Note:
To begin reading this book...
scroll down past this chapter...
to the first page of the book
which will follow after a brief
personal message.
"The thief cometh not,
but for to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy:
I am come
that they might have life,
and
that they might have it
more abundantly."
Jesus Christ - John 10:10
The thief comes to take away all that is valuable ... to destroy life and all that is good.
But Jesus came to abundantly give life ... to provide all that is good and beneficial
... with the primary purpose of infusing us with abundant life through the power and wisdom of His Word.
The life He desires to impart was not limited to eternal life ... but includes our earthly life as well ... maintaining life in the whole person:
... spirit ... body ... mind ... and emotions
... while at the same time ... we can see Jesus ... in John 3 ... speaking to Nicodemus verifying the existence of two dimensions ... spiritual and physical
... and finding the Apostle Paul also writing in the New Testament ... (1 Timothy) ... addressing this topic ... honoring Jesus' desire to value life ... providing abundant life
(1) through our relationship with Him
... and ...
(2) by calling the members of His Body to minister to the needs of others.
After focusing on the spiritual dimension ... the next logical step ... is to view Jesus' spiritual body of believers in the physical realm
... assembling His people ... those redeemed by His Blood ... into one worldwide body ... physically on earth ... those who would come to be known ... not by denomination ... but wherever located ... simply as
... "the Church."
So our Heavenly Father begins building His earthly Church ... a physical assembly that does not require a physical building
... designing it for the purpose of manifesting His loving care and intended abundant life ... first of all ... to benefit His spiritual Body of believers presently dwelling physically on earth
... as well as commissioning His Church to reach a lost and dying world with His Gospel of salvation
... in this way ... addressing both physical ... as well as spiritual needs by equipping ... and ... assigning His Church for specific positions of ministry
... by first calling:
... Bishops ...
1
"This is a true saying,
"This is a true saying,
If a man desire
the office of a bishop,
he desireth a good work.
The office of bishop exemplified ... this genuinely humble responsibility ... in the truest sense.
Today references to the position of bishop can call up images of pompous religious authority in expensive flowing robes.
But in the original Greek language ... the office of "bishop" [G1984] ... the Apostle Paul describes in His letter to Timothy ... was one of humble service
... lovingly caring for the spiritual ... as well as ... the lowly hands-on physical needs of the flock ... as a visitor for the purpose of determining if any assistance was needed ... especially in the case of the poor and sick.
This help could involve spiritual encouragement
... as well as hands-on physical care
... requiring a great amount of wisdom regarding both spiritual matters ... as well as the specific type of physical nurturing required for bodily restoration
... because all healing in the Church ... like today ... was not instantaneous
... but more often involved a spiritual ... as well as physical process that could reveal some very important spiritual insights ... as well as physical benefits
(which will be addressed in greater detail in further chapters)
... benefits such as found in the example provided in the parable of the good Samaritan ... who knew exactly what was required to rescue ... restore ... and rebuild a human life ... and obediently ministered to those needs in very specific ways.
Therefore ... this position of bishop required a very godly ... humble ... compassionate ... and wise man.
2
A bishop then
must be blameless,
the husband of one wife,
vigilant, sober,
of good behaviour,
given to hospitality,
apt to teach;
Verse 2 ... begins the list of God's requirements that must be met ... if a man desired to serve God in this unique manner
... he must be highly qualified ... effectively able to share the love of Christ by physically ministering to fellow believers in need of physical restoration ... in addition to providing spiritual encouragement.
3
Not given to wine,
Not given to wine,
no striker,
not greedy of filthy lucre;
but patient, not a brawler,
not covetous;
The use of wine and strong drink has no place in the life of one who desires a position in the Church of Jesus Christ
... for we are told in Proverbs 31 that wine works against developing vital wisdom required by one in authority ... especially those sitting in positions that carry the heavy responsibility of making decisions affecting the lives of others
... modern science now also verifying that alcohol (as well as any other type of drug) is able to affect the brain ... impairing judgment ... even days after ingestion.
Neither should a man be considered for ministry if he makes decisions based on how financially profitable the decision will be ... instead of how valuable our Creator considers every human life to be.
Likewise the position of bishop requires one who is loving ... patient ... and generous with his time and resources.
Therefore ... even the way his own home functions ... should be considered:
4
One that ruleth well
his own house,
having his children
in subjection with all gravity;
5
(For if a man know not how
(For if a man know not how
to rule his own house,
how shall he take care of
the church of God?)
6
Not a novice,
Not a novice,
lest being lifted up with pride
he fall into the condemnation
of the devil.
Bishops require the wisdom of the Word of God as it has been applied to life experiences ... it is not a position for "beginners" or new converts
... and would be a shameful thing to give such a demanding position to someone whose years on earth are less than ... the years some brethren have been Christians.
7
Moreover he must have
Moreover he must have
a good report of them
which are without;
lest he fall into reproach
and the snare of the devil.
- 1 Tim. 3:1-7
- 1 Tim. 3:1-7
Furthermore ... a bishop must have a history of living a godly life before unbelievers ... giving no reason to be disrespected because of sin or hypocrisy in his life.
This does not mean that a bishop will be liked by all people.
On the contrary ... "all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
(2 Tim.3:12)
... Deacons ...
8
"Likewise must the deacons
be grave, not doubletongued,
not given to much wine,
not greedy of filthy lucre;
9
9
Holding the mystery
of the faith
in a pure conscience."
-1 Tim.3:8
Deacons are also called by God as servants, intercessors, and ministers to His people.
According to this passage in the Greek ... it is the responsibility of deacons to prepare and serve food in addition to physically nurturing the sick.
The office of Bishop ... as well as the office of deacon had to be similarly qualified ... with the outstanding character required for this important responsibility.
9
"Holding the mystery
of the faith
in a pure conscience.
10
And let these also
first be proved;
then let them use
the office of a deacon,
being found blameless.
11
11
Even so must their wives
be grave, not slanderers,
sober, faithful in all things.
12
12
Let the deacons be
the husbands of one wife,
ruling their children
and
their own houses well.
13
13
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.
-1 Tim.3:9-13
-1 Tim.3:9-13
The Church labored over the task of calling deacons. This office required a righteous life and pure conscience toward God ... and others.
Deacons were the keepers of the "mystery of the faith" (v.9) ... as it was originally revealed in the Word of God ... therefore it was necessary to be tested and found blameless.
Those holding offices in the Church must be honorable ... single-minded ... without split allegance
... committed to the preeminence of Jesus Christ ... and the Word of God ... in all things
... without worldly entanglements that would split complete dedication to the Lordship of Christ's exclusive Authority and the position to which they have been called
... residing "in the world" ... but not controlled by the world ... "not of the world" ... but serving Christ so He ... alone ... receives all the glory ... a glory that is not confused or defused ... by worldly associations.
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."
(2 Pet. 2:20)
(2 Pet. 2:20)
"entangled"
[G1707]
= in weave .. (be woven into)
= be involved in
"Render therefore to all
their dues:
tribute to whom
tribute is due;
custom to whom custom;
fear to whom fear;
honour to whom honour."
-Rom.13:7
Ultimate "fear" and "honor" ... belong only to the Highest Authority ... the One who holds the keys to life and death ... and hell
... providing much to consider ... regarding man's methods of attempting to heal today ... which in the past ... included an oath promising to "first do no harm."
... Elders ...
The position of "Elder" was not considered another office held in the Church.
In the early Church "Elder" [Greek #4245] referred to exactly that ... one who was older and therefore wiser and more experienced in addressing spiritual ... as well as ... physical illness.
An Elder could be a bishop or deacon ... however ... a bishop or deacon could not always be considered an Elder
... unless he was a spiritually ... well-educated ... and an experienced older person.
No doubt the Apostle Luke ... writer of the Gospel of Luke ... also functioned in the early Church as an elder because he was referred to as ... "beloved physician" ... indicating that his personal ministry to the Church ... also included hands-on ... and perhaps instruction ... in physical care.
The next logical question is:
"Where are the 'beloved physicians' in the church today?"
If we are able to find any physicians ministering in the church today ... another question we could ask is:
"Are they practicing God's method of healing or the world's method?
... and ...
"Does the term ... 'physician' ... describe their God-given calling... or ... their secular job?
The early Church specifically followed Christ's will and example regarding the priorities of ministry ... therefore both preaching the Gospel ... as well as healing the sick were ... and are to be ... integral functions of the Church today.
Next Chapter ...
"The Gift of
Spiritual and Physical
Healing
in the Church Today."
* * * * *
To receive assurance of salvation:
● Scroll to the top of this page
● Click on the gift wrapped in gold
in the left column
● ...and follow the directions with a
sincere heart.
♡♡♡
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