Part 30: The Church An Organized Organism 1 Cor 12:12,1414 For as body is one and has many members, but all members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 14 For in fact body is not one member but many. Rom 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, but all members do not have same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one anor. 1
Eph 4:11-1313 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for equipping of saints for work of ministry, for edifying of body of Christ, 13 till we all come to unity of faith and of knowledge of Son of God, to a perfect man, to measure of stature of fullness of Christ; 1 Cor 14:33 For God is not author of confusion but of peace, as in all churches of saints. The church is neir a highly contrived corporation nor a loose commune, but an organism. It has both an organic unity and an operative life principle, since all members are connected to its living Head, Lord Jesus Christ. Yet just as living organisms require structure and organization to function, so does church. Biblical church organization always responds to needs and to what Spirit is already doing. To organize a program and n expect Hoy Spirit to get involved in it is to put cart before horse. We dare not try to force Spirit to fit our mold. Organization is never an end in itself but only a means to facilitate what Lord is doing in His church. John MacArthur 2
Acts 6:1-7 Now in those days, when number of disciples was multiplying, re arose a complaint against Hebrews by Hellenists, because ir widows were neglected in daily distribution. 2 Then twelve summoned multitude of disciples and said, It is not desirable that we should leave word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to ministry of word. 5 And saying pleased whole multitude. And y chose Stephen, a man full of faith and Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom y set before apostles; and when y had prayed, y laid hands on m. 7 Then word of God spread, and number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of priests were obedient to faith. 3
The Apostles were not saying that ministering to people s physical needs was beneath m, y were simply saying that ir priority in ministry was different from ors. That was plain common sense. There was no point in apostles doing something anyone could do when y could do things no one else could do. It was not a question of position but of priorities. It was not that apostles thought it beneath ir dignity to run errands of church; it was simply a matter of putting first things first. John Phillips 4
Acts 6:2 It is not desirable that we should leave word of God and serve tables. Diakonos, diakonia = table servant/waiter Mt 20:26-2828 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave 28 just as Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. The Apostles were called deacons: 2 Cor 6:4, Eph 3:7, Col 1:23, 2 Cor 11:1515 Jesus is called a deacon: Rom 15:8 Stephen and Philip, who were among first deacons, later became evangelists 5
In delegating authority for ministry in Jerusalem church, Apostles laid down requirements for Church leadership Acts 6:3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 18 th Adam Clarke th British Methodist ologian They gave m criterion by which ir choice should be directed; not any man, not every man, not ir nearest relative, or best beloved friend; but such as were of honest report, whose public character was known to be unblemished; and men who were full of Holy Ghost, influence of which would keep all right within, and direct ir hearts into all truth; and men who were known to be men of prudence and economy, for not every good and pious man may be proper for such a work. 6
The requirements for Church leaders: 1. They must be men 1 Tim 3:1-2,8,11-1212 If a man desires position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop n must be blameless, husband of one wife, 8 Likewise deacons 11 Likewise, ir wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling ir children and ir own houses well. Titus 1:5-6 appoint elders in every city as I commanded you 6 if a man is blameless, husband of one wife 1 Cor 11:3,8-9 But I want you to know that head of every man is Christ, head of woman is man, and head of Christ is God. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is image and glory of God; but woman is glory of man. 8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 9 Nor was man created for woman, but woman for man. 1 Tim 2:11-1212 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, n Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 7
Women are vital to ministry: Deborah Ruth Esr Tabitha Lydia Phoebe Philip s daughters Eunice 2. They must be men from among fellowship 3. They must be men of good reputation 1 Tim 3:2-7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and snare of devil. Titus 1:7-8 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 8
4. They must be men full of Spirit Eph 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with Spirit, Stephen (Acts 6:5) and Barnabas (Acts 11:24) 5. They must be men of godly wisdom 1 Chron 12:32 of sons of Issachar who had understanding of times, to know what Israel ought to do, 1 Tim 3:6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into same condemnation as devil. Eph 5:15 See n that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, Rom 12:1616 Do not be wise in your own opinion. 9
Js 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 1 Cor 2:13 These things we also speak, not in words which man s wisdom teaches but which Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Js 3:17 But wisdom that is from above is first pure, n peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Acts 6:6-7 whom y set before apostles; and when y had prayed, y laid hands on m. 7 Then word of God spread, and number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of priests were obedient to faith. Laying on of hands has been way church has officially recognized leaders since time of Apostles: Acts 13:3, 1 Tim 4:14 10
Adam Clarke 18 th century British Methodist ologian This was one of greatest miracles wrought by grace of Christ: that persons so intent on destruction of Christ, his apostles, and his doctrine, should at last espouse that doctrine, is astonishing; and that y who had withstood evidence of miracles of Christ should have yielded to doctrine of his death and resurrection, is worthy of note. And from this we may learn that it is not by miracles that sinners are to be converted unto God, but by preaching of Christ dying for ir offenses, and rising again for ir justification. The grace of Christ Jesus can save even a murderous Jewish priest: his death is a grand atonement for all crimes and for worst of sinners. 11