiritually directed as to when and what to share with others. It carries a connotation of sacrifice of ones goods. It is a gift of ability. When God provides this gift he also provides the means to exercise it. God does not give one the gift of giving and then leave them destitute and unable to give. Relatively speaking, twentieth century churches have many members who have the gift of giving. Many churches have members with more financial wealth than is needed to provide for their own basic necessities of food, raiment and shelter. The increase which God has given them is evidence of their ability to give.
Brother Faithful Giver is unpretentious. He does not make a show of his ability to give. Neither does he compare his giving to others. He understands that the widow’s mite is more than he has given and is humbled by her faithfulness. He is happy to give. He does not consider giving to be a burden of church membership. Rather, he receives genuine joy when that is able to give.
The Lord has given Brother Faithful Giver a heart to give. He is not covetous. He views his own financial means as a tool by which God allows him to render a small service. He is attentive to the financial welfare of the church. He wishes her to have comfortable facilities in which to meet. He desires that the pastor be well cared for. At the same time he uses his gift in a responsible manner to assure that he is able to respond as needs arise. He is attentive to the necessities of the widows and those who are destitute.
Ruling
The gift of ruling includes an aptitude for presiding. It also includes an inclination toward organizing. It may involve the ability to direct others. Rulers have good people skills. Deacons and preachers must have an aptitude to rule. However, since ruling is a gift, and not an office, there are various administrations of this gift that are outside the office work of deacons or preachers. The scriptural connotation of the gift of ruling is that of a father governing his family by organization and example. He loves each one and is careful to respect their concerns. He does not seek special privilege or exemption for himself because of his position. Rather, he understands that each member of the family will be looking at the example that he sets. Therefore, he is very careful about his own actions and also what he asks others to do.
Rulers are not dictatorial, neither are they bureaucratic. In fact, they do not formally exercise their gift unless there is a specific need. There were no deacons in the church until a specific need arose. This point identifies a principle of limited rule. Rulers are not appointed church aldermen. They do not claim more authority or respect than ministers, teachers, exhorters, givers, etc.. They simply have a gift that inclines them toward organizing and directing others.
Rulers may be brothers or sisters. Remember, this gift is not limited to church office. One brother may exercise his gift of ruling during a church building project. He may have special planning abilities or be skillful in the building trades. Another brother may exercise his gift of ruling on some church committee. He may have special organizational skills; or, perhaps he has people skills that are particularly needed to handle some difficult situation. Often this brother is a deacon; but, since a brother is to prove his qualifications before he is chosen as a deacon, the leadership of ruling may be seen in some who are not deacons.
Since many ministrations of the gift of ruling are informal, and are exercised on an “as needed” basis, a church may have several male members who possess this gift. They will not all be exercising their gifts simultaneously. Sisters also possess this gift. In Romans 16, Paul’s instruction to the church concerning Phebe plainly indicates that she was to be involved in some form of directing other members. Her gifts evidently included rendering service. However, it appears that she was to help Rome church by organizing their efforts to help others. The fact that Paul instructed Rome Church to provide assistance at her request indicates that in addition to the gift of ministering she also possessed the gift of ruling. The administration of her gift of ruling was in the area of directing people in the activity of ministry, or rendering service.
Showing Mercy
One who has the gift of showing mercy has the unique ability to suffer together with another; that is, to show genuine empathy, and yet remain functionally capable of caring for the one suffering. This is a unique gift. It is different than the gift of ministering. This gift specifically relates to addressing the needs of a member who is ill, or who is suffering grief.
Doctors and nurses often possess this gift. They are able to genuinely care about a patient’s suffering and yet accomplish difficult procedures to help the person. This is because they look at suffering from the unique perspective of sympathy and correction. Some people cannot show mercy. They are so overcome by another persons suffering that their emotions make unable to help. An example: Two people stop at an auto accident. The first person sees the victim’s injuries and faints. The second person sees the injuries and renders first aid. The first person was incapable of showing mercy because he was overcome with emotion.
Consider the parable of the Good Samaritan. Both the priest and the Levite passed by the traveler who had been beaten and left for dead. Whatever their reasons, they did not lend assistance. When the good Samaritan found the man he had compassion for him and immediately initiated a plan to care for his wounds. The Samaritan considered the wounded traveler from a perspective of sympathy and attending to his wounds. He gave little regard to the fact that touching the man might soil his clothing, or that assisting him could cost the Samaritan money. He saw someone suffering and was compelled by his compassion to give assistance. He carried the traveler to safety where his wounds could be dressed. And though the Samaritan continued on his own journey he assured the traveler that he would return to see about him. The Samaritan had the gift of showing mercy.
Working Together in the Community of the Church
Sister Show Mercy makes it her business to know when a brother or sister is in need. She always has a positive attitude, a kind word, and healing methods. She is the member who brings getwell cards to church for everyone to sign. She visits the sick. If they need special care she volunteers to help. Brother Exhorter comes by with a few encouraging words. Sister Prophesy offers suggestions about a careful convalescence. Brother and Sister Minister are there to help with the children, do outside chores to clean the house. Brother Giver will bring by a bill of groceries. Sister Rule is scheduling members to bring meals, watch the children or house cleaning so that necessary tasks are distributed among the entire membership. Sister Show Mercy is there caring for Sister Afflicted. She is seeing that pills are taken and that Sister Afflicted is eating plenty ofhealthy food, getting enough rest, and doesn’t get too excited about the fact that almost every member of the church has been by to see her in the last week. Sister Show Mercy is right there. With a smile on her face and cheerful demeanor, she is comforting and caring for sister Afflicted.
These are the seven gifts God has given to the church. However, this description is not exhaustive. The intent in listing certain characteristics and examples for each gift is to develop some understanding of each gift; to show how, in concert, they edify the church as the bride of Christ. They display her loveliness, as a social band that is both a family of believers and the body of Christ. When each member faithfully exercises his or her gift as God intends the church is truly most beautiful to behold. She is like an army with banners unfurled. She is beautiful for situation. She is glorious to behold as an everlasting kingdom.
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Firstfruit Giving
(A Principle of Financial Stewardship)
Elder Michael Ivey
The Bible has a great deal to say about how we are to use the things God gives us: Not the least of which is His instructions on how we are to manage and distribute His financial blessings. The primary focus of this work is firstfruit giving, which is one element of our financial responsibilities to God. Examination of instructions and examples found in God’s word reveals firstfruit giving is a biblical practice that applies to everyone who strives to be a faithful follower of Christ. Scriptural examination of the topics listed below suggests firstfruit giving is an essential part of discipleship.
- Stewardship in God’s kingdom
- What are firstfruits
- How much should we give
- Firstfruit giving is a form of worship
- Proper motive and attitude for giving
- Firstfruit giving impacts the quality of our fellowship with God
- Firstfruit giving produces greater blessings
Firstfruit giving is the practice of worshipping God by faithfully giving back to Him the initial products of our labors. In the Old Testament, it was incorporated into Mosaic Law service as a required duty of the children of Israel. In the New Testament, it is presented as a principle that makes first giving back goods and finances to God a priority of financial stewardship. It places serving the Lord with one’s finances ahead of all other financial obligations. Firstfruit giving establishes a way of worshipping God by putting Him first in our discipleship of giving. In both the Old and New Testaments firstfruit offering is characterized as faithful giving. In the Book of Ecclesiastes Solomon portrays faithful giving as first casting bread upon the water (Ecclesiastes.11: 1) which will then return in many ways as God’s blessings to liberal givers. The same principle of faithfully giving to God first and then God giving blessings in return is indicated in Luke 6:38. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Stewardship in God’s kingdom
In order to better understand the scriptural teachings of firstfruit giving it is important we recognize its relationship to biblical stewardship. In Luke12: 42-43 the Savior stated: “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? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” This text indicates a steward is a ruler, or overseer of another’s goods and possessions. In the context of the lesson, the Savior is teaching God’s disciples are His stewards on earth. Strong’s Concordance provides this definition for a steward: “a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preacher (of the Gospel):— chamberlain, governor, steward.” Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments support Strong’s definition that fiscal agency, or financial oversight is an element of stewardship.
The principle of fiscal, or financial stewardship is not limited to management of church finances. It also includes spiritually directed management by each follower of Christ in all matters of their personal finances. This is so because in the broadest sense God’s kingdom includes all He created and over which He retains ownership. John wrote, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”(John 1:3) The idea of stewardship in relation to God’s material possessions was first presented to the children of Israel when God delivered them from Egyptian bondage. In Exodus 19:5 Moses cites God’s dominion over all people in that everything on earth belongs to Him. “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine…” If all the people of the earth belong to God (contextually, not as His children, but as His possessions) and earth and everything on earth was made by Him and thereby His possessions; then everyone who uses his possessions is accountable to God as to how they are used. This means money, the fiscal product of commerce, belongs to God, is under His rule as part of His created earthly domain, and is used correctly in keeping with God’s word. This is so because we use God’s physical possessions of land, water, and air through vocations such as farming, fishing, mining, carpentry, et cetera, to earn money. It is also true in our use of God’s intellectual possessions, the products of our minds, (which minds belong to Him because we are His possessions) when we write books, or software programs, or by the practice of Law or medicine or engaging in any other intellectual endeavors to earn money. In all cases, God ultimately provides both the necessary raw materials and the intellectual properties used in commerce.
New Testament scriptures teach the practice of giving the Lord the firstfruit of our labors is a principle of Christian stewardship. I Corinthians 16:2 identifies it as a New Testament Church practice. The Apostle Paul instructed Christians to give the first products or profits from their labors to the Lord. “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” The principle of stewardship also may be inferred from the text. The phrase “as God hath prospered him” indicates God provides us with the things we are to give. This point is supported in II Corinthians 9 where Paul instructed the church to make a collection for the poor before he arrived. He implies the principle of stewardship by noting God provides the necessary “seed” and also gives increase so Christ’s disciples may liberally give back to Him by ministering to others.
Simply stated, all we possess, including all our money and goods, belong to God. He made them and retains ownership. In Haggai 2:8 the Lord expressly declared His ownership of money with regard to the gold and silver used in rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.” This point is made with even greater emphasis in Psalms 50:10-12 where, thru the Psalmist, God declares: “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.” Therefore, it is altogether appropriate for God to direct how we use His silver and gold together with all the goods he has entrusted to us according to the principles of Christian stewardship and more specifically fiscal or financial stewardship, as taught in His written word.
What are firstfruits?
A fundamental principle of firstfruit giving is priority. Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments instruct us to give to God first. They teach what and how much we give Him is the highest priority in determining how we use our finances and goods.
In the Old Testament, firstfruits are identified as the first products of the harvest and the firstborn of herds and flocks that were given to the Levites as offerings to God. In I Corinthians 16:2 the Apostle Paul presents the concept of firstfruit giving in the New Testament as laying up in store the first day of the week. Examination of this text reveals similarity in principle to the precepts of Old Testament firstfruit giving. The text reads: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” In the generally agrarian societies of Old and New Testament times giving firstfruit could be literally practiced. People could give the proceeds from the first days of harvest, or the first lambs or calves born. However, in modern societies where most of us receive an hourly wage or salary and are paid weekly or monthly, it is difficult, if not altogether impossible, to know what are the first dollars we earned for the pay period, the firstfruits of our labors. However, the phrase “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store” identifies a principle of first priority as an essential element of firstfruit giving in any circumstance. Therefore, according to scripture, when we budget the distribution of our finances and/or goods our first priority is what we will give back to God to be used in His service.
The phrase “as God hath prospered him” affirms the stewardship principle that money or goods we are to give come to us as the results of God prospering, or giving increase. The increase is God’s. We know this because it is God who gives it to us. But He does not give it with the understanding we can use it for any purpose we imagine. All the increase belongs to God. He graciously prospers us to supply our needs. Our greatest, or first need is to worship and thank Him. Therefore, it is fitting that we, as God’s stewards, use the firstfruits to specifically honor Him. And, according to God’s word, the way we do this is by making giving back to God our first priority: He prospers our labors with increase, whether it is in terms of money, crops, livestock, etc.; and, before we make any other decisions as to how we will use these resources to supply our own needs we are instructed to worship God in praise and thanksgiving by giving a portion back to Him.
How much should we give?
The question of how much we should give back is addressed in various ways in scripture. In the Old Testament Mosaic Law instructed the children of Israel to give a tithe, a tenth part, to the Levitical priesthood to supply their needs. (See Leviticus 27:30-32) In turn, the Levites were instructed to give a tenth of what they received as a heave offering to God. (See Numbers 18:26-29)
There are no specific instructions or examples in the New Testament suggesting tithing was a prescribed practice of the first century Church. Scripture does indicate a different standard. It is the standard of sacrifice as personified in Christ’s death at Calvary. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) He set the standard for loving by sacrifice when he offered himself to God at Calvary as the sacrifice for the sins of the elect. In the same narrative, He commanded we love one another even as he loves us. Connotation suggests He commanded we do so with sacrificial love. Apparently, the early church understood sacrificial love extends to firstfruit giving. Acts chapter 4 provides a picture of members of the early church giving much more than a tithe to the Apostles. They sacrificed by giving all. They sold their possessions and gave the proceeds to the Apostles who distributed to all in common according to their needs: “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” (Acts 4:35-35)
The account of a poor widow giving two mites, recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, is a praiseworthy example of faithful giving. It demonstrates faithful self-denial and sacrifice are essential elements of firstfruit giving. Despite giving a small amount of money, the Savior commended the widow’s generosity. “And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” (Luke 21:1-4) She obviously gave her firstfruits because giving “all the living that she had” includes firstfruits, plus everything else. Her intent to sacrifice is also clear because her giving “all the living she had” left her without any money to supply her own needs. This is understood to be an example of faithful giving for two reasons: 1. The savior commended the widow’s giving. 2. Giving all required the widow rely on God’s providence for her immediate needs.
The Acts 4:36-37 account of Barnabas, a Levite, selling land and giving all the proceeds from the sale to the Apostles is another example of self-denial and sacrifice in firstfruit giving. In contrast, Acts 5:1-10, tells how Ananias and Sapphira sold their land but kept a portion of the proceeds back; while acting as if they had given all. Their holding back a portion suggests they measured how much they wanted to keep for themselves before determining how much they would give to God. It also indicates they were motivated by covetousness and used deceit to hide their motive. Peter described their covetous deceit as lying to the Holy Ghost. “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?” (Acts 5:3) Peter’s response and God’s judgment against Ananias and Sapphira (they were both struck dead) indicates the seriousness with which we should approach our decisions of how much we should give back to God. However, Peter’s response also suggests Ananias and Sapphira were not obligated by church rule or the Old Testament practice of tithing to give the church a specified percentage or fixed amount from the proceeds of the sale of their land: “Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” (Acts 5:4) The phrase “was it not in thine own power” suggests they were not compelled by church edict to give any of the proceeds from the sale.
