Fundamentals of Christianity
Jan 01, 2016
Fundamentals of Christianity
Series Overview
Purpose of this series Scope
Core Beliefs The Bible Biblical Positions Corporate Worship Protestants/Catholics Other Religions
Fundamentals of Christianity –Biblical Positions (NT)
Ministry Purpose
The purpose of our ministry is to Bring people to Jesus Christ and membership in the body of Christ, Develop them to Christ-like maturity, and Equip them for their ministry in the church and life-mission in the world, in order to Magnify God's name.
Fundamentals of Christianity
Objectives
Identify the purpose of the Biblical Positions section in the Fundamentals of Christianity Series
Define the various positions referenced in the New Testament church elder, bishop, deacon, minister (Five -fold) apostle, prophet, teacher,
evangelist, and pastor. Identify and examine the roles of the
positions referenced in the New Testament church
Fundamentals of Christianity
Purpose
The purpose of this section is to examine what the bible states regarding the positions of the New Testament church. Particularly, we will examine the role of the elder, bishop, deacon
Fundamentals of Christianity
Bible Position References The Bible's teaching on the subject
of two church offices is found in 1 Timothy 3:1-16 and Titus 1:5-9.
Although there are three terms used for the offices of the church: bishop, elder, and deacon, analysis of these terms indicates that bishop and elder are used interchangeably.
Fundamentals of Christianity
Bishop
an overseer a man charged with the duty of
seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent
the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian
Fundamentals of Christianity
Elder
a term of rank or office among the Christians, those who
presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably
the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God
Fundamentals of Christianity
Deacon
to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon to minister to one, render ministering offices to
to be served, ministered unto to minister i.e. supply food and necessities of life
to relieve one's necessities (e.g. by collecting alms), to provide take care of, distribute, the things necessary to sustain life
to take care of the poor and the sick, who administer the office of a deacon
in Christian churches to serve as deacons to minister
to attend to anything, that may serve another's interests
to minister a thing to one, to serve one or by supplying any thing
Fundamentals of Christianity
Minister
one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister the servant of a king a deacon, one who, by virtue of the
office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use
a waiter, one who serves food and drinkFundamentals of Christianity
Elder Qualifications
Not addicted to wine
Able to teach Respectable
Above reproach
Manage own household
Not antagonistic Prudent Uncontentious
Husband to one wife
Not a new convert
Hospitable Temperate
Free from the love of money
Fundamentals of Christianity
Titus 1:6-9 NKJV
Elder Duties
The elders' primary responsibilities include: Doctrine - Ensuring that the doctrine of the
church is biblical. Direction - Ensuring that the direction of the
church is consistent with the Abundant Faith & Integrity Worship Ministries statement of purpose.
Discipline - Administering in love and humility the process of church discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1-4; Titus 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 5:17-25; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, and Romans 16:17.
Fundamentals of Christianity
Plurality of Elders
The Scriptures teach that a plurality of elders governed individual New Testament churches—Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5; Philippians 1:1.
Fundamentals of Christianity
Deacons
The Bible teaches that deacons lead by serving—Acts 6.
The qualifications for elders and deacons are the same regarding an individual's character, but they differ in aptitude.
The elders are to be able to teach while the deacons are to be able and proved as servants.
Fundamentals of Christianity
Deacon Qualifications
Fundamentals of Christianity
1 Timothy 3:8-12 NKJV
• Individual of dignity
• Above reproach• Not double tongued
• First tested as servants
• Husband of one wife
• Temperate• Not addicted to wine
• Spouses must be faithful
• Not fond of sordid gain
• Manages household well
• Holding to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience
Five-Fold Ministry
Ephesians 4:11 NKJV; 11 And He Himself gave some to be
apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.
Fundamentals of Christianity
Apostle
Apostles established churches (Rom. 15:17-20), exposed error (Gal. 1:6-9), and defended the truth of the gospel (Phil. 1:7,17). Some were empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform Miracles (Matt. 10:1,8) and they were to preach the gospel (Matt. 28:19,20). (www.carm.org)
Fundamentals of Christianity
Prophet
Someone who is the mouthpiece of God. He stands between God and man to communicate to man the word of God.
When the prophet spoke as the mouthpiece he was inspired and without error.
The prophet, though, is not a puppet or a mindless repeater of what he hears. Instead, he retains his own will, mind, and thoughts as he speaks for God. God would put His words in their mouths (Deut. 18:18; Jer. 1:9).
A prophet was God's servant (Zech. 1:6) and messenger (2 Chron. 36:15). (www.carm.org)
Fundamentals of Christianity
Evangelist
Someone who brings good tidings (gospel).
Fundamentals of Christianity
Pastor
Presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow
Fundamentals of Christianity
Teacher
In the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man as one who showed men the way of salvation
Fundamentals of Christianity
Next Week’s Lesson
Corporate Worship
Fundamentals of Christianity
Passion of the Christ –Series Introduction Friday February 27th 7:00 pm
A film detailing the final hours and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Fundamentals of Christianity