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 when he was baptized by John until the day he was taken up from us. Therefore, someone like this must become a witness with us to his resurrection."
Then Peter stood up among the eleven apostles and raised his voice to address them:
So the Twelve called the whole group of disciples together and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect messages from God in order to wait on tables.
by sending it through Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
He motioned to them with his hand to be quiet, and then he told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He added, "Tell this to James and the brothers." Then he left and went somewhere else.
But Elymas the occult practitioner (that is the meaning of his name) continued to oppose them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
God, who knows everyone's heart, showed them he approved by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
Then the apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. These were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers.
From Miletus he sent messengers to Ephesus to ask the elders of the church to meet with him.
Pay attention to yourselves and to the entire flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to be shepherds of God's church, which he acquired with his own blood.
The next day, we left and came to Caesarea. We went to the home of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who could prophesy.
If it is encouraging, devote yourself to encouraging others. If it is sharing, share generously. If it is leading, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping, help cheerfully.
Now I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess in the church at Cenchrea.
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who are in prison with me and are prominent among the apostles. They belonged to the Messiah before I did.
I say this to make you feel ashamed. Has it come to this, that there is not one person among you who is wise enough to settle disagreements between brothers?
And so, my dear friends, keep on running away from idolatry.
and every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, which is the same as having her head shaved.
Nature itself teaches you neither that it is disgraceful for a man to have long hair
God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and those who speak various kinds of languages.
God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and those who speak various kinds of languages.
From: Paul an apostle not sent from men or by a man, but by Jesus the Messiah, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead
But I did not see any other apostle except James, the Lord's brother.
For the one who worked through Peter by making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me by sending me to the gentiles.
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, the Messiah Jesus himself being the cornerstone.
which in previous generations was not made known to human beings as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This is that secret:
And it is he who gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still others to be pastors and teachers,
And it is he who gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still others to be pastors and teachers,
From: Paul and Timothy, servants of the Messiah Jesus. To: All the holy ones in Philippi, along with their overseers and ministers, who are in union with the Messiah Jesus.
Brothers, we ask you to show your appreciation for those who work among you, set an example for you in the Lord, and instruct you.
Their wives must also be serious. They must not be gossips, but instead be stable and trustworthy in everything.
Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him as if he were your father. Treat younger men like brothers,
Elders who handle their duties well should be considered worthy of double compensation, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Elders who handle their duties well should be considered worthy of double compensation, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
The reason I left you in Crete was to complete what still needed to be done and to appoint elders in every city, as I myself commanded you.
Because an overseer is God's servant manager, he must be blameless. He must not be arrogant or irritable. He must not drink too much, be a violent person, or make money in shameful ways.
Remember your leaders, those who have spoken God's word to you. Think about the impact of their lives, and imitate their faith.
Continue to follow and be submissive to your leaders, since they are watching over your souls as those who will have to give a word of explanation. By doing this, you will be letting them carry out their duties joyfully, and not with grief, for that would be harmful for you.
Above all, brothers, do not swear oaths by heaven, by earth, or by any other object. Instead, let your "Yes" mean yes and your "No" mean no! Otherwise, you may fall under condemnation.
Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Therefore, as a fellow elder, a witness of the Messiah's sufferings, and one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and who teaches and leads my servants to practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the lamb were written on them.