How then, according to the scriptural principles of first priority, self-denial, and sacrificial giving, do we determine the specific amount that makes up our firstfruit to be given back to God? The Apostle Paul supplies the governing principles for making the determination. We are to give faithfully as God impresses us to give. This point is addressed in II Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give….” Purposing in our hearts implies seeking direction from God. This is so because an effect of the new birth is God’s laws are written in our hearts. (See Hebrews 8:10, 10:16)
Having God’s laws written in our hearts allows us to understand and have the ability to do His will in all matters, including determining how much we should give back as firstfruit offerings. This point is supported by Paul’s teachings in Romans 2:13-15 “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;” together withhis instruction from Philippians 2:12-13 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” These texts indicate in new birth the design and object of God’s will, which is to love and please Him thru faithful obedience, resides in our new creature spirit; and we are to use it to govern understanding and behavior.
An effect of new birth is creation of spiritual life that is energized, or powered by the Holy Spirit. “Worketh” in the phrase “God which worketh in you” from Philippians 2:13 identifies God as the power source of life in the new creature. It is translated from the Greek word “energeo” and means: 1) to be operative, be at work, put forth power 1a) to work for one, aid one; 2) to effect; 3) to display one’s activity, show one’s self operative (Thayer’sGreek/English Lexicon of the New Testament). After regeneration, our new creature spirit is enabled and empowered (“both to will and to do”) by the energy of God in us to convey moral affirmations thru the witness of conscience to our minds. The affirmations are motivated by love of God that produces a desire to please by doing His will, “of his good pleasure,” in specific situations or circumstances.
In the matter of giving, we are informed by God’s written word to be firstfruit givers. However, scripture does not tell us the amount we should give. The amount is determined as a function of purposing in our hearts (II Corinthians 2:9) and the conscience bearing witness to God’s will (See Romans 2:15). This is done by prayerfully contemplating the “work of the law” of God written in our hearts in respect to how much we should give: What is the morally acceptable amount we should give to demonstrate our love for God in fulfilling the principles of firstfruit giving according to His written word? In purposing in our hearts we take the matter to the Lord since the law of God, His will, is written there (See Hebrews 8:10, 10:16). When the amount He wants us to give satisfies His moral law for giving, as witnessed in our conscience, our thoughts excuse, or give us peace and satisfaction with the decision.
This method of determining how much of our money or goods are firstfruits takes the focus away from a specific amount, such as the tithe, and places it on a love motivated, faith driven procedure governed by God’s moral laws. These laws do not produce a one-size-fits-all fixed percentage or mathematic formula for giving. Rather, they serve to help us calculate our giving based upon honesty, giving to God as our first priority, giving that produces self-denial and genuine sacrifice, and absence of covetousness. Thus, we understand how much we are to give thru prayer and meditation, in which our conscience bears witness to God’s moral laws written in our heart and His specific will, and we are persuaded by peaceful and comforting thoughts the amount we purpose to give is acceptable to God.
How much should we give? There is no fixed percentage, no set amount mandated by scripture. We are instructed to give to God first, as we purpose in our hearts under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The amount is not a measure of wealth, but of love for God, of putting Him first, of commitment to worship God by serving the needs of others, of faith in His providence and mercy. We give the correct amount when we purpose in our hearts to deny our own wants and needs and make genuine financial sacrifices by first giving to the Lord.
First Fruits Giving is a form of Worship
In the Old Testament, financial stewardship as worship is presented in the details of Mosaic Law service in giving the firstfruits of our labors to God. The Lord states in Exodus 22:29-30 “Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me. Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.” In Deuteronomy 26:10 God illustrated the attitude of worship firstfruit givers should have and how presenting their firstfruits offerings to Him is worship. “And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God. In Leviticus 2:12 firstfruits offerings are said to be oblations. “As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.” An oblation is a sacrifice and more specifically, a sacrifice or offering to God as an act of submissive worship. When the children of Israel obeyed God’s decree to bring the firstfruits to the Temple they were offering the first products of their labors as an act of worship and submission to God’s authority and rule over their lives.
The New Testament also identifies giving as an element of worship. The earliest instance of giving as a method of worshipping Christ is the three wise men that came from the east. They brought gifts from their treasures to the Lord. “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)
Giving as a method of direct worship of God is implied in Paul’s grateful response for gifts he received from the Church at Philippi. “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18) This statement identifies giving as sacrificial worship. The term, “odour of a sweet smell” is a reference to burnt offerings to God under the provisions of Mosaic Law. (see Exodus 29:18-41, Leviticus 1:9-17) In Ephesians 5:2 Paul uses similar language to describe Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour”
Paul also affirms liberal giving can cause those who receive gifts to engage in worship by praises of thanksgiving to God. “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” (II Corinthians 9:10-11) Ministering to others and giving thanks to God are both forms of worship. (See Matthew 25:34-36, Psalms 100:4, Hebrews 13:15)
Several scriptures indicate firstfruit giving is faithful worship. In Ecclesiastes 11:1 faith is inferred in that we are instruct to first give and then expect blessings from God in various ways. “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” Another example that ties faithful giving to worship is the account of the poor widow who gave two mites previously discussed. The widow was in the Temple and engaged in worship when she cast her two mites into the treasury. In Matthew 12:43, Jesus mentioned the extent of her giving in relation to faith. The phrase “but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living” implies her gift was an act of faith. She willingly gave all to God trusting He would provide for her needs.
Giving is good work worship. This is apparent from the Savior’s exchange with His disciples when they criticized the woman who anointed Jesus with expensive ointment. “There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.”(Matthew 26:7-10) The woman’s gift was a good work. She gave precious ointment in anointing Jesus for his burial. Her act depicts the personal nature of all firstfruit giving. It is administering gifts to God. The Savior indicated how important it is to God when he announced she would be remembered and praised for her good work gift wherever the gospel is preached. “For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.” (Matthew 26:12-13)
All firstfruit giving is worship directed to God. The fact Jesus has returned to heaven does not prevent His accepting our firstfruits as acts of worship. When we give of our goods and finances for God’s service they are accepted as oblations given directly to Him. The Savior affirmed giving to benefit others as a form of worship in His description of the king’s response to those who in the resurrection will “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” They questioned when they had fed, given drink, clothed, etc. the Son of man who will return as Lord and King. “…Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? (Matthew25:34-36) Jesus’ description of the King’s response verifies giving is an essential form of worship to God: “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Proper Attitude for Giving
The principle motive for firstfruit giving is love for God. Its engine is faith. Scriptural example instructs us to faithfully give because we love the Lord. The Hebrew letter explicitly identifies love as the motive for giving in commending those who minister to the saints of God. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10). According to Thayer’s Greek/English Lexicon “minister” in this text means: “to supply food and the necessities of life.” The text indicates the Hebrews’ giving was a work or “labour of love” that God remembers. Since faith works by love (see Galatians 5:6), it is reasonable to infer faith produced their works of ministering to the saints. This inference is also supported by James point that good works are performed by faith (see James 2:14-20).
If the primary motive for firstfruit giving is love of God and it is carried out through faith, what is the appropriate attitude? What traits do loving faithful disciples display when they give? The Apostle Paul mentioned several in his instructions concerning ministering to the saints in II Corinthians, chapter 9. “For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty, and not as [of] covetousness.) But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:1-7) The text identifies zeal, preparedness, compassion, steadfastness, liberality, and joy as characteristics of those who faithfully give in response to their love for God.
