Pastor Jerry Rockwell / TWO OFFICES OF THE CHURCH PASTOR and DEACON

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

TWO OFFICES OF THE CHURCH

PASTOR and DEACON

 

Ephesians 4:11 (KJV), “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”

1 Timothy 3:13 (KJV), “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Introduction: The two passages above give some information about the two “offices” of pastors and deacons. There are several views of these two offices and some confusion about their functions and responsibilities. To understand how Eastland Baptist Church understands the biblical application of the word “office” or “officer,” we must use the Bible for our determination and conclusions. In this study, the word “office” will refer to a position that has responsibilities for the guidance and operation of the church. It might be helpful to begin understanding the different types of “church government.” The prominent methods of church government are:

  • Episcopal Church Government is defined as: “Churches that follow episcopal polity believe that authority should rest with a few persons at the top of a clerical hierarchy. A bishop has final administrative authority over a group of churches which are generally located in a geographical territory.”[1] The Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and several other smaller denominations.
  • Presbyterian Church Government is defined as: “Presbyterian polity is a representative type of polity. Each church elects elders (presbyters) who are delegated authority. Unlike monarchial polity, no one elder has authority above other elders. In addition to elders, Presbyterian churches also elect deacons. Deacons serve primarily in the implementation of administrative matters.”[2] This form of church government is primarily found in Presbyterian churches, many Bible Churches, and others. It is often referred to as “Elder Rule,” where men who are “elders” make up the ruling body of administrative and operational affairs and, in some cases, doctrinal accuracy. This form of church government is often described as a “self-perpetuating and self-regulative body, distinct from, and for the most part, independent of, the congregation.”[3]
  • Congregational Church Government is defined as: “Baptists follow a congregational polity in which individual members have equal authority under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Belief in the priesthood of the believer is a basic foundation that has greatly influenced Baptists in their close adherence to congregational polity.”[4] It should be understood in this study that this definition can cause some problems when it says, “individual members have equal authority under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.” The word “authority” can be misused and misunderstood. Each church member does not have the same “authority” as a pastor. This will be understood in the discussion to follow. Functioning under the position of “priesthood” that each believer has is much different than the responsibility of a pastor who guides and motivates the church. A verse in the New Testament (NT) emphasizes this matter. It says in James 3:1 (KJV), “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” The word “masters” here has the connotation of a “teacher” or one who has the responsibility of teaching the things of God and the doctrines of the Bible. This lesson will deal with the office of “pastor” and the subject of “deacon” will be taught next week.
  1. THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH. This teaching is not about the church, but to understand the offices in the church it is important to make note of the “nature” of the church. The Bible states in Ephesians 5:30-32 (KJV), “30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Again in , Ephesians 1:22-23 (KJV), “22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” The church is made up of believers who make up the “body of Christ.” Thus, the word “church” can have the connotation of a group of people who “belong to the Lord” (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25, 29).
  2. THE TWO OFFICES OF THE CHURCH. The church is only given two offices: pastor and deacon. These positions are men in the congregation who are given responsibility for some aspect of the church for guidance and encouragement. The matter of “oversight” will become effective when given delegated responsibility. Taking a position or responsibility in the church should never be taken lightly. Every Christian and member of a church should consider 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (KJV), “ 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (cf. 1 Cor. 2:9-15).
  3. THE OFFICE OF THE PASTOR. Three words address the responsibility and function of the pastor: pastor, elder, and bishop. They are all the same person, but describe different aspects and work of the church leader. The word “pastor” is found only one time in the New Testament, Ephesians 4:11. In this verse the pastor is placed in a list of leaders of the church, “And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets, and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” This verse is giving a statement of what Christ said about the leaders of the church.
  4. The Calling of a Pastor, Ephesians 4:7-11). This subject is not explicitly addressed but is part of the church’s function. This passage gives some direction to the ministry of the church. This verse ( 4:11) indicates that “Christ” (Eph. 4:7) is the one the word “he” refers to in the context and Christ “gave these gifted men to the church.” This would suggest that the Lord calls or places pastors for the “perfecting of the saints (Eph. 4:12).” The word “perfecting” does not mean to make them perfect, but has the idea of “to furnish, complete, or equip.” We will discuss this later but, we do have a pattern for the church to follow in this passage. The idea is that a pastor should be a “God called man.”
  5. The Responsibility of the pastor, Ephesians 4:12-13. These two verses indicate the pastor is to “perfect the saints” (mature) then the next word says “for. . .” which refers to the “saints” not the pastor. In other words the pastor is to mature the saints “for the work of the ministry” ( 4:12). Also, the pastor has the responsibility of “edifying the body of Christ” (vs. 12). The word “edify” means to “build up.” The word “pastor” has the meaning of a “herdsman or shepherd.” Look with me at 1 Peter 5:1–4 (KJV), “1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” Notice here that the word “elder” is used. It is talking about the person who has the responsibility of leading the church. The pastor is to “feed” the flock, ie. Church. Remember what Jesus said to Satan at the temptation.    “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).
  6. The Qualifications of a Pastor, Titus 1:5-11; 1 Timothy 3:1-7. For this discussion we will examine Titus 1:5–9 (KJV), “5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” The reason for examining this passage is that in 5 Paul instructs Titus to “ordain elders in every city, as I have appointed thee.” This gives how pastors were selected for churches in the first century. Now note in vs. 7 Paul calls these “elders” (vs. 5), “bishops.” This is a great example that the terms, “pastor,” “elder,” and “bishops” are all talking about the same office in the church.
  7. Conclusion. It is clear that the office of pastor is one filled with many functions and serious responsibilities. One last passage to explore is what we find in Hebrews 13. Look with me at Hebrews 13:7 (KJV), “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” Hebrews 13:17 (KJV), “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:24 (KJV), “Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. . .” Remember that we used earlier James 3:1 (KJV), “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” Being a pastor, elder, bishop is a serious business and not to be taken lightly. Every one of the pastoral staff at EBC take this work very serious.
  8. THE OFFICE OF THE DEACON.

To begin this section of the study we can read Philippians 1:1 (KJV), “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” This verse emphasizes the major function of a deacon. Note here the word “deacons.” This word is found five times in the New Testament. Four of these are found in 1 Timothy 3, and one here in Philippians 1:1.

 

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Plurality of elders. Source: Acts 20:17 (KJV), “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.” Paul called the “elders” of the church at Ephesus which is a city, not a church. There was a church in Ephesus that Paul wrote a letter to, but there could have been more churches there by the time Paul called these men for a meeting. Yes, the word is “church” singular, not “churches” plural. It is difficult to develop a doctrine from this.

Elders. The word is found in the Bible 199 times. There were men in the nation of Israel who were called “elders.” Many times the word is used to describe someone who was “older” such as Genesis 25:23 (KJV), “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” This does not sound like the “elder” was to rule (a subject for later in the NT). The first time the word “elder” is used concerning the people of Israel as a nation is Exodus 3:16 (KJV), “Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt.” This is a reference to the “older” men of the nation, the “congregation,” which is a common term to refer to the nation beginning with Exodus through several of the Prophets.

 

[1] Howard B. Foshee, Broadman Church Manual (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1973), 18.

[2] Ibid, page 20.

[3] H. Harvey, The Church, (Philadelphia, Penn.: American Baptist Publication Society, 1897) page 66. Cited by James Alter, Why Baptist? (Sidney, OH., Ancient Baptist Press, 2009) page 91

[4]Ibid, page 17.