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 drink Fundamentals of Christianity

Elder Qualifications  Not addicted to wine  Able to teach  Respectabl e  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). ( 15:17- 20Gal. 1:6-9Phil. 1:717Matt. 10:18Matt. 28:1920www.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).Deut. 18:18Jer. 1:9  A prophet was God's servant (Zech. 1:6) and messenger (2 Chron. 36:15). ( 1:62 Chron. 36:15www.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 27 th  7:00 pm  A film detailing the final hours and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Fundamentals of Christianity