Paul portrayed the Corinthians’ giving habits as zeal; “your zeal hath provoked very many.” He characterized their zeal as forwardness of mind or, readiness to give. The phrase “it is superfluous for me to write to you” implies their zeal, eagerness to give, made it unnecessary for him to generally encourage the Corinthian Church about the importance of them willingly and liberally giving money and substance to supply for the needy. He evidently thought they already possessed godly zeal in this area of discipleship. The eagerness of the Corinthians is also indicated by Paul’s mention that a year prior they committed to give financial assistance to needy saints, probably in Judea.
However, he did give them instructions concerning preparedness by instructing the church to make a collection and give the funds to brethren Paul sent ahead so no collection would be made while he was there. Their readiness and planning to give, even before they knew when and how the funds would be delivered, also demonstrates the great compassion they had for God’s saints who were suffering want.
In addition, Paul’s instruction reveals the characteristic of steadfastness in their resolve to faithfully give from a motive of love. The Corinthians’ were steadfast, settled in their minds that giving is an appropriate way to faithfully love God. Paul’s statement relating their year long “forwardness of mind” infers their eager desire to give was not a whimsical and passing notion. Neither was it merely an emotional, spur-of-the-moment response to impassioned pleas. They were not impulsive givers. Their mindset for giving stood the test of time. Despite a yearlong delay, their resolve to give had not wavered. They remained steadfast. In addition, Paul’s willingness to boast to others, to use the church at Corinth as an example for firstfruit giving, suggests they were steadfast in their practice and attitudes of giving.
Liberality is a characteristic of cheerful giving. It is a noble quality exercised in one’s decorum or whole behavior as a matter of grace, including the grace of generosity. Simply stated, liberality is a practice of godly grace. Strong’s Concordance defines it 1) singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty 1a) the virtue of one who is free from pretence and hypocrisy 2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity. The general concept of liberality as absence of pretence and hypocrisy, and openness of heart is presented by the Savior in Matthew 6:1-4. “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
It is likely Strong’s last signification, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity, is whatPaul had in mind in II Corinthians, Chapter 8 when he introduced the principle of liberality in leading up to his comments in chapter 9. In disclosing that gifts from the churches of Macedonia were sent to the saints in Jerusalem, Paul indicates how God bestowed grace upon the givers for their liberality. “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.” (II Corinthians 8:1-6)
The quality of liberality as generous giving is expressed in three ways in Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians in chapter 9. First, their eagerness to give a year prior logically infers they would be generous givers. Secondly, eagerness to give reasonably includes liberal giving. It does not make sense they would be without covetousness with regard zeal to give and at the same time be covetous as to how much they would give. Paul also specifically implies the necessity of liberality with the statement, “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” It is apparent from this statement that God reserves abundant harvests of His blessings for those who abundantly give. Finally, Paul criticizes giving tactics that are influenced by covetousness with the statement, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity”
In context, the last characteristic Paul attributes to faithful givers is joy. In verse 7 he notes, “God loveth a cheerful giver.” An effect of the grace of liberality is joy, which is characterized by Paul as cheerfulness. Love motivated, faithful giving is spiritually pleasant, an experience of joy for the giver. Paul made this association in chapter 8 with the phrase, “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” John Gill, in his commentary of II Corinthians, describes joy in this text as “cheerfulness of their spirits in contributing to the necessities of others.” The churches in Macedonia, despite trying affliction and deep poverty, had abundant joy. Their joy abounded, or was greater in measure in contrast to their affliction and poverty. In other words, their liberality in giving with simplicity and singleness of mind and without pretense or hypocrisy, in contrast to their affliction and poverty, brought them a greater measure of joy, which is cheerfulness of spirit.
The attributes then, for biblical giving practices are rooted in love for God. They proceed to action by faith. Godly givers are forward leaning in their eagerness, their zeal to serve. They do not wait to the last moment to think about what they will give. Their zeal includes preparedness. With every new financial blessing from God as wise stewards they think about what portion they will give back. Their love for God extends to His saints as genuine compassion. They look upon those in need with kindness and care and consider how their giving can help. Those whose giving practices are fixed in their love of God are in the habit of giving. They are steadfast, reliable givers. They give sincerely, without pretence. They are generous, uninfluenced by begrudging impact of covetousness that transforms this act of faith, worked by love of God, to a legalistic ritual of necessity. Finally, the generous nature of spiritual liberality expresses joy. Cheerful givers experience God’s loving approval and rejoice to deny themselves and make genuine sacrifices to promote the cause of Christ thru ministering to His saints.
Firstfruit giving impacts the quality of our fellowship with God
The link between obedience and fellowship with God is undeniable. Those who disobey God have little to no fellowship with Him. Those who seek to know and do His will are blest with many rich and rewarding experiences with their heavenly Father.
The first example in scripture of a connection between obedience and quality of fellowship occurred in the Garden of Eden. As long as Adam and Eve obeyed, the Lord abundantly blest them with protection and easily attained provision. (See Genesis 2:8-15) When they disobeyed the quality of their fellowship with God deteriorated. After they ate from the Tree of Knowledge Adam and Eve became ashamed and afraid to face God. Shame and fear plainly diminished their quality of fellowship with Him. . “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8) God’s response to their willful sin further eroded fellowship. He expelled Adam and Eve from the garden and removed the ease by which they attained food and protection. “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Genesis 3:17-19)
The link between quality of fellowship and obedience includes faithful firstfruit giving. An early example of the link is found in the narrative of Cain and Abel making offerings to God. “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” (Genesis 4:3-5) Cain brought his gift “in process of time.” The Hebrew word in the text for “process” is “kates.” It means: end. Since Cain offered “fruit of the ground” it is reasonable to assume the phrase indicates he waited until the harvest had ended before choosing what he would give to God. Abel offered the “firstlings,” or firstfruits of his flock. His offering was faithful because he gave firstfruits, before he knew how many offspring his flock would produce. Cain waited until the harvest was complete before choosing what and how much he would give. He was not faithful. Cain knew how much of the harvest he would keep for himself when making his offering to God. The Lord had respect to the offering made by faith (firstlings or firstfruits) and had not respect to the offering that was made without faith (after the harvest).
The account of Abraham offering Isaac is an example of how faithful firstfruit giving elevates the quality of one’s fellowship with the Lord. While he experienced close fellowship with the Lord throughout his life, Abraham’s most intimate and no doubt most satisfying fellowship occurred in consequence of him offering firstfruits to the Lord. The Lord commanded Abraham to take his “only son Isaac,” the firstfruit of God’s promise to bless all nations thru Abraham, and slay him as an offering to God. “And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” (Genesis 22:2) Although God spared Isaac, the narrative indicates Abraham was unwavering in his resolve to faithfully obey the Lord. The Apostle James indicates Abraham’s willingness to obey God’s command was fulfillment of the statement “Abraham believed God and it was imputed unto him for righteousness and he was called the Friend of God.” (See James 2:21-24) Thestatement, that the scripture was fulfilled, carries a connotation of completeness. In other words, Abraham’s unwavering faith to offer Isaac was his highest, or most comprehensive expression of trust in God. The use of capital letters of the phrase “Friend of God” suggests James used it as a title given to Abraham; similar to adding “Sir” to a man’s name when he is Knighted. By obeying the Lord Abraham was dubbed Friend of God Abraham. (See II Chronicles 20:7, Isaiah 41:8) The title “Friend of God” infers an elevation in status of Abraham’s fellowship with the Lord. This is confirmed by the Savior’s testimony to His disciples. In John’s gospel Jesus indicated knowing and doing God’s will does, in fact, elevate the status of one’s fellowship to that of Friend of God: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:14-15)
The Lord takes notice and elevates the quality of fellowship He has with those who seek Him as faithful, generous givers. This is affirmed by Jesus’ fellowship with Zacchaeus. When the Lord saw the wealthy publican he beckoned Zacchaeus to come down from the Sycamore tree. Jesus chose to spend the day with him. (See Luke 19:2-6) The decisive factors for the Lord’s day of fellowship with Zacchaeus are indicated by the exchange between the two. “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.” (Luke 19:8-9) In keeping with scriptural connotations of Luke’s narrative, the reasons for Zacchaeus’ experience of close fellowship with Jesus are: 1. He was a son of Abraham, which implies his inclusion in the promise God made to the patriarch; and 2. He specifically sought to be with the Lord. 3. He obeyed God’s will by generously giving to the poor and also by not abusing his power and authority as a tax collector for the Romans. Zacchaeus was a child of God who obeyed God’s will by faithful, generous giving. Therefore, Jesus chose to spend the day with him.
