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The Water of the Word |
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1 Timothy 3
Bishop means an elder who is in the service of the Lord. It is a calling, a great responsibiliy and a very important office. Its not a title to exalt anyone over another but they are to be respected and supported. Be thankful to have a good bishop that really cares for the people he ministers to. I don't think God ever intended hierarchy but more like an overseer to teach, preach, make sure sound doctrine is taught, to see to the care of those he represents but not lord over them like a dictator. They have to make their own decisions and run their own households. The apostles were pillars of the church, ministers of the gospel and were great people but they were not infallible or higher than anyone else. Here is what Jesus said:
Here are the words of Peter on the subject:
Does this look like someone who is exalted above others and control other people's lives? We must teach the word and depend on the Holy Spirit to apply the word. We cannot force godliness upon anyone. Peter, who many call the first pope, refuted any such claim of lordship over the others in the flock. Leaders are to set godly examples for the flock to follow as they follow Christ but they are not to be lords and dictators over anyone. They keep out the wolves, they teach, they encourage others to be ministers of the gospel as well and they edify, build up and encourage others in the faith.
He is not to be out for money and be serving God for material reasons. He is not to lust after other people's things. He is not to be violent and one that quickly loses his temper. He is definitely not to be one who cannot maintain self-control like one who is addicted to alcohol and drugs. He is to set the example of godliness. Not to drink strong drinks. Coming under the influence of drugs and alcoholic beverages would keep a person from living godly and he certainly would have no self control. A requirement that he only have one wife doesn't mean he can't be single. Paul the apostle was single. He just couldn't be a polygamist, or one who has more than one wife at a time. If they wife dies, he is free to remarry in other words. He must be an example of hospitality, good teaching and not be one that loses his temper.
Notice it says to take care of the Church of God, not lord over it. Still he must rule over his own household. Under aged children who abide still in his household must be obedient and not be a bad example for others to follow.
One who is newly saved and has not been long in God's service needs to work under another pastor or do other things until he matures enough to have a job as pastor.
The devil will be sure to discover the past of anyone with a bad reputation. It will be found out sooner or later. If the past has been forgiven and the sin is under the blood, we must make sure to be up front and let it be publically known but that any sin has been forsaken. He wouldn't be his fault though if someone falsely accuses him. Deacons are those that take care of church business in a godly manner. They are ministers, helpers and those the take care of the business of the church body.
Deacons are not to be someone who has a drinking problem, a gossiper or money hungry. He is to be honest. He is not to be doubletongued which means saying one thing to one person and saying something different to another in a way that is deceptive. Not be a respecter of persons, who may allow one to get away with what he forbids in another. He must be for real in other words. He must be impartial.
Faith alone is not enough, they must have faith along with a pure conscience. True faith is indeed a mystery because it can't be seen with our natural eyes. We can learn the doctrine of evolution in public school and reject it because of a mysterious thing called faith. Hollywood can trot out all the movies making ministers look like charlatans and many such things but it will not destroy the true faith. We are to have this faith accompanied by a life of holiness so that we will have a pure conscience. Faith which claims belief in Jesus Christ but still allows sin in one's life is a flawed faith which I believe lacking somewhat. If we really believe in Jesus, we will believe in Him, in what He says, in what He stands for and in all He represents. To say we believe in someone and have nothing to do with that someone, ignore the teachings of that someone and live completely opposite of the way the person we claim to believe in lives, then of course we can't really say we believe IN someone. To believe in something means that we accept it as our rule and practice.
Sometimes there are such a shortage of pastors that we are tempted to give over a ministry to a young newbie that has had no experience in dealing with people but fresh out of bible college. Experience is the best teacher. Some of the best pastors I've sat under have never been to bible college. I'm not putting down good education but we sometimes make too much of it. To be called of God is the first requirement, to be full of the Holy Spirit and have a love for people is second. Education is a plus but should never be a requirement because it limits God to a person's circumstances. He could be someone who is from a poor family that has no access to any university yet God puts that burning desire to share His word in someone and we limit them because of their circumstances. Perfect love for the Lord and for people helps to balance all these things out and work for the good of all believers.
Wives of those in office are to be grave (honest), sober and faithful. Deacons also are not to have plural wives although they can be single. They must rule their own children that live in their household well as they set examples to other families. Its a great calling to have.
Each local congregation should be a house of God, grounded in truth, setting the example of godliness to a lost and dying world around them. Godliness is a great mystery. God was manifest in the flesh. Godliness is an awesome reference for God, respecting His authority and believing His word. Seven Facts of the Mystery of Godliness from the notes of Finnis Jennings Dake: 1. Great—divine fullness (1Ti_3:16;
Joh_1:16-17; Eph_3:19; Col_1:19; Col_2:9) I added the above Dake notes just in case someone wanted to study the mystery of God further by looking up verses and reading further about this great topic. DC |
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