Results 1 - 10 of 10
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What in the Word is an 'office?' | Matt 15:9 | charis | 14382 | ||
Dear saints, I have been trying to understand the concept of 'office,' and can find no reference in the Bible except this one. A minister is not an administrator, an officer, or an 'hireling,' but a servant of the Lord and His people. As this is a study of the Word of God, please stay away from tradition or extra-Biblical sources. (In other words, no selective quotes. Though others might be more eloquent than you, it is your opinion I seek) Blessings one and all, in Christ Jesus, charis |
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2 | What in the Word is an 'office?' | Matt 15:9 | Searcher56 | 14385 | ||
Ohiogozaimasu, I found two references: office of bishop (1 Tim 3:1) and of a deacon (vs 10) (KJV). The word in the Greek is hierateuo, which is from hieros (holy). Steve |
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3 | Holy or holier? | Matt 15:9 | charis | 14392 | ||
Dear Steve-san, Konbanwa, and almost Oyasumi-nasai for me. These are indeed good references, but the question is, holier? If so, holier than who(m)? You and I are considered holy, and exhorted to become holy. So are 'officials' in the church holier? History and personal experience tell me not. Paul did not seem to think so, either. Shu Iesu Kirisuto no shukufuku ga arimasu yo ni! (Blessings in Christ Jesus!) charis |
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4 | Holy or holier? | Matt 15:9 | Searcher56 | 14394 | ||
Charis-san ... It deals with the high priestly office. The office was set apart. I don't think they are holier. Oyasumi, Steve |
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5 | Offices today? | Matt 15:9 | charis | 14396 | ||
Steve, So, are there any offices today? How many? Who qualifies? Who judges these qualifications? In Jesus, charis |
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6 | Offices today? | Matt 15:9 | Sir Pent | 14397 | ||
There are many offices within the church today, and of course they vary slightly from one denomination to the next. However, I would suggest that there are basically just three categories. 1. There are high administration offices (usually called Bishops, Superintenants, or the Pope), which are responsible for the direction and guidance of entire denominations. I don't know of any Biblical equilivant to this other than maybe the apostles. For instance, Paul had to be approved by them in Jerusalem before going out as a minister. 2. There are offices in charge of particular congregations (usually called Pastors, Priests, Ministers, Reverands, Preachers). These would be what I would compare to the Biblical idea of "Bishops" (see 34 refs post). 3. There are also offices within a particular congregation (usually called Elders, Deacons, Lay Leaders). These would be what I would compare to the Biblical idea of "Deacons" (see 34 refs post). I don't really see any Biblical precedent for how many people should be able to hold any of these positions, and it doesn't seem to be really important. What does seem to be very important is the qualifications of holding these positions. These are adressed very completely in I Timothy chapter 3 and Titus chapter 1. As for who judges these qualifications, I would submit that the officers in category 1 judge those in category 2 who would in turn judge those in category 3. |
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7 | Offices today? | Matt 15:9 | charis | 14399 | ||
Dear Sir, Greetings from Yokohama! Tis time to sleep, but... With all due respect, all these appear to be more in line with my subject verse than with ministry to the Lord and to His people. i.e. administration within organized religion rather than service to the faithful. In Christ Jesus, charis |
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8 | Offices today? | Matt 15:9 | Sir Pent | 14413 | ||
Dear Charis, I apologize for seeming to limit the responsibilities of the offices that I mentioned to only administration of man-made institutions. I was merely trying to define the positions based on the structure they are a part of. In practicality, I believe that these positions are very important to fulfilling God's will and sheparding the flock. I mentioned that the lower office of "Deacon" was to be held by people within a church that can be looked to as examples. This is very important for a church. It is important for people who attend any church to be able to not only learn about God in sermons or Sunday School, but to also see how the Christian life is to be put into practice. It is also important for there to be people in a church who can be sought after for spiritual counsel and advice. This is an important "service to the faithful". As for the office of "Bishop" (or what we now call pastor), I believe that they too have an important role. I Timothy 3:5 speaks of them "taking care of God's church". Titus 1:7 calls them "God's steward", which seems to say that they are responsible for the faithful in thier congregation. This is such an important "ministry to the Lord" that it can be overwhelming at times to many of these people. I would like to also mention the third category of higher denominational administrations (what we now call Superintendants, etc.). I do not know of a Biblical precedent for such positions, and many denominations are consistently attacked for being merely man-made instituions. However, I believe that there is value to having a connectional body of Christ (although that should be a seperate thread). I also believe that these higher administrators are being of service to the faithful by setting a vision of how they can effectively accomplish the will of God here on earth. Of course I believe that God can give individuals direction for how to follow His plan, but often much more can be accomplished when a large number of people are working together for the same goal. |
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9 | Offices today? | Matt 15:9 | charis | 14504 | ||
Dear Sir, No apologies are necessary, my friend. My point (my bent) is that it seems that more focus is made these days on the religious, institutional aspects of office, rather than the simple, Biblical aspect of servitude. Indeed, huge religious organizations have done great works, but I consider these minor in comparison to the work of the Holy Spirit through humble individuals to God-seeking individuals. Mega-churches, power-evangelism, super-revival, universities and hospitals cannot hold a candle to faith and ministry. The sin of the Pharisees is subtle, and may have a beautiful facade, but Jesus never once spoke of 'power-in-size or numbers.' He never once endorsed institutionalized religion, but admonished us to beware of it time and again. To say that the modern version of ministry is 'such and such' frightens me. I would prefer the original, unadulterated version. I am certain that the Holy Spirit is capable of giving us the same spirit of the early church, today, if we allow Him to do so. But, for the most part, present -day religion is so organized (into complete confusion, by the way!) that there is little room for the Spirit to work in our lives. My proof is in the state of the church. Though we 'enjoy' all of these institutional 'blessings' and trappings, the simple faith in God is at an all-time low. Our enemy is not stupid! He is aware that the best offense is side-tracking us with bits and pieces of outward 'blessing.' And much of the church is swallowing it, hook, line, and sinker. The present-day church is obviously polarized into the comfortable, (humanly) organized religious persons, and the emotionally-starved experience-seekers, BOTH devoid of the Spirit, while claiming to be filled by Him. The church is in need of repentance, to return to Christ, away from the uninspired religion of this age. I must say that I have never seen a true 'large number of people are working together for the same goal.' I agree that we must have a church, the local church and the universal church. But the government of His church must rest upon His shoulders, not our divided misinterpretation of His Word. Our sin is that if something works once or twice, we say that it is God's will, and close the doors for the Spirit to do something different in the future. We call this 'organization.' Truly, God loves order, but He demands the right to lead things! This is what is missing, balance. The balance of order and dependence on the Spirit of God. The Word of God is *active,* not predictable. When we 'extrapolate' our faith, it is no longer faith, but religion. That is why we need ministers, not administrators, servants, not officials. Indeed, Christ alone holds 'office' since His resurrection. We should relenquish these things to the Holy Spirit, and be blessed thereby. Forgive the 'ranting,' a.k.a. preaching. :-) In Jesus' name, charis |
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10 | Offices today? | Matt 15:9 | Raymondo | 14568 | ||
Excellent thoughts charis. Bless you!! | ||||||