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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In those days, as the number of the disciples grew, there arose a grudge among the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were despised in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said, "It is not meet that we should leave the word of God and serve at the tables.
but we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministration of the word."
In those days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
There were at Antioch, in the congregation, certain prophets and teachers: as Barnabas and Symeon called Niger; And Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, Herod the tetrarch's nurse-fellow, and Saul.
There were at Antioch, in the congregation, certain prophets and teachers: as Barnabas and Symeon called Niger; And Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, Herod the tetrarch's nurse-fellow, and Saul.
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul heard that, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul heard that, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying
And Judas and Silas being prophets, exhorted the brethren with much preaching, and strengthened them.
Wherefore from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the congregation.
Wherefore from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the congregation. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, "Ye know from the first day that I came unto Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, read more. serving the Lord with all humbleness of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which happened unto me by the layings wait of the Jews, and how I kept back nothing that was profitable: but that I have showed you, and taught you openly and at home in your houses, witnessing both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, the repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, and know not what shall come on me there, but that the holy ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and trouble abide me. But none of those things move me. Neither is my life dear unto myself; that I might fulfill my course with joy, and the ministration which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now behold, I am sure that henceforth ye all, through whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this same day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have kept nothing back: but have showed you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, whereof the holy ghost hath made you overseers: to rule the congregation of God, which he hath purchased with his blood.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, whereof the holy ghost hath made you overseers: to rule the congregation of God, which he hath purchased with his blood. For I am sure of this: that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, which will not spare the flock. read more. Moreover, of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them. Therefore awake and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one of you, both night and day with tears. And now dear brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build further, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have desired no man's silver, gold, or vesture. Ye know well that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to receive the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how that he said, 'It is more blessed to give, than to receive.'"
I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to receive the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how that he said, 'It is more blessed to give, than to receive.'"
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 deacons, and abode with him.
And as we tarried there a good many days, there came a certain prophet from Jewry, named Agabus.
Seeing that we have divers gifts according to the grace that is given unto us: if any man have the gift of prophecy, let him have it that it be agreeing unto the faith; Let him that hath an office, wait on his office; read more. Let him that teacheth take heed to his doctrine; Let him that exhorteth give attendance to his exhortation; If any man give, let him do it with singleness; Let him that ruleth do it with diligence; If any man show mercy let him do it with cheerfulness.
Salute Andronicus, and Junia, my cousins, which were prisoners with me also, which are well taken among the apostles, and were in Christ before me.
For Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should have been made of none effect.
In that I preach the gospel, I have nothing to rejoice of. For necessity is put unto me. Woe is it unto me if I preach not the gospel.
And God hath also ordained in the congregation, first the apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, then them that do miracles; after that, the gifts of healing, helpers, governors, diversity of tongues.
And God hath also ordained in the congregation, first the apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, then them that do miracles; after that, the gifts of healing, helpers, governors, diversity of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all doers of miracles?
And the very same, made some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Shepherds, some Teachers:
Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ. To all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
All things are created by him, and in him, and he is before all things, and in him all things have their being.
if ye continue grounded and established in the faith, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, whereof ye have heard, how that it is preached among all creatures, which are under heaven, whereof I, Paul, am made a minister.
for which thing's sakes the wrath of God cometh on the children of unbelief.
Ye masters do unto your servants that which is just and equal, seeing ye know that ye have also a master in heaven.
Yea, and a bishop must be faultless, the husband of one wife, sober, discreet, honestly appareled, harborous, apt to teach,
For if a man cannot rule his own house, how shall he care for the congregation of God?
If there be any that provideth not for his own, and namely for them of his household, the same denieth the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let no widow be chosen under sixty years old, and such a one as was the wife of one man, read more. and well reported of in good works: if she have nourished children, if she have been liberal to strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have ministered unto them which were in adversity, if she were continually given unto all manner good works. The younger widows refuse. For when they have begun to wax wanton, to the dishonour of Christ, then will they marry,
whose mouths must be stopped, which pervert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, because of filthy lucre.
whose mouths must be stopped, which pervert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, because of filthy lucre.
Above all things, show thyself an example of good works with uncorrupt doctrine, with honesty,
Above all things, show thyself an example of good works with uncorrupt doctrine, with honesty,
This is a true saying. Of these things I would thou shouldest certify, that they which believe God, might be diligent to go forward in good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Foolish questions, and genealogies, and brawlings and strife about the law; avoid, for they are unprofitable, and superfluous. read more. A man that is given to heresy, after the first and the second admonition; avoid, remembering that he that is such, is perverted, and sinneth, even damned by his own judgement. When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me unto Nicopolis. For I have determined there to winter. Bring Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, on their journey diligently, that nothing be lacking unto them.
If any be diseased among you, let him call for the elders of the congregation, and let them pray over him, and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord: