Qualifications for Elders and Deacons
Notes
Transcript
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Introduction
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Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966 (5. Church Officers and their Appointment)
The appointment of elders (including pastors) and deacons, for office within the local church, and of preachers and missionaries for the work of evangelism is the responsibility of the local church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s ordination is recognised both by the experience of the inward conviction, and by the approval of the church observing the possession of those gifts and graces required by Scripture for the office concerned. The one so called should be set apart by the prayer of the whole church.
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1. Appointment
1. Appointment
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Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966 (5. Church Officers and their Appointment)
The appointment of elders (including pastors) and deacons, for office within the local church, and of preachers and missionaries for the work of evangelism is the responsibility of the local church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
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1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
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2. Qualifications for Elders v2-7
2. Qualifications for Elders v2-7
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Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966 (5. Church Officers and their Appointment)
The Lord’s ordination is recognised both by the experience of the inward conviction, and by the approval of the church observing the possession of those gifts and graces required by Scripture for the office concerned.
Hendriksen The Pastoral Epistles (3:1–7)
It is immediately clear that according to Paul’s inspired teaching the prospective overseer must have a favourable testimony from two groups: (a) insiders, that is, church-members, and (b) outsiders, that is, those who are outside the church.
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a. His Character v2
a. His Character v2
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
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i. Above Reproach v2
i. Above Reproach v2
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
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13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
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ii. Maritally Pure v2
ii. Maritally Pure v2
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
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15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.
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9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
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iii. Sober-Minded v2
iii. Sober-Minded v2
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
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6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
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iv. Self-Controlled v2
iv. Self-Controlled v2
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
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3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
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3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
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v. Respectable v2
v. Respectable v2
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
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43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
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9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
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vi. Hospitable v2
vi. Hospitable v2
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
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13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
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2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
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9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
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vii. Able to Teach v2
vii. Able to Teach v2
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
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24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
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11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
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9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
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28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
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b. His Daily Life v3-7
b. His Daily Life v3-7
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
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i. Not a Drunkard v3
i. Not a Drunkard v3
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
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18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
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ii. Not Violent v3
ii. Not Violent v3
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
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24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
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iii. Not Quarrelsome v3
iii. Not Quarrelsome v3
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
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1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
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iv. Not A lover of Money v3
iv. Not A lover of Money v3
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
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21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
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27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
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33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
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v. Managing His Household v4-5
v. Managing His Household v4-5
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4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
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1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.
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17 The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”
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1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
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vi. Not a Recent Convert v6
vi. Not a Recent Convert v6
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
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5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
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3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
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vii. Well Thought of v7
vii. Well Thought of v7
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
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5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
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12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
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5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Conclusion
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7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
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17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.