Category: CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Priest(s)(hood) appears in the Old Testament 689 times.
And except for 6 references in Genesis 14:18, 41:45,50, 46:20, 47:22,26 and 3 in Exodus 2:16, 3:1, 18:1, they mostly refer to Jewish Leaders in the Tabernacle or Temple who offered animal sacrifices for the people.
In the New Testament 157 times. In the Gospels 93 times. In Acts 25 times. In Hebrews 34 times. Always referring to Jewish religious leaders in the Temple. Since the fall of the Temple in 70 AD, Religious Jewish leaders are referred to as Rabbis. (The priests were the ones who offered animal sacrifices in the Temple. That practiced ceased, but will start up again when the Temple is rebuilt).

In the early Jewish Church, in Acts, (Believers in the Lord Jesus as the Messiah) the leaders were referred to as Apostles, Deacons, Elders, Evangelist, Prophets ……

As Paul took the Gospel to the Gentiles and formed churches, the leaders were referred to as Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Preachers, Evangelist See CHURCH LEADERS ….. (Note: Priest(s) is never referenced by Paul in instructions to the Churches)

Some groups even refer to their leaders as “FATHER”. Look what the Lord Jesus says about that: Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Peter writing to Jews (strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, because of the persecutions of Saul and other Jewish Leaders) reminds them of Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:. (1 Peter 2:5,9) This will occur when the Temple is rebuilt. John, writing in Revelation about the coming Tribulation also refers to this priesthood (Revelation 1:6). And again, in Revelation 5:10. Then when the kingdom is established on earth, with Christ ruling from Jerusalem for 1000 years, John writes (Revelation 20:6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
This is all to the Jews, during that time.

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The joyful responsibilities of every true believer in Christ Jesus:
a. TO GOD:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, …? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required …
2 Corinthians 5:19-20 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. Ephesians 3:9…and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
b. TO ONE ANOTHER:
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
c. TO THE WORLD
Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 3:24-25 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures ,

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2. The oneness of all TRUE believers in (the death, burial and resurrection) Christ Jesus:
   a. Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
   b. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
   c. Ephesians 4:3-6 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, … one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, kwho is over all …
3. The perfect standing of every true believer in Christ Jesus:
   a. Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order …
   b. Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him …
   c. Colossians 2:9-10 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every …
4. The oneness of all TRUE believers in (the death, burial and resurrection) Christ Jesus:
   a. Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
   b. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
   c. Ephesians 4:3-6 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, … one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all …
5. The perfect standing of every true believer in Christ Jesus:
   a. Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order …
   b. Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him …
   c. Colossians 2:9-10 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every …

⇛ continue reading Church(es) Should Preach Part 3

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Apostles: The majority of the time the word APOSTLES appears in the Scriptures, it refers to the 12 Apostles:

Matthew 10:2; Mark 6:30; Luke 6:13 9:10 17:5 22:14 24:10; (not in John) Acts 1:2,26 2:37,42,43 4:35,36,37 5:2,12,18,29,34,40 6:6 8:1,14,18 9:27,11:1 14:4,14 15:2,4,6,22,23,33 16:4; I Corinthians 4:9 9:5,12:28,29 15:7-9; II Corinthians 11:5 12:11; Galatians 1:17,19; Ephesians 2:20 3:5 4:11; I Thessalonians 2:6 Jude 1:17; Revelation 2:2 18:20 21:14; (Revelation 21:14 is the Last reference to 12 Apostles)

Now a text that appears to address others (other than the original twelve, Matthias (the ELECTED not SELECTED), and Paul (the Chosen) as APOSTLES.

Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 

Does this mean Andronicus and Junias were Apostles or apostles?

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Bishop (5x) Greek EPISKOPOS  Superintendent, Overseer
      I Peter 2:25      …Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (Christ)
      Titus 1:7         …bishop must be blameless…
      I Timothy 3:2     …bishop must be blameless…
Bishop (1x) Greek EPISKOPE  (I Timothy 3:1) Office of bishop
Bishop s (1x)      Greek EPISKOPOS  Superintendent, Overseer
     Philippians 1:1 …with the bishops and deacon.

Elder(s) (65x) Greek PRESBUTEROS  Senior, Older
Elder(s) (2x) Greek PRESBUTERION  Presbytery, estate of elder,
Luke 22:66;Acts 22:5
      I Timothy 5:15 “…Let the elders that rule well…”
      Titus 1:5 “…and ordain elders…”
     I Peter 5:1 “…the elders … I exhort, am also an elder…”
     I Peter 5:5 “…ye younger, submit …unto the elder…”
      2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1  “The elder (John) unto…”

A study of elders in the book of Acts gives a better understanding.
Acts 4:5  “…their rulers, and elders and scribes…”
4:8  “…and elders of Israel…”
6:12 “…the chief priest and elders…”
22:5  “…all the estate of the elders; from whom also I received…”
23:14 “…came to the chief priests and elders, and said…”
24:1  “…the high priest, descended with the elders, and with…”
25:15 “…the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me…”
(Above refers to Temple (Jews) – Below refers to Church (Christians))
      11:30 “…sent it to the elders…”
      15:2  “…unto the apostles and elders about this question.”
      15:4  “…received by the church, and the apostles and elders…”
      15:6  “And the apostles and elders came together to consider…”
      15:22 “it pleased the apostles and elders…”
      15:23 “…The apostles and elders and brethren sent greetings…”
      16:4  “…that were ordained of the apostles and elders…”
      20:17 “…and called the elders of the church.”
     21:18 “…and all the elders were present.”

It would appear that the office of elder was a carry over (by the Jews) from the Temple to the Church. The office is still in some churches today. Some are preachers, some are above deacons and some replace deacons.

Deacon (2x) Greek DIAKONEO  wait upon, serve, minister (unto) (the act)
     I Timothy 3:10,13 …use office of deacon…  …used the office of a deacon…Deacons (3x) Greek DIAKONOS  an attendant, minister, servant (the person)
Philippians 1:1   …with the bishops and deacons.
I Timothy 3:8,12  …deacons must be grave …deacons … husband of one wife

⇛ continue reading Church Leaders Part 4
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Pastors (1x)    Greek POIMEN Shepherd,
Pastor        Ephesians 4:11
      (Pastor (1x) Jeremiah 17:16 Old Testament Hebrew)
Teacher (4x) Greek DIDASKALOS    Instructor: Doctor, Teacher, Master
      (Greek DIDACHE       Doctrine    Greek DIDACHO To Teach)
John 3:2    … that thou (Jesus) art a teacher from God…
Romans 2:20 … a teacher of babes…
I Timothy 2:7     …a teacher (Paul) of the gentiles in faith…
II Timothy 1:11   … (Paul) a teacher of the gentiles…
Teachers (6x) Acts 13:1 …certain … teachers as Barnabus and Symeon
 I Corinthians 12:28,29  …God hath set some in the church
 Ephesians 4:11    …and some teachers…
 II Timothy 4:3    …heap to themselves teachers…
 Hebrews 5:12      …ye ought to be teachers…
 I Timothy 1:7 Greek NOMODIDASKALOS      …teachers of the Law…
 Titus 2:3 Greek KALODIDASKALOS    …teachers of good things…
 I Peter 2:1 Greek PSEUDODIDASKALOS       …False Teachers…
Preacher (1x) Greek KERUSSO Proclaimer, Publisher
Romans 10:14; How shall they hear without a Preacher?
Preacher (3x) Greek KERUX Heralder, of divine truth
 I Timothy 2:7 “… I (Paul)…ordained a preacher…apostle…teacher”|
II Timothy 1:11 “…I (Paul)…appointed a preacher…apostle…teacher…”
II Peter 2:5 ‘’…Noah, the eight person, a preacher…”.  

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In view of what we believe, we should be willing to share our faith with others and try to point the to the way of salvation. This includes speaking to Family and friends, as the Holy Spirit leads, to their need of Salvation. And of course supporting Missions and the local Church.

Psalm 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

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Acts 16:1-5 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

1 ⇒ Different opinions should not stop Church Growth —
Even though Paul and Barnabas had a falling out, going their separate ways Acts 15:39-40 All that really matters is basic truth – I Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 10:9-13 – They continued to spread the word of salvation.
The Lord Jesus is the corner stone, and we are to build upon that truth.
2 ⇒ Proclaim Christ – Preach the Gospel Acts 16:4 Establish churches
3 ⇒ Train new Leadership
Acts 16:1 Timothy
Galatians 2:1 Titus
Acts 15:40 Silas
Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Galatians 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Acts 15:40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
4 ⇒ Above all, Don’t Quit Acts 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

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Outline from Pastor Steve Kramm (www.bethelbythepark.org/)