Time to DIG! The Official Capacities of the Church

[James Spurck]

I would recommend us all to start studying in detail the break down of
the offices and ministries of the church. This seems to be the center
thought of our Bible study and I think we are now ready to get into
the meat of this discussion. So I have decided that the soon-to-follow
systematic approach (taking in thought their chronological order and
contextual placement) is what I will begin with and pursue this
course, as the Holy Spirit guides and leads me to.

I just wanted to share this basic outline with all of you so you can
see and take advantage of the scripture references that I have
gathered on each of these offices and ministerial duties that appear
within the early church.

I have decided to dig as deep as the Holy Spirit will let me. 2 Tim.
3:16-17 gives us the benefits of reading/studying scripture: "All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine (what's right), for reproof (what's wrong), for correction
(how to get it right), for instruction in righteousness (how to keep
it right): That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works."

I will be posting soon a quick outline with references that I will use
as I study the government and seemingly official capacities of the
church. Feel free to add to this any references that may have been
overlooked.

I will post, as I study, my thoughts whether they be brainstorming or
persuasions.

[James Spurck]

A rigid classification of the various "officers" is impossible, for
they often seem to touch and include each other. The best we can do is
to group the "officers" conveniently for discussion rather than to
attempt any “strict classification.” (This list is expandable and
overlapping – please add – this is just a starting point for me for
biblical references – not original either  ):

1. Spiritual Duties (this can be broken down much more in detail than
what I have as a start – 1 Cor. 12)
a. Apostles (Matt. 10:2; Luke 6:13; 11:49; 22:14; Acts 1:2, 15-26;
8:1, 14; 11:1; 14:14; 15:2-33; Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:1; 9:1-2, 4-6;
12:28; 2 Cor. 12:11-12; Gal. 1:1; Eph. 2:20; 3:5; 4:11; Phil. 2:25)
b. Prophets (Acts 11:27-28; 13:1; 15:32; 21:10-11; 1 Cor. 12:28;
14:29-40; Eph. 2:20; 3:5; 4:11)
c. Evangelists (Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:5)
d. Teachers (Acts 13:1; 1 Cor. 12:28-29; Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2
Tim. 1:11; 2:2; Heb. 5:12; James 3:1)
e. Workers of Miracles ( )
f. Gift of Healing ( )
g. Speak in Tongues or Interpret ( )

2. Official Duties (cf. “helps, governments” 1 Cor. 12:29)
a. Elders (Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2-6, 22-23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; 1
Tim. 5:17-19; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1; 2 John 1; 3 John 1)
b. Bishop (Acts 2:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-2; Titus 1:7)
c. Pastor (Eph. 4:11 - cf. John 10:11; Heb. 13:20; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet.
2:25)
d. Deacons (Acts 6; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-13)

[James Spurck]

Let me add this follows the traditional way of thinking and therefore
i have chosen to follow that outline to challenge this concept in
regards to its proper alignment within their respective time frames
and contextual background.

[Jack Mercer]

James, this is fantastic! A great framework. I am in the process of
moving through it, and it gives me a lot more to chew on than I
already had.

A quick observation. You had mentioned that in Timothy "bishop" was
singular vs. the plural use of "deacons". I happened to notice in the
first verse of Philippians that Paul acknowledged "bishops" (plural)
in the church at Philippi.

One thing I am unsure of. As we see the rise of these "offices" are
we seeing a rise in "organized religion" and structure. Does Paul's
acknowledgement of such (elders, deacons, bishops, etc.) an
endorsement of them, or simply an acknowledgement of man's propensity
to organize himself in the typical pyramidal structure.

Jesus heartily criticized this top down structure:

Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that
the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that
are great exercise authority upon them.

Later Peter pointed out that the structure obviously had flaws because
it was being used for the wrong purpose:

1Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being
ensamples to the flock.

I have a personal "theosophy" that God never intended man to rule man,
that the relationship he always desired from man was non-mediatorial
and direct. If the middle wall of partition was broken down, then why
are we hastily reconstructing it?

On Jan 17, 11:53 am, James Spurck <jmspu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Let me add this follows the traditional way of thinking and therefore
> i have chosen to follow that outline to challenge this concept in
> regards to its proper alignment within their respective time frames
> and contextual background.
>
> On Jan 17, 11:50 am, James Spurck <jmspu...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > A rigid classification of the various "officers" is impossible, for
> > they often seem to touch and include each other. The best we can do is
> > to group the "officers" conveniently for discussion rather than to
> > attempt any "strict classification." (This list is expandable and

> > overlapping - please add - this is just a starting point for me for
> > biblical references - not original either  ):

>
> > 1. Spiritual Duties (this can be broken down much more in detail than

> > what I have as a start - 1 Cor. 12)

> > > persuasions.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -