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, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, "You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him.
The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.
which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, "Tell these things to James, and to the brothers." Then he departed, and went to another place.
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out,
When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly.
Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.
On the next day, we, who were Paul's companions, departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.
or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
I say this to move you to shame. Isn't there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved.
Doesn't even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?
God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),
But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord's brother.
(for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles);
being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:
But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,
Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Don't rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you;
For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain;
Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
But above all things, my brothers, don't swear, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your "yes" be "yes," and your "no," "no;" so that you don't fall into hypocrisy.
Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord,
I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.
But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.