with Elder Elico Manenji
✝️In this chapter, the Apostle Paul gives instructions pertaining Church governance since during the New Testament churches were independent of each other but were ruled by Elders and deacons.
Elders (Greek - presbuteroi) were also known as shepherds, overseers, guardians, leaders and bishops and deacons (Greek - diakonos) was the common words for servant or minister.
Deacons served the Church institutional needs and Elders served the Church spiritual needs and shepherding of the flock of God.
Elders were also Bishops(episkopoi) meaning guardians and shepherds over the flock.
Their responsibility was to lead, rule, guide, teach and care for the church.
1️⃣1 Timothy 3:1-7:The qualifications of an Elder or Overseer.
⏹️The office of an Elders, Bishop, Overseer and gospel minister desired from right principles is a good work. The ministers of the gospel work for God in carrying out the grand scheme of salvation of the world.
The Apostle Peter says, "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" (1 Peter 5:2).
⏭️ Ministers work for Jesus Christ the one who gave to them their commission and assigned them their work. Their success depends not entirely on their ability but in Christ enabling them for the mission.
The ministers of the gospel work for the souls of men, they are not the masters of the people but to do good for mankind is the great purpose of their office as they are workers together with God.
The Apostle Peter says, that ministers should be, "As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God" (1 Peter 2:16).
⏹️A minister, elder or bishop of religion should be blameless, perfect, a person to whom there should be no charge of immorality, or teaching, holding false doctrine.
The Apostle says, "That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the middle of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15).
⏭️The minister should be husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, that is a person of sound mind, one who is of good behavior, that is not rough and of boorish manners.
The prophet Malachi says, "And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And why one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth"(Malachi 2:15).
⏭️The minister should be hospitable, able to teach or have ability to communicate the word of truth to others for a person who would teach others must keep in advance of them on the subjects on which he would instruct them.
The minister should not be given to wine, not greedy or covetous, not a novice or a new convert and be able to rule over their own household.
The Scriptures say, "Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28).
2️⃣1 Timothy 3:8-13: The qualifications of deacons or servants.
⏹️Deacons also should be serious and of sober mind, not double - tongued, or deceitful, speaking one thing and meaning another.
The Apostle Peter says, "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not" (2 Peter 2:3).
⏫ They should not be greedy, shall not be a drunkard, but one who holds the mystery of faith, have a pure conscience, they should be proved and tested persons, temperate, trustworthy people who are sound in the faith and who would not dishonor the office.
The wiseman says, "He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live" (Proverbs 15:27).
Speaking of greedy ministers the prophet said, "Yes, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter" (Isaiah 56:11).
⏹️Their wives be submissive and be examples to others if charity, they should have some superintendence over the younger females of the church, not slanderers or false accusers.
The Psalmist says, "Whoever privately slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that has an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer"(Psalm.101:5).
3️⃣1 Timothy 3:14-16:The mystery of Godliness.
⏹️The church of God is not like a heathen temple occupied by some lifeless gods or idols, but it is the dwelling place of the living God and the upholder of his truth of His Word.
The Psalmist says, " Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psalm 85:10).
⏫Despite the greatness of God and His salvation, some have abandoned their faith although they may claim to be following the true teaching of God yet they will be following the deceitful teaching of evil spirits.
The Apostle says, "Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1Timothy 4:1).
⏭️ The church is instructed to teach the right moral behaviour which is the natural outcome of true faith.
But blasphemers have their consciences seared with a hot iron and are dead as they live according to will of the sinful flesh.
Jesus said, "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things do you" (Mark 7:13).
🅰️Appeal
Those who are employed in the house of God must see to it that they behave themselves well, they should not be lovers of money, but lovers of the souls entrusted in their care.
They should not bring reproach upon the house of God and that worthy name by which they are called and to look not only to their praying and preaching, but also to their behaviour. Their office binds them to their good behaviour, for any unbecoming behaviour will not do or commend them to God.
The Apostle John says, "And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life" (1John 5:20). Amen!!!
Elico Manenji
('263712952704).
No comments:
Write comments