Not all giving insures close fellowship with God. This can be inferred from the example Jesus gave with regard to self-serving self-righteousness in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican recorded in Luke 18:9:14. In the parable the Pharisee arrogantly bragged to God, “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” In contrast, the publican humbly begged God for mercy. “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” Jesus’conclusion indicates self-denial by faithful trust in God in all matters, including our giving, is necessary for fellowship with the Lord. “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Those who give for reasons other than love of God do not have fellowship with Him. Conversely, one who abases self and seeks to do God’s will enjoys fellowship with God that produces experiential declarations that assures one he is just before God by the blood of Christ.
The Savior expressed the fact of fellowship with Him in connection with faithful giving in Matthew 25. He noted the generosity and compassion of those who “inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” in that they gave to the needy. Jesus referred to occasions of compassionate fellowship He enjoys with those who minister to others by declaring; “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” (Matthew 25:35-36) He described the manner and instance of these numerous experiences of personal fellowship with Him by noting “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”(Matthew 25:40) The Lord accepts and responds to ministering to His needy children as ministering to Him personally. Thus, every time His followers, in love for the Lord, give money or substance to help those in need their actions become occasions of close, personal fellowship with our Lord.
Firstfruit giving produces greater blessings
There is an often-repeated adage, “you can’t out give God.” The logic of this saying is obvious. Since God created all things, whatever we give Him came from Him. This makes it impossible to give back to God more than He gives us. However, the saying implies much more than God giving more than He requires in return. It points to the fact that “he is a rewarded of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6); including rewarding those who diligently seek Him by practicing faithful giving. The rewards God has promised include material, emotional and spiritual blessings. In the thirty-seventh Psalms, David observes the blessings bestowed on those who seek to do God’s will in their daily walk. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.” (Psalms 37:23-26) The text teaches God has determined the moral (righteous) path, or way of living His children should pursue; and upholds those who walk in His prescribed ways through assurance, encouragements and provisions.
In the Old Testament the Lord promised Israel a superabundant return for faithful giving “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”(Malachi 3:10) Like those who faithfully tithed under Mosaic Law, the Lord promised abundant blessings to faithful firstfruit givers. “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10) In the New Testament the Savior confirmed abundant blessings for faithful givers when He instructed His disciples; “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38) He promised rewards to alms givers who give in service to God and not as a means to impress men. “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:1-4) Additional scriptures affirming God’s blessings towards those who are liberal givers include: Psalms 41:1, Proverbs 11:25, 22:9, 28:27, Ecclesiastes 11:1, Isaiah 58:10, Luke 14:14.
While Lord promises material blessings such as wealth and provisions to faithful stewards in His kingdom, scriptural examples of spiritual rewards such as comfort, assurance and consolation are mentioned with more frequency. For instance, while it is true Abraham was blessed with financial prosperity, the narrative of his life in the Old Testament and examples of his faith presented in the New Testament stress the spiritual rewards God gave him. Jesus said of the patriarch of Israel, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56) This text indicates the Lord blest Abraham to know something of Christ Jesus; and in knowing, he received the comforts of joy and gladness; which God gave in response to his faith. The Savior did not indicate specific details of when and how Abraham became aware. However, there are several instances, all in relation to his faith, in which characteristics of the work of Christ were presented to Abraham. For instance, it can be inferred Abraham saw Christ as the head of God’s elect family in the promise a large number of people from all nation’s would be forever blest through a single seed. (See Genesis 13:15-16, 15:5-6, 17:7, 22:16-18, Romans 9:6-13, Galatians 3:16) Abraham could likely have seen Christ as the sacrifice for sins when God commanded he slay Isaac as an offering. (See Genesis 22:1- 13) He could have understood Christ’s victory over sin through resurrection in the miraculous conception of Isaac when Abraham was one hundred years old and Sarah ninety. (See Genesis 21:1-7, Romans 4:9-22) From these examples we can conclude those who faithfully obey God receive rich spiritual blessings that bring them closer to the Lord through comforting, assurances and consolations in hope of eternal life in Christ.
Faithful Boaz is another example of an obedient servant who was a generous, compassionate giver. The Lord abundantly blest him with spiritual rewards. When he noticed Ruth, who came to glean in his fields, he took compassion on her and said, “Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.” (Ruth 2:9) He then told his reapers, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.” (Ruth 2:15-16) God rewarded Boaz’ generosity with blessings. In his old age the Lord blest him to redeem Ruth, who was a godly young woman and a faithful wife to Boaz. He was also blest to begat with Ruth a son named Obed, who was king David’s grandfather.
A New Testament example of a generous alms giver who was greatly blest by God is Cornelius, the first Gentile to receive the gospel. It cannot be said his charitable giving is the reason why God specifically chose Cornelius to be the first Gentile to receive the gospel. However, when in a dream the angel of God instructed him to send for Peter, he specifically noted the centurion’s alms giving. “And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God”(Acts 10:4) Cornelius was the first non-Jew to hear the good news that Christ’s sacrifice for sins includes the sins of elect Gentiles, “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.(Acts 10:34-35) Through the power of God, this man who worked righteousness by giving “much alms to the people” received the gift of the Holy Ghost. “And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 10:45) He was blest withgospel conversion, becoming a disciple of Christ Jesus and a member of His church. (See Acts 10 47-48)
Conclusion
Firstfruit giving is a fundamental principle of stewardship for followers of Christ. It is an important, even essential way we serve God by ministering to others. It is characterized by giving back to God as a first priority of financial management. It is practiced by faithfully engaging in self-denying, sacrificial giving. There are no fixed amounts or percentages associated with firstfruit giving. Faithful givers seek God’s will and direction through prayer and study of scripture in order to purpose in their hearts how much of their income or goods constitutes firstfruits. God does not require firstfruit givers to give back more than He blesses them to receive from Him. They are liberal and steadfast in their giving habits. With godly zeal they use their firstfruits to serve the Lord by ministering to others. Those who faithfully exercise these principles experience a closer walk with the Lord. They are blest with greater spiritual insights into the depth of His love. This is because firstfruit giving involves many of the same fundamental qualities of righteousness the Savior demonstrated when he died for our sins at Calvary. Those who faithfully give firstfruits to the Lord are cheerful givers. They do not give from a legalistic perspective of necessity: I don’t want to give but am required to do so. Neither is their giving characterized by an attitude of covetousness that begrudges the gift as if it is a loss. Their motive for giving is love for God. However large or small a gift might be in monetary terms, because it is freely offered in obedience to God’s will with genuine self-denial and sacrifice, faithful firstfruit givers are blest to understand their gifts are given by them and accepted by God in love.
Christ the Governor of the Church
There are several Old Testament verses of scripture that prophecy of the coming of Christ and for him to be the governor of the Church Kingdom of God:
1. Is. 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
2. Is. 22:20 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: 21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. 22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. 23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house. 24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.”
