Reference: Church Government
Hastings
1. The general development seems fairly clear, though its later stages fall beyond NT times. The Apostles were founders of churches, and therefore regulated and supervised the first arrangements; then were added sundry local and unlocal rulers; then the unlocal died out, and the local settled down into the three permanent classes of bishops, elders, and deacons. The chief disputed questions concern the origin of the local ministry, its relation to the other, and the time and manner in which it settled down under the government of (monarchical) bishops.
2. Twice over St. Paul gives something like a list of the chief persons of the Church. In 1Co 12:28 he counts up
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beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us-from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection."
But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: "Jewish men and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you and pay attention to my words.
Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to wait on tables.
This they did, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.
Motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he explained to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. "Report these things to James and the brothers," he said. Then he departed and went to a different place.
But Elymas, the sorcerer, which is how his name is translated, opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this and rushed into the crowd, shouting:
When they had appointed elders in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.
Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers.
Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
The next day we left and came to Caesarea, where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him. This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
The following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae.
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were also in Christ before me.
I say this to your shame! Can it be that there is not one wise person among you who will be able to arbitrate between his brothers?
Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved.
Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace to him,
And God has placed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next, miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, managing, various kinds of languages.
And God has placed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next, miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, managing, various kinds of languages.
Paul, an apostle-not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead-
But I didn't see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
For He who was at work with Peter in the apostleship to the circumcised was also at work with me among the Gentiles.
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.
Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,
Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything.
Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,
The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town:
For an overseer, as God's manager, must be blameless, not arrogant, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,
Remember your leaders who have spoken God's word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Now above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. Your "yes" must be "yes," and your "no" must be "no," so that you won't fall under judgment.
Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord.
Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah, and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you:
But I have this against you: you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols.
The city wall had 12 foundations, and on them were the 12 names of the Lamb's 12 apostles.