LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH
Baptist Practice vs. the New Testament
New Testament Baptist
leaders equivalents
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Missionaries
Apostle & denominational
======= executives?
Key passages: Matt 10:1-8, Mark 3:14, Acts 1:20-26 Baptists limit
Apostles to the
Origin: Chosen by Jesus to be his special followers. first century,
The original apostles died out but their authority but have given
continues through the New Testament they wrote. great decision-
Others feel there is a lesser kind of apostle making power to
(Romans 16:7) who would be valid today; they would key executives.
be similar to a modern missionary.
Role:
1. Preach the Word. Mark 3:14
2. Perform miracles and healings. Acts 2:43
3. Spread gospel to other people. Matthew 10:5-6
Requirements:
1. Was with Jesus in his earthly ministry. Acts 1:21
2. A witness of the Resurrection of Jesus. Acts 1:22
3. Had to be chosen by God, either through
Jesus (the original twelve), by casting lots
(Matthias), or by direct revelation from God
(the Apostle Paul on Damascus Road).
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Elder Pastor,
===== Deacons
Key passages: Exodus 3:16, 4:29, 24:1, Numbers
11:29-25; Acts 11:30, 14:23, 15:2,4,5,22; We make deacons
Acts 16:4, 20:17-18 a combination of
elder and
Origin: Arose out of history of Israel. Was never deacon, with
really "invented" but was standard practice in more emphasis on
ancient societies. The elders came to number 70 elder. Elders
(Exodus 24:1-14) and evolved into the Sanhedrin of should be a
Jesus' day (Mark 15:1, Acts 5:21). Elders are also distinct office.
called "overseers" and "shepherds" in the New
Testament. (Later, overseers were called "bishops" Elders should
and became a separate office in Catholicism.) have a deep
grounding in the
Role: Bible and an
1. Elders were to provide spiritual leadership in emphasis on
church. spiritual
2. They decide important spiritual matters. direction.
Acts 15:3
3. They care for people's spiritual needs. Deacons should
4. Teach people God's word. be service-
5. Set a good example for believers and outsiders. oriented.
6. They were appointed and commissioned with laying
on of hands. Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5
7. They laid hands on people so they would receive
the gifts of the Spirit. 1 Tim 4:14
8. Their position was honorable and not to be
criticized unless two or three people brought
the same accusation against them. 1 Tim 5:19-20
9. They were to be paid. 1 Tim 5:17-18
Requirements:
1. Able to preach & defend the Bible. 1 Tim 5:17, Titus 1:9
2. Able to teach. 1 Tim 5:17
3. A firm believer in God. Titus 1:9
4. Morally blameless - they must watch
their spiritual lives. Acts 20:28, Titus 1:6-8
5. Not hot-tempered or domineering. Titus 1:7, 1 Pet 5:2-3
6. Not a drunk, or in shady business. Titus 1:7
7. Must be hospitable. Titus 1:8
8. They must be caring shepherds,
willing to serve people. Acts 20:28, 1 Pet 5:2-3
9. One wife, and children who are
Christians and under control. Titus 1:6
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Deacon Pastor,
====== ? Deacons
Key passages: Acts 6:1-4
Modern pastors
Origin: New Testament only. Apparently they were are expected to
begun to solve a dispute over neglected widows in do "ministry of
Acts 6. (A similar situation arose with Moses Word" and do the
being overburdened with lawsuits in Exodus 18:13-26) work of deacons.
Role: To perform acts of service and love for those Baptist deacons
who are in need, and by doing these things to make decisions
relieve the apostles / elders so they can have more on direction of
time to study and present God's Word (Acts 6:2-4). church, do some
With the elders/overseers, deacons formed service.
leadership of local churches (Phil 1:1).
Requirements:
1. Reputation for being full of the Spirit and
wisdom. Acts 6:3, 1 Tim 3:8
2. They must be sincere. 1 Tim 3:8
3. They cannot be drunks. 1 Tim 3:8
4. They must have honest jobs. 1 Tim 3:8
5. They must be knowledgeable about the Christian
faith. 1 Tim 3:9
6. They must prove themselves over time. 1 Tim 3:10
7. He must have control over his wife (one only)
and children. 1 Tim 3:12
[There is a dispute whether "one wife" excludes those
who are polygamous or divorced or even widowed.]
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Deaconess Deaconesses
=========
Key passages: Romans 16:1, 1 Timothy 3:11 Baptists either
(wives=deaconess), (? 1 Timothy 5:9-10), (? Titus give women very
2:3-5) limited role as
servants, or
Origin: Unknown. make them into
virtual elders
Role: Apparently they emphasized ministry to younger (like they do
women, teaching them how to care for their children the men).
and husbands. It is not certain whether the "list
of widows" in 1 Timothy 5:9 refers to deaconesses However, female
or a group who needed welfare. elders are never
mentioned in the
Requirements: Bible.
1. Worthy of respect. 1 Tim 3:11
2. Not bad gossips. 1 Tim 3:11, Titus 2:2
3. Self-controlled (not drunks) & trustworthy.
1 Tim 3:11, Titus 2:2
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Teachers Sunday School
======== teachers
Key passages: Acts 13:1, 1 Cor 12:28, Eph 4:11-13,
James 3:1; Ezra 7:6,25
Origin: ancient position in Israelite society
Role: instruct congregation in essentials doctrines
and also finer points of Bible. They are largely
responsible for improving spiritual maturity of
believers. Overlaps with role of pastor (Eph 4:11).
Requirements:
1. Must be spiritually mature. Hebrews 5:12
2. Must be knowledgeable - and modest about it.
1 Timothy 1:7
3. Must not pander to students or seek to build a
personality cult. Matthew 23:10, 2 Timothy 4:3
4. Must not be greedy. 2 Peter 2:3
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[other?] Trustees
======== Various boards
& committees
No Scriptural precedent, but can be valid ministries.
Pragmatic concerns can lead to the formation of new
ministries, along the lines of Exodus 18:13-24 and
Acts 6:1-6.
