Reference: Ministry
Hastings
The foregoing art. has sufficiently dealt with the general idea of ministry, but something remains to be said more particularly of the foreshadowings and beginnings of an official Christian ministry as these are found in the NT. The earliest historical datum is the distinction drawn by the Twelve between the 'diakonia of the word' and the 'diakonia of tables' (Ac 6:2,4)
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Now in these days while the number of the disciples was multiplying, the Grecian Jews began to murmur against the Hebrews, because their widows were habitually overlooked in the distribution of alms. Then the Twelve called the general body of the disciples together, and said to them. "It is not fitting for us to leave off preaching the Word of God, and minister at tables.
"But we will give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word."
At that time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Now there were in the church in Antioch prophets and teachers; Barnabas and Symeon, surnamed "the Black," Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were in the church in Antioch prophets and teachers; Barnabas and Symeon, surnamed "the Black," Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.
But when the apostles, Paul and Barnabas, heard of it, they rent their garments and rushed out among the crowd, shouting and crying.
But when the apostles, Paul and Barnabas, heard of it, they rent their garments and rushed out among the crowd, shouting and crying.
And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many a good counsel.
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church to come to him;
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church to come to him; and when they arrived, he said to them. "You yourselves know quite well, how I lived among you, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, read more. "serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and amid trials that befell me through the plots of the Jews. "You know that I never shrank from declaring to you anything that was profitable, nor from teaching you publicity and in your homes, testifying both to Jews and Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what will befall me there, except that in city after city the Holy Spirit is warning me that bonds and afflictions are awaiting me. But I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, if only I may run my race, and accomplish the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to attest the gospel of the grace of God. And now I know that not one of you among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see my face again. So I testify to you this day that I am clear from the blood of all men; I never shrank from telling you the whole counsel of God. Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood.
Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock; read more. and that from among your own number, men will arise, perverting the truth, to draw away the disciples after them. So be on guard; and remember that for three years I ceased not to admonish you all, night and day, even with tears. "And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace. He is able to build you up, and to give you your inheritance among all those who are consecrated. "No man's silver or gold of clothing did I ever covet. "You yourselves know how these hands of mine provided for my needs, and those of my companions. "In all things I have set you an example, how that so toiling, you ought to help the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
"In all things I have set you an example, how that so toiling, you ought to help the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
On the morrow we started for Caesarea, where we went into the house of Philip, the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
and while we remained there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
But we have gifts differing according to the grace which was given to us. He that has the gift of prophecy, let him prophesy according to the proportion of his faith. If it is the gift of administration, let us give ourselves to our service. read more. Let the teacher give himself to his teaching; and he who exhorts others to his exhortation. He who gives, let him do it in singleness of mind. He who rules, let him rule with diligence; and he who shows mercy must be cheerful.
and Andronicus and Junia, my kinsfolk and fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, and who became Christians before I did.
For Christ did not think I baptized any one else. For Christ did not send me forth to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel; and that not in philosophic words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made an empty thing.
Proclaiming the gospel gives me no ground of boasting; for necessity is laid upon me; woe is me if I preach not the gospel.
And God has appointed those in the church to be first of all apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers. then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, users of various kinds of "tongues."
And God has appointed those in the church to be first of all apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers. then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, users of various kinds of "tongues." Are all apostles? Are all prophets? teachers? workers of miracles?
It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, and to the elders and deacons.
and HE IS before all, and in him all things subsist.
And this he will do if, indeed, you continue in the faith, firmly founded and stedfast, and never moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, and which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, that gospel of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
These things are ever bringing down the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience,
Masters, deal justly and fairly with your slaves, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;
For if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how shall he take charge of a church of God?
But if any one fails to provide for his own, and especially for his kindred, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel. A widow, to be placed upon the list, must be not less than sixty years old, and one who has been the wife of but one husband. read more. She must be well reputed for good works, as one who has brought up a family, received strangers with hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved the distressed, and diligently followed every good work. But exclude from the list the younger widows; for where they have become wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
for they upset whole households and, for filthy lucre's sake, teach what they ought not to teach.
for they upset whole households and, for filthy lucre's sake, teach what they ought not to teach.
In your teaching be serious and sincere.
In your teaching be serious and sincere.
This saying is trustworthy. On this I want you to firmly insist; that those who have faith in God must be careful to maintain honest occupations. Such counsels are good and profitable for men. But avoid foolish questionings and genealogies and dissensions and wranglings about the law; for these are unprofitable and empty. read more. After a first and second admonition, refuse a man who is causing divisions; you may be sure that such a man is perverted and sinning, and is self-condemned. As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, join me in Nicopolis as quickly as you can, for I have arranged to winter there. Speed Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, on their journey diligently.
Is any in good spirits? Let him sing unto his harp. Is any one of you ill? Let him send for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, after anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;