The Baptist Distinctives, the reason we are Baptists.
The Offices of Pastor and Deacon.
God called;
(Eph 4:11-14) "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; {12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: {13} Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: {14} That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
(1 Th 5:11-13) "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. {12} And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; {13} And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves."
(Acts 6:1-6) "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. {2} Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. {3} Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. {4} But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. {5} And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: {6} Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them."
THE NAMES OF LEADERSHIP
All agree that there existed at least two leaders in the New Testament churches, elders and deacons. Not all agree that both are necessary today. It has been argued, for example, that since Paul mentions only elders in Titus 1 ,deacons are optional in the organization of the church. In the Baptist-Congregational system, the single pastor of the church fills the office of elder, whereas in the Presbyterian—Federal system, the pastor serves as one of several elders.
A more basic question is whether or not there exists a third class of leaders, bishops. The word is used once of Christ (1 Peter 2:25); otherwise it refers to human leaders of the churches.
That bishops and elders referred to the same group seems clear for the following reasons:
Qualifications:
Found in 1 Tim 3:1-7 and Titus 1:7-9
a. He must be a male—It has been correctly observed that, without exception, the principle church offices in the New Testament were held by men. Especially is this true regarding the offices of pastors and deacons. One of the chief qualifications for each of these offices is that the individual involved be "the husband of one wife" (1 Tim. 3:2, 12) To say the least, a woman could scarcely meet this requirement.
| Do not allow congregational doctrine to be taught by
a woman (2:12). Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest points out
that here Paul uses the present infinitive tense instead
of the aorist tense. Thus the command here could read,
"I do not permit a woman to be a teacher."
This, of course, does not prohibit her from teaching a
ladies’ Bible class, Sunday school, etc. But the
doctrinal teachers in the family of God are to be men
(Acts 13:1; 1 Cor. 12:28-29; Eph. 4:11). Paul now quickly
gives Timothy three reasons for this. 1. Because of the original creation—"For Adam was first formed, then Eve" (2:13; see also Eph. 5:22; 1 Cor. 11:1-16). 2. Because of the original corruption—"And Adam was not deceived [apatao, to merely deceive], but the woman being deceived [exapatao, to totally deceive], was in the transgression" (2:14; see also 1 Cor. 11:8-9). 3. The Word of God presents a divinely appointed threefold headship:
The Greek word translated "quietness" in 2:11 and "silent" in 2:12 does not mean total silence, or no talking. It rather means, "settled down," "undisturbed, not unruly," as translated in Acts 22:2 and 2 Thessalonians 3:12. The Greek word meaning "to say nothing" is sigao. (See Luke 18:39; 1 Cor. 14:34.) |
b. He must be blameless—Note, it does not say sinless. In essence, he must be without reproach, that is, of such character that no accusation can be leveled against him.
c. He must be the husband of one wife.
(1) The false view of a prohibition of polygamy—According to this theory, Paul is simply saying no church member who had several wives in his home could qualify as a bishop. However, this view has serious problems.
(a) Paul had already forbidden this years ago (Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Cor. 7:2). (b) The Roman government had outlawed polygamy at this time.
(c) There is no evidence that the early church ever had this problem.
(d) This term literally says a "one-woman man" and is found again in 1 Timothy 5:9
(though here reversed) where it speaks of a widow as a "one-man woman."
(2) The prohibition of divorce —According to this fact, a divorced and remarried man is prohibited from occupying the office of the pastorate, regardless of the circumstances that may have surrounded the divorce.
Some opposing this often accuse its advocates of simply underestimating the saving grace of God that totally wipes out the sinner’s past. Spiritually speaking, this is absolutely correct. However, it does not change in the least many earthly circumstances. For example, a man saved in prison remains a prisoner.
Furthermore, it must be kept in mind that Paul here in this chapter is not discussing the salvation of a sinner, but the qualification of an officer.
Finally, of all the qualifications mentioned here, this is the only one that cannot be corrected in the closet of prayer. For example, if a bishop has problems with greed (a qualification mentioned in 1 Tim. 3:3), he may confess this and rid himself of it. But he simply cannot pray away the existence of more than one living former wife.
d. He must be vigilant (temperate).
e. He must be sober (serious-minded).
f. He must be of good behavior (orderly)—This would be reflected in his sermons, clothes, and life manner.
g. He must be given to hospitality (a lover of strangers).
h. He must be "apt to teach" (having the ability and love for teaching)—"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" (Eph. 4:11).
i. He must not be given to wine.
j. He must not be a striker (not pugnacious).
k. He must not be greedy of money.
l. He must not be a brawler (not contentious).
m. He must not covet (not desire something belonging to someone else).
n. He must rule his own house well—"One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" (1 Tim. 3:4-5).
o. He must not be a novice (a new convert)—"Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil" (1 Tim. 3:6).
p. He must maintain a good report from without (a good public testimony in his immediate community).
2. Deacon (See 1 Tim. 3:8-13.)
a. He must be grave (held in high respect).
b. He must not be double-tongued (two-faced, a talebearer).
c. He must not be given over to wine.
d. He must not be greedy.
e. He must hold forth the mystery of the faith (know, explain, and defend the great theological truths of the Bible).
f. He must maintain a pure conscience.
g. He must be tested and proven (his testimony within the church must be good).
h. He must be blameless (his testimony without the church must be good).
WE ARE BAPTISTS BECAUSE WE HONOR THE OFFICES OF PASTOR AND DEACON.
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This page was updated on 03/23/00