OVERSEERS AND THEIR DUTIES. chapter 1)

Introduction:
No church can function without designated leaders.As Ac14:23 indicates,certain individuals were appointed to the office of elder or overseer by Paul and Barnabas,spirit filled missionaries who sought god's will through prayer and fasting in accordance with the spiritual qualifications,which were later set down by the Holy Spirit in 1T3:1-7;Tit1:5-9(see post on" MORAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR OVERSEERS").So therefore it is the Spirit who makes someone an overseer of the church.Paul's final address to the Ephesian elders(Ac20:18-35) is a classic passage giving scriptural principles on how to function as an overseer within the visible church.Their task is not unlike that of the OT Prophets. 

AC20:28  "28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,which he bought with his own blood."

A SHEPHERD WITH HIS FLOCKS

A) Promoting the faith of  JESUS in the life of the believers:

1) One of the Major duties of overseers is to feed the sheep by teaching God's word.They must always keep in mind that the flock given to them is no other  than the people that GOD has purchased for him self with his son's precious blood.(Ac20:28;1Co6:20;1Pe1:19;2:9;Rev5:9).

2) In Ac20:19-27,Paul describes how he sered as a shepherd if the church in Ephesus: he has declared the whole will of GOD by faithfully warning and teaching the Ephesian Christians(Ac20:27).Consequently he is able to say "I am innocent of the blood of all men"  (meaning if any should die spiritually and be lost forever,Paul  would not be to blame because he was faithful in testifying about Christ).Overseers today must likewise declare to their churches God's whole will.They must "preach the word... correct,rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction".(2Ti4:2),and refuse to be preachers who seek to please  people and say only what they want to hear(2Ti4:3).

JESUS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD.

MORAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR OVERSEERS.

OVERSEERS:

"moral:of, relating to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conductor the distinction between right and wrong; ethical:

moral attitudes.

2.

expressing or conveying truths or counsel as to right conduct, as aspeaker or a literary work.

3.

founded on the fundamental principles of right conduct rather than onlegalities, enactment, or custom:

moral obligations.

4.

capable of conforming to the rules of right conduct:

a moral being.

5.

conforming to the rules of right conduct (opposed to immoral ):

a moral man.

6.

virtuous in sexual matters; chaste.

7.

of, relating to, or acting on the mind, feelings, will, or character:

moral support."

1Ti3:1-2:  "1Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ....     "                      


Introduction: What is an "overseer"   Gk word "Episkopos"  (that  is one who has pastoral  oversight,a pastor).If anyone desires to be an "overseers" that  person should know he  or she desires an important work(1Ti3:1).Such individuals  must have that desire confirmed by god's word(1Ti3:1-10;4:12) and the church(1Ti3:10),the desire to do the work of a pastor must be tested by the members  of the church according to biblical standards of 1Ti3:1-13;4:12;Tit1:5-9(see post on THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH).The church    must not endorse any person as overseer based solely on desire,education,burden, or alleged vision or call.The church today has no right to diminish the requirements that GOD has set forth by the holy spirit.Those requirement stand as absolutes and must be followed for the sake of God's name,his kingdom and the credibility of the high office of overseer.
GOD has establish for the church certain specific qualifications:

MORAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR OVERSEERS.

1) Standard listed for overseers:

• Are primarily character issues,moral and spiritual.Character supercedes gifting in God's value system.The proven character  of those who seek leadership in the church is more important than personality,preaching gifts,administrative abilities or academic accomplishment.The main point of the qualifications falls on behavior that has persevered in godly wisdom,right choices and personal holiness.The spiritual history of the person who desires the office of overseer has to"first be tested"(1Ti3:10).The holy spirit sets forth a high standard,the candidate must be a believer who has steadfastly adhered to JESUS CHRIST and his principles of righteousness,and who can therefore serve as a role model of faithfulness,truth,honesty and purity in other words,one's character must reflect Christ's teaching in (Mt25:21),where being faithful with a few thing"leads to the position of being in charge of many things"   

2) Overseers must set an example:

• Above all ,christian leaders must "set an example for the believers"(1Th4:12;1Pe5:3).Their christian life and steadfast faith must be evident to the congregation as preeminently worthy of imitation.
• Overseers must demonstrate the highest example of perseverance in godliness,faithfulness,purity in the face of temptation,and loyalty to and love for Christ and the gospel(1Ti4:12,15).
• God's people must learn christian ethics and true godliness not only from the word of GOD  but also from the example of pastors whose quality of life is an illustration of God's grace and faith are absolutely essential in god's plan for christian leadership.To disregard the principle of godly leadership is to ignore scripture's clear teaching.Pastors must be people whose faithfulness to Christ can be set forth as a pattern of example for members of the body of Christ to emulate(1Co11:1;Php3:17,1Th1:6;2Th3:7;2Ti1:13).

3) Overseers family life:

• The Holy spirit regards the believer's servant hood and humility as leaders in home marriage and family relationships as of highest importance(1Ti3:2,4-5,Tit1:6).The overseer must be an example to the family of GOD  especially in his faithfulness to his wife and children after all ,if he has failed in this realm,"how  can he take care God's church?"(1Th3:5).He must be "the husband of but one wife"(1Th3:2).The phrase defends the position that  a candidate for the office of an over should be a  believer who has remained morally faithful to his wife.The literal translation of the (greek:mias guniakos,an attributive genitive)is "a one - woman man" that is the faithful husband of his wife,notice also  that the expression has a female counterpart,"faithful to her husband".Which appears in Paul's  discussion of widows(1Ti5:9).It is also noteworthy that the Latin equivalent of this phrase (Univera) occurs on many cemetery inscriptions from Italy and North Africa.Those inscription make clear that lifetime fidelity was considered an important virtue even among pagans of roman world.It should not be surprising therefore,that the church overseer must be a person who gives evidence of being faithful in this all important  area.Persevering moral faithfulness to one's wife and family is required for anyone desiring to be a righteous leader in the church. 

4) Overseers and Sin:

• Consequently, persons within the church who become guilty of serious sin or moral transgressions disqualify themselves from the office of pastor or deacon in the local church(1Ti3:8-12).Such individuals may be abundantly pardoned by god's grace, but they can no longer model unfailing perseverance in faith,love,purity and sound doctrine;they fail to model the love that Christ has for his church(1Ti4:11-16;Tit1:9).Already in the OT GOD had made it clear that the leaders among god's people were expected to maintain high moral and spiritual standards;if they did not,others would replace them (Ge49:4;lev10:2;Lev21:7,17;Nu20:12;1Sa2:23;Jer23:14;Jer29:23).
• Furthermore the principle from 1Ti3:2,7 that an overseer"must be above reproach" "and must  also have a good reputation" raises questions about a "fallen" leader being restored to his former position of leadership.<Genuine forgiveness does not necessarily imply restoration to leadership>.  (an American theologian Kenneth Kantzer)

6) Overseers and forgiveness:

• GOD  does indeed forgive any sin listed in (1Ti3:2,7) or elsewhere in the scripture if there is godly sorrow and repentance for that sin.Let it be clear that such a person  may be mercifully forgiven and restored in his relationship to GOD and the church.However ,isn't it also true to scripture  and experience that there are some sins,such as adultery;whose devastating effects never go away entirely and thus lingered on for the individual,even after forgiveness,both within and outside the  church? in such cases,can the "fallen leader be above reproach" as a righteous example to the body of Christ or officially lead again with righteous integrity or "a good reputation"?.This crucial issue must be honestly and carefully weighed when considering restoring a fallen leader to ministry.
• What about king David? wasn't he permitted by GOD to continue as Israel's king in spite of his sins of adultery  and murder(2Sa11:1-21;12:9-15)?.Can this be viewed even as biblical justification for one's continuance as an overseer even though he or she has violated the above- mentioned standards? the following facts reveal this comparison to be faulty on several counts.
• a)The office of the king of Israel under  the old covenant and that of spiritual overseer of the church of JESUS  CHRIST under the new covenant are  two entirely different roles with different qualifications.GOD allowed not only David but  also many kings who were exceptionally wicked to remain as kings of Israel.Leadership of Christ's church that was purchased with his blood requires much higher spiritual standards.
• b)According to god's Revelation and requirements in the NT,David would not have qualified for the office of an overseer in a NT church.He had multiple wives,was guilty of marital unfaithfulness,failed miserably yo manage his own household, and was a murderer and a violent man of bloodshed note too that because of his sin,David remained  under god's chastisement for the rest of his life(2Sa12:9-12).

7)Overseers and churches today:

Today's churches must not turn from the righteous requirements for an overseer set forth by GOD in the original revelation of the apostles.The church must continue to require from  its leaders the highest standered of holiness,perseverance in faithfulness to GOD and his word,and godly living.They are to be earnestly prayed for,encouraged and supported ,while they "set  an example for the believers in speech,in life, in love,in faith and in purity".(1Ti4:12).

DEAR READERS:
Once again have you seen what    OUR SPIRIT&LIFE  is all about,how the spirit is so associated to life,and how the life of an overseer must be if he is spiritually called(or desire to be called) to that office of an overseer.Meaning GOD has established a spiritual covenant with that overseer so therefore the spiritual covenant must manifest in the life of the overseer,making him or her to live amoral life.Knowing that the SPIRIT&LIFE belongs  to the most high  GOD.
Beloved readers: What other moral qualifications can  an  overseer posses for the Christian church of today.Pls share your spiritual knowledge with me.

THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 5)

TEACHERS:

BIBLE TEACHING

NT  Teachers were gifted spiritually leaders along side apostles and prophets, who had a special, GOD given gift to clarify, expound and proclaim god's word with effectiveness and power in order to build up the body of Christ(1Co12:28;Eph4:12).



1) The special task of teachers is to guard, by the Holy Spirit's help, the gospel entrusted to them(2Ti1:11-14)they are faithfully to point the church to biblical revelation and to the original message of Christ and the apostle, and to help equip the saints for "works of service"(Eph4:12).

2) The principle purpose of biblical teaching is to preserve truth and to produce holiness in god's people by leading Christ's body into an uncompromising commitment to the godly lifestyle set forth in god's word.Scripture stats that the goal of christian instruction is "Love,evidence of christian learning is not just in what one knows,but how one lives,that is the manifestation of  love,purity,faith and godliness."

3) Teachers are essential to God's purpose for his church.The church that rejects or refuses to hear those teachers and theologians who remain faithful to scriptural revelation will stop being concerned about the  genuineness of the biblical message and the correct interpretation of the original teaching of Christ and the apostles.The church in which such teachers and theologians remain silent will not continue steadfast in the truth.New winds of doctrine will be uncritically accepted, and religious experience and human ideas,rather than revealed truth,will be the ultimate guide to the church's doctrine,standards and practice,on the other hand,the church that listen to godly teachers and theologians will have its teaching,and practices measured by the fundamental testimony of the gospel,its false ideas exposed and the purity of Christ's original message handed down to its children.God's inspired word will become the test of all teaching,and the church will be reminded that the spirit's inspired word is ultimate truth and authority, and as such stands over the churches and their institutions. 

Dear readers:
what else can you say about the duty of a bible teachers or a theologians.

THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 4)

PASTORS:

Pastors are those individuals whose calling and ministry gifts cause them to devote themselves to shepherd,oversee and care for the spiritual needs of a local congregation.In the NT they are also called "elders"(Ac20:17;Tit1:5)and "overseers"(1Ti3:1;Tit1:7).

PASTOR PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD.

1) The task of pastors is to help believers grow up in to Christ the head(Eph4:15-16) by teaching god's word and exercising spiritual leadership in the local church(1Th5:12;1Ti3:1-3); be an example of purity and sound doctrine(Tit2:7-8);and see to it that all  believers remain in god's grace(Heb12:15;13:17;1Pe5:2).Their task described in Ac20:28-31 as safeguarding apostolic truth god's flock by watching out for false doctrine and false teachers within the church.Pastor function as shepherd of which JESUS as the good shepherd is a model(Jn10:11-16;1Pe2:25;5:2-4).

2) The NT pattern shows a plurality of pastors directing the spiritual life of a local church(Ac20:28;php1:1).Pastors were chosen,not through politics,but through the spirit's wisdom given to the body as it examined the candidate's spiritual 
qualifications.

PASTOR PRAYING FOR THE CONGREGATION.

3) Pastor are essential to god's purpose fro his church.The church that fails to select godly and faithful pastors will cease to be governed according  to the mind of the spirit(1Ti3:1-7).It will be a church left open to the destructive  forces of Satan and the world(Ac20:28-31).The preaching of the word will be distorted and the standards of the gospel lost(2Ti1:13-14).Members and families of the church will not be cared for according to god's purpose(1Ti4:6,12-16;6:20-21).Many will turn away from the truth and turn aside to myths(2Ti4:4).On the other hand,if godly Pastors are appointed,believers  will be nourished on the words of faith and sound doctrine and disciplined for the purpose of godliness(1Ti4:6-7),the church will be taught to persevere in the teaching of Christ and the apostles and thus ensure salvation for itself and those who hear(1Ti4:16;2Ti2:2).

JESUS  ONE AND UNIQUE SHEPHERD OF THE CHRISTIAN KINGDOM.

Dear Readers:

Please do share your knowledge with me in the work of a  pastor.Thank you,and GOD bless.

THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 3)

EVANGELISTS:

In the  NT , Evangelist were those GOD-called individuals who like Philip in Acts8,were especially gifted,anointed and commissioned to proclaim the gospel(GOOD NEWS) of Christ and his kingdom to cities and unsaved individuals so as to awaken faith(Ac8:4-40).When proclaimed,the gospel always carries with it the offer and power of salvation(Ro1:16-17).

I)The ministry of   Philip "the Evangelist"(Ac21:8) gives a clear picture of the work of an Evangelist according to the NT pattern.

• Philip preached the gospel of Christ(Ac8:4-5,35).
• Many were saved and baptized with water(Ac8:6,12).
• Singes,miracles,healings and deliverances from evil spirits accompanied his preaching(Ac8:6-7,13).
• He wanted new convert to be filled with  the Holy Spirit(Ac8:12-17;2:38;19:1-6).

II) The evangelist is essential to God's purpose for the church.The church that fails to support the ministry of the evangelist and maintains an earnest love for the lost will proclaim the message of salvation with convicting and saving power(Ac2:14-41).

EVANGELISTS

THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 2)

PROPHETS:

Prophets in the NT were those Spiritual leaders who were uniquely gifted in receiving and communicating direct revelation from GOD by the holy