3. Ps. 67:3 “Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.”
4. Ps. 110:1 “A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.”
5. Is. 40:10 “Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.”
6. Zec. 6:12 “And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: 13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”
The Lord is a great King and the scriptures call him King of kings and Lord of lords. Not only does he rule over all his creation, but especially he rules over his church. The government is upon his shoulders. He rules upon the everlasting throne of David in an everlasting kingdom.
A king rules by his word. Most often, this word is written down so that the subjects may know how they are being governed and what they are to do. The word includes laws, ordinances, and commandments. It includes how the subject is to conduct himself. It includes the relationships between the subjects and their king and the relationships between the subjects. In the Lord’s kingdom church he has set forth how we are to worship Him, how we are to live our lives to the praise, honor, and glory of his name. Furthermore, he has instructed us on how we are to have fellowship within the body of the church. Also, he tells us how we are to have interchurch fellowship, how we are to deal with personal trespasses, how we are to deal with public trespasses, and the rules of conduct in the church. In addition, he tells us what offices are in the church and who is qualified to occupy those offices and how they are to conduct themselves within those offices. Furthermore, he tells us our responsibilities to the church, to one another, and to those of God’s people without the church.
The Lord has told us these things in his word: 2 Tim. 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” According to this passage, the scriptures furnish us everything that is needed in the church, in our lives, and in how that we are to perform all good works. Since, the Lord has given us his word to govern ourselves; we are not to make changes to his word. We are not to add to his word, nor are we to take from his word. Where the scriptures are silent, we are not to add to them. Where the scriptures teach us to do something, then we are duty bound to do that.
The scriptures are silent about Sunday schools, bible colleges, theological societies, mission boards, and using musical instruments in the church. Thus, we are not to have any of these things. In addition, the scriptures teach us that we are not to use titles such as Father, Master, Rabbi, or Reverend. Therefore, we should not call preachers by these titles.
The local church has no organization above it on earth. The Lord’s church has only one head:
1. Eph. 1:22 “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.”
2. Eph. 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
3. Eph. 5:23 “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”
4. Col. 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
5. Col. 2:19 “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”
Therefore, any organization that claims a headquarters anywhere on earth cannot be the Lord’s true church.
In future essays, we will consider different aspects of church government.
Personal Conduct in the Church
There are many verses of scripture that teach us how that we are to conduct our personal lives in the church. We will only touch on a few of these scriptures. The majority of the New Testament deals with this subject. We will only very briefly deal with a few of the scriptural lessons.
First, the scriptures teach us that we are created unto good works and that good works glorify God:
1. Eph. 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
2. John 15:8 “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
3. Mat. 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Second, the scriptures teach us that we are to discipline ourselves in His church:
1. Mat. 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
2. Rom. 8:13 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
3. Col 3:5 “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
4. Rom 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Further, the scriptures teach us to put off certain activities and to put on others:
1. Eph. 4:22 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
2. Col. 3:8 “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Third, the scriptures teach us how that we are to interact within the family:
1. Eph. 5:22 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
2. Col. 3:18 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.”
3. Col. 3:20 “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
4. Eph. 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
5. 1 Tim. 5:14 “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.”
Fourth, the scriptures teach how that masters and servants are to interact:
1. Eph. 6:5 “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
2. Col. 3:22 “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”
Sixth, the scriptures teach how that we are to interact with those who have authority over us:
1. Rom. 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
2. 1 Tim. 2:1 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
Seventh, the scriptures teach that we are consider all that are in the church as brothers and sisters in Christ:
1. Acts 9:17 “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”
2. Acts 21:20 “And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:”
3. Rom 14:10 “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
4. Rom 14:10 “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
In conclusion, we are a church family and should treat one another as brothers and sisters.
5. Rom 14:15 “But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.”
6. Rom 14:21 “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”
7. Rom 16:23 “Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.”
8. 1 Cor 1:1 “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,”
9. 1 Cor 5:11 “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
10. 1 Cor 6:6 “But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.”
11. 1 Cor 7:12 “But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.”
12. 1 Cor 7:15 “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.”
While we have barely scratched the surface of this subject, yet we have shown a small sampling of how that God has provided a complete furnishing of those things needed for our personal conduct as a disciple of Christ.
Interchurch Fellowship
The bible clearly teaches fellowship between local churches. Examples of this fellowship is found in the last chapters of most of Paul’s letters to the seven churches he wrote to. The best example of this is found in the letter to the church at Colosse. Col. 4:7 “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. 10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea and them in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. 18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.”
From this, we gather the following examples of interchurch fellowship:
1. Paul had his membership in the church at Antioch and was writing to the church at Colosse. He was sending the preacher Tychicus to preach to the church at Colosse and to declare his state unto them.
2. Paul was also sending Onesimus to labor at the church at Colosse, who before had been a member of the church at Colosse.
3. Different members of the church at Antioch saluted the brethren and sisters of the church at Colosse.
4. Epaphras, who came from the church at Colosse, was now a member of the church at Antioch. Both he and Onesimus had moved their membership from Colosse to Antioch thus indicating the churches were in fellowship with one another.
5. Paul asked that the letter to Colosse also be read by the church of the Laodiceans and that the letter to Laodicea be read by the church at Colosse. This indicates that the churches at Antioch, Colosse, and Laodicea were all in fellowship with one another.
Interchurch fellowship does not mean that one church has any power of government over another church. Christ is the head of each local church and each local church is to answer to her head. Each local church answers to Christ, who only has the power to remove the candlestick (church). This is well illustrated in the letters the Lord had John send to the seven churches of Asia (Revelations chapters 2 and 3). The Lord pointed out to those seven churches the things that were wrong in those churches and how that they were to repent of those sins and errors. He also pointed out the things that were right in those churches. The Lord never told one church what steps they were to take to correct another church.
There are, however, some hindrances to interchurch fellowship. Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” It is implied in this verse that walking together (fellowship) must be on the basis of agreement. Where we as individuals disagree with one another is the point at which we do not have fellowship with one another. Likewise, where churches differ on doctrine and practice, they cease having fellowship with one another.
If the church I am a member of has the true gospel of Jesus Christ and another church (so-called) has a perverted gospel, then those two bodies cannot have fellowship with one another. Eph 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Departures from the gospel of the grace of Christ and departures from the order of worship and government of the New Testament Church are part of the unfruitful works of darkness. When a church departs from the true gospel or when a church departs from the true order of worship or government, then we are to have no church fellowship with them.
Rom. 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Sometimes, gospel ministers arise who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine of the bible. These men are to be marked and we are to avoid them. We avoid them by not using them in our pulpit and by not going to their pulpit to preach. Failure to mark and avoid them will result in their good words and fair speeches deceiving the hearts of the simple.
Sometimes a problem can arise that can be worked out between the affected churches. This was the case in Acts chapter 15 when a problem arose between the church at Antioch and the church at Jerusalem. Acts 15:1 “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.” To resolve this issue the church at Antioch sent the elders of the church to Jerusalem to counsel with the elders of the church at Jerusalem about this question. In the council at Jerusalem the problem was resolved and the churches remained in fellowship with one another.
Interchurch fellowship is good and strengthens the brethren and sisters who have it. However, we cannot have interchurch fellowship with those who have departed from the faith and teach another gospel or depart from the true worship of God.
