Page 310 - Bible Writers Theology Original

294 ♦ Bible Writers'Theology Chapter Nine
B
Positional Offices
We have seen how the New Testament classified the spiritual leaders of the early Church. They spearheaded its evangelistic mission, at the same time taking care of God's flocks in local congregational settings. The five fold ministry is the repository of the main functional gifts placed in the ChurchbytheSpiritofGod. TheNewTestamentwritingsmentionalsothe name of positions or offices held by those who were actively involved in the
work of the ministry (I Corinthians 12:12-29; Ephesians 4:11,12).
As Jesus named His twelve disciples "apostles" (Luke 6:13), we find that Paulwrote about bishops and deacons in his pastoralepistles (I Timothy 3:1- 13). He called them to oversee the elders; they were in charge of the Ephesian church (Acts 20:17,28). He also ordained elders in every church betweenLystraandAntioch(Acts13:1-3). Inhisfirstepistle,Peter,address ing the elders among the dispersed Christians of his days, exhorted them to feed the flock of God and to oversee it. He attributed to the same elders the role of overseer and shepherd or pastor (I Peter 1:1; 5:1-2).
Asimple examination of Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5-7; and I Peter 5:1-2 brings us to conclude that the terms of bishop, overseer, and shepherd or pastor can beinterchangeablyappliedtopresbyterorelder. Itisgenerallyheldthat "elder" refers to his position or status, while bishop or overseer relates to his function or duty.
It is the Holy Spirit who inspired Paul, the requisites of spiritual leader ship as listed in 1Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 for elders, and in 1Timothy 3:8-13fordeacons. InappraisingPaul'schallengingstatementin1Timothy 3:1,it should be observed that it is not the officeof overseer, but the function thatinhiseyes,isvaluedashonorableandnoble. Inthosedays,astheNew Testament records, the rewards of those aspiring to this status were often hardshipandrejection (Matthew10:16-23).Paultoldustorespecttheoffice (1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:12-13). The office sought the
man who would qualify for it. The ability to teach and guide were also enjoined to the qualifications for leadership in the ministry, as indispensable requirements(Acts20:28;Hebrews13:1-3). Thesizeofalocalcongregation could require several elders to share the responsibility of overseeing the church (Acts 14:23,20:17; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5).
It is generally assumed that the role of the deacon is to assist the elders who would assign them in tasks matching with their ability, as it was the case of Acts 6:1-6. Almost identical moral standards are set for those called to this task (1 Timothy 3:8-13). Furthermore, the early church has left a lega cy of spiritual procedures for the placement into office of responsible minis ters and deacons. Ordination ofqualifying elders for the preaching ministry.