Our Responsibility to those outside the Church
The Lord said to the disciples: Matt. 5:14 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
The “world” the Lord is referring to is the “world of his born-again children.” They are the only ones that could see the spiritual light of Him and the disciples. A light attracts and makes manifest. The church is a collection of born-again children of God who have pressed into the church kingdom of God and have pressed into service and discipleship. These collectively are a city (church) that is set upon a hill (Kingdom of God). The light of the city goes out to the travelers and passerby’s. It attracts and make manifest the spiritual kingdom of God. It is the responsibility of each of the members of the church to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The Lord told us in Eph. 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” In living our lives according to the teaching of God’s word we are letting our light shine in such a way that men may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven. Therefore, it is our responsibility to live our lives according to the teaching of God’s word.
When the Lord had cast out the legion of unclean spirits in the man called “Legion” he told the man in Mark 5:19: “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” Likewise, we as the disciples of the Lord, out of whom the Lord has cast out our legion of unclean spirits should go home and tell our friends “how great things the Lord hath done for us, and hath had compassion on us.” Peter said in 1 Pet. 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” We should prepare ourselves to answer the questions of our friends and all that would ask us of the reason of the hope that is in us.
Matt. 9:35 “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” When the Lord saw the multitudes outside the kingdom, he was moved with compassion toward them. They were scattered abroad as sheep that have no shepherd. Then he told the disciples (those in the church) to “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Thus our duty as disciples in the church is to be constantly praying that God will send forth labourers into his harvest that those outside the kingdom of God’s born-again children may be gathered into the visible church kingdom on earth.
Likewise, Paul prayed in Rom. 10:1-4: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Paul’s heart’s desire and prayer to God was that God’s children among Israel might be saved from their ignorance and quit trying to establish their own righteousness and that they might come to the knowledge of truth that Christ has already made them righteous. Similarly, we should be praying for God’s people today that they may be saved from their ignorance and from trying to establish their own righteousness through the myriad of systems that men have taught that you must follow in order to become children of God and be saved from your sins. The Lord said, “ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” The truth sets men free from the man-made works systems so that they may worship God in spirit and in truth.
Furthermore, we are to pray for the gospel ministry that God would open doors of utterance that they may go forth and preach and teach those currently outside the gospel church:
1. 2 Thes. 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:”
2. Col. 4:3 “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:”
Charges against an Individual
Both gross public sins and private sins or trespasses against an individual require two or three witnesses in order for them to be considered by the church for discipline. This was both an Old Testament principle under the law and is a New Testament principle to govern the church as set forth by the following verses of scripture:
1. Deu. 17:6 “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.”
2. Deu. 19:15 “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”
3. Mat 18:16 “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”
4. 2 Cor 13:1 “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
5. 1 Tim 5:19 “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.”
6. Heb 10:28 “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:”
This requirement that there be at least two witnesses before a charge can come before the church for discipline is a safeguard to the individual. If two witnesses are required then just because someone is mad at you and wants to do you harm, he cannot do it alone. Further, it is a safeguard to the church so that the church not take action based on the word of one individual, of which, the church cannot be expected to know the motive. However, if two witnesses accuse the brother, then there is far less likelihood that anger or jealousy would be the motive and the accusation is far more likely to be true.
The requirement that an accusation against an elder not be received without two witnesses is especially good for the church. An elder is quite vulnerable to the accusation of a single individual. Many charges can be laid to an elder that would not necessarily be laid to other members of the church. Accusations such as preaching heresy, teaching false practices, dividing the church, etc. are much more frequently laid against the elder than against other members of the church. Evil motives can sometimes lead to an individual in the church bringing a false charge against an elder. The church, therefore, is blessed to have the requirement that a charge not be received against an elder without at least two witnesses. The elder is also blessed for this requirement in that his ministry would be easily overthrown or made of non-effect by the designs of a single wicked man.
Public Offenses
If all of God’s people were perfect and never sinned, then we would not have to deal with the issue of public offenses in the church. This, however, is not the case. We must all admit that we are sinners and that we have a constant warfare against sin as the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit the flesh.
When a person joins the church through water baptism, he is setting forth, among other things, his desire to walk in newness of Spirit and to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, through this act of water baptism, he has joined himself in covenant with the highest ecclesial authority on earth, the Lord’s church. He has submitted himself to “observe all things, whatsoever the Lord has commanded us.” Thus, he has submitted himself to the authority and standards of conduct of the Lord’s church as has been set forth for us in the scriptures.
The church is the “light of the world” the “city that is set upon a hill that cannot be hid.” We are to let our “light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.” The church is to praise, honor, and glorify God. Sin by the membership is a blot against the church. Rather than glorifying God, it brings reproach to the name of God and to the church.
The church is in the public spotlight and is observed by both its friends and its enemies. The enemies of the church rejoice to see public trespasses of God’s people in the church that they may bring ridicule to the Lord’s church. Those who would be sympathetic to the teachings of the bible and drawn to the church are turned off when they see the gross sins of some who are members of the church.
The Lord in his government of the church has given the church ways of dealing with the public trespasses of his servants. This government of the church protects the integrity of the church and the effective witness of the church and brings praise, honor, and glory to the name of the Lord.
Contrary to some beliefs, the sins of the Lord’s people are not all the same in their effect. Some gross sins are an open rebuke to the church. There are sins of omission and sins of commission. There are sins committed through ignorance. There are sins of thought that no one else even knows about. There are sins of trespasses between individuals that only the two parties know about. There are sins of habit. There are willful sins. Since there are many kinds of sins, it stands to reason that not all sins are dealt with in the same way.
First Corinthians chapter five tells the church how to deal with gross sins. Gross sins are listed for us in this chapter as “fornication, drunkenness, covetousness, idolatry, railing, and extortion. The example given us in that chapter is of one who committed adultery with his father’s wife. The church’s first reaction was wrong. They were puffed up because of this sin, and had not rather mourned that the individual might be taken away from among them. It is a time of mourning when someone commits one of these gross sins. It is a time of mourning for the individual and for the need to withdraw fellowship from that individual.
The gross sins are compared to leaven which leavens the whole lump. If left unchecked the gross sins will pervade the entire body of the church and so corrupt the church. The church will be a reproach to the name of Christ and the church will lose her witness to the cause of Christ.
The example above also shows us that the exclusion of the offending member is in the best interest of the offending member as well. Paul told the church to take the following action: 4 “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” The action of the church led the man who had committed adultery to repent and to be restored to fellowship as we read in 2 Cor. 2:6 “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.”
By putting the man away, the church testified that such offenses are not acceptable behavior by a disciple of Christ and that the church would not fellowship with such behavior. Further, by forgiving the man after his repentance, the church testified that as Christ has forgiven us, so we are to forgive one another.
Next, there are sins that a public rebuke is needed. The following examples are given us in the scriptures:
1. Gal. 2:11 “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”
2. 1 Tim. 5:19 “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”
3. Tit. 1:10 “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.”
Other sins, especially sins of omission, or sins of ignornance, or sins of thought are to be handled through the rebuke of preaching God’s word:
1. 2 Tim. 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
2. Tit. 2:15 “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
When one of our brethren has a habit or fault that needs to be corrected Paul gives us the following solution: Gal. 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Private conversations can also be effective in restoring a brother from a sinful error from the truth: James 5:19 “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
Private Trespasses
Trespasses by their very nature are either public or private. We will deal with public trespasses in another essay. In this essay, we will deal with private trespasses between individuals in the church.
Prov. 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” The way of the world seems right unto man, but the consequence of following that way in the church is that it will result in death of fellowship. The way of the world manifests itself in matters of private trespasses with at least one of four different reactions:
1. Go home and pout that our feelings have been hurt. Have nothing to do with the offending party or with anyone who would fellowship with the offending party.
2. Extract revenge on the offending party by offending them back.
3. Try to force an apology from the offending party and when one is received, reluctantly forgive but not forget.
4. Play a political game by telling other members of the church how the other person offended me and is not worthy of being in the church.
Isa. 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” All four of the reactions listed above are worldly carnal reactions and will result in death to fellowship. The Lord’s way is so much better than the our ways.
The Lord gave us wonderful instruction on how to deal with personal trespasses between individuals in the church in Matt. 18:15-17: “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.”
Throughout this eighteenth chapter of Matthew, the Lord laid the groundwork for the instruction in how to deal with personal trespasses. In the first part of the chapter, the Lord told us how that we are not to seek greatness, but we are to humble ourselves as a little child. Next, the Lord instructed us that we are to be very careful not to offend one of God’s little children. Moreover, the Lord taught us that it was not his will that one of his sheep should perish. Following this was the instruction set forth above about how to deal with personal trespasses. In the final portion of this chapter, the Lord deals with the great need of forgiveness.
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” We should first be sure that a brother has trespassed against us before we accuse our brother of a trespass. Often times we assert motives to people’s action that are simply not true. But once we are sure that the brother has trespassed against us then we are duty bound to go to that brother in humility (remember the earlier teaching in the chapter) and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. Notice the word “alone.” This teaches us that we are not to tell anyone else about it until we have first gone to the brother and told him his fault alone. The scriptures also tell us that we are to restore someone in the spirit of meekness. If we go to our brother in a proud manner and began to make proud accusations against him, the likelihood is that we cannot make reconciliation. Remember, the Lord said that it is not his will that one of his little ones perish. Therefore, we should go to our brother with the desire to restore fellowship, not to destroy fellowship.
When we approach our brother in this manner, the vast majority of times the issue will be satisfactorily resolved at that time. However, if it is not resolved, then we are to go to step two: “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” When asking a couple of brothers to go with us, we are not to inform them of the details of the problem beforehand. We are asking them to judge the matter between myself and the offending brother. It is not right for me to try to cloud their minds before they hear the matter from both of us at the same time. Once the witnesses have heard the matter and given their judgment then hopefully the matter will be resolved at that time.
“And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.” This step is to be taken only if the first two steps have been unsuccessful in resolving the matter. It is not to be brought before the church before the first two steps have been taken. A brother who brings a matter of personal trespass before the church before the first two steps have been taken is himself trespasses against the church and should be reprimanded for it. Once step three has been taken, hopefully the matter will be resolved and fellowship between the two parties will have been restored. If the offending brother neglects to hear the church then the only thing that is left is for the offending brother to be removed from the fellowship until he repents.
Disputes between Church Members
We have separated this subject from the one on private trespasses. The one on private trespasses dealt with a personal and direct trespass of one member against another member. Sometimes members involve themselves in business transactions or other contractual transactions with one another. In doing this, sometimes disputes arise and both parties may believe themselves to be correct in the dispute. The Holy Spirit led Paul to deal with this problem in the church at Corinth: 1 Cor. 6:1 “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.”
“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?” The first thing we notice is that Paul condemns the practice of one member going to law against another member in a worldly courtroom. The relationship between brethren in the church should be such that love would be the foremost motivating factor. Rather than bringing the matter into a worldly court, Paul tells them that those in the church (the saints) would be better suited to judge the matter.
“Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” The nations of the world enact various laws and rules and oftentimes these laws and rules are contrary to the word of God. For instance, the laws dealing with divorce in this country are different from the law concerning divorce in the bible. As members of the church, we judge the laws of this country to be wrong and we hold to a standard of the law concerning divorce given to us in the bible.
Another example is the courts of this country hold that a woman may willingly cause the abortion of her unborn child. The church judges the courts to be wrong and we hold to the principle that willing abortion is the murder of the unborn child according to the scriptures. In this way, we judge the world and we hold to the perfect standard of the bible.
“Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” The Greek word translated angels is sometimes translated messenger. The meaning of angel is messenger. The angels of the seven churches in the book of Revelation are the pastors of the seven churches. The church at Ephesus judged men who claimed to be apostles in Rev. 2:2: “and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.” Sometimes pastors are brought before the church because of their actions to be censored or chastened by the church. This is the judging of angels (messengers).
Since the church members are called on to judge the world and to judge angels, it seems quite reasonable that they would be capable of judging matters between brethren.
“If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?” Paul affirms that there are wise men in the church that are capable of judging between brethren and the church should set them aside to judge the matter between brethren.
It has been my experience that this happens quite rarely that there are brethren in the church that have disputes that come before the church. However, the Lord has provided for the church a way to handle such disputes by the church when the need arises.
“Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.” Paul said that it would be better to be defrauded by a brother than to take the matter to a worldly court. He also said that to take a matter to a worldly court is committing fraud against the brother and the brethren.
Church Succession
Matt. 16:15 “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
2 Sam. 7:11 “And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. 12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.”
Acts 2:29 “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Dan. 2:44 “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”
2 Pet. 1:11 “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Jude 3 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
The Faith
Acts 6:7 “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
Acts 13:8 “But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.”
Acts 14:22 “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.”
Acts 16:5 “And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.”
Rom. 1:5 “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:”
Rom. 14:1 “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”
1 Cor. 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
2 Cor. 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
Gal. 1:23 “But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.”
Gal. 3:23 “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.”
Eph. 4:13 “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:”
Phil. 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”
Col. 1:23 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”
Col. 2:7 “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
1 Tim. 1:2 “Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Tim. 3:9 “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 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.
1 Tim. 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”
1 Tim. 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
1 Tim. 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
1 Tim. 6:20 “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.”
2 Tim. 2:18 “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”
2 Tim. 3:8 “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”
2 Tim. 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”
Tit. 1:12 “One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.”
Tit. 3:15 “All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”
1 Pet. 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
Rev. 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
2 Tim. 2:1 “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 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.”
Baptism is an entrance unto the church and is only performed by those elders that have been ordained by the church.
Matt. 21:23 “And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. 27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.”
Lk. 16:16 “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”
Mk. 3:14 “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,”
Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
John 4:1 “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)”
Acts 1:22 “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
Acts 14:23 “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.”
1 Tim. 2:7 “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
Acts 13:2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Matt. 28:16 “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Mk. 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
The Church is identified by its doctrine, practice, and government as set forth in the New Testament.
Matt. 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
1 Thes. 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
2 Tim. 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
2 Cor. 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
Acts 19:1 “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
1 Cor. 11:2 “Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.”
Acts 16:4 “And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Worship
From the verses quoted below, we see that the formal worship of God consists of singing, prayer, and preaching. We also see that true worship must be in Spirit and in truth. To follow the teaching or commandments of men makes worship vain or empty or truly no worship at all. Furthermore, worship is to proceed from the heart and not just with the lips. Our worship is to be directed toward the Lord and not to anyone or anything else. Further, the scriptures are a thorough furnisher unto all of our worship. To add to the scriptures means that we are questioning the wisdom of God. Those who add Sunday schools, or Tract Societies, or Bible Auxiliaries, or Mission Boards, or Bible Schools or Seminaries, or Musical Instruments to their formal worship or the structure of the church are questioning the wisdom of God as he gave us none of these things.
Matt. 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Matt. 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mk. 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
John 4:20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Matt. 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Phil. 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Rev. 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Rev. 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Matt. 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
1 Thes. 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.
2 Thes. 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Rom. 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
1 Cor. 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.\
Eph. 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Heb. 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Rev. 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Rom. 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
2 Cor. 10:14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
Gal. 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
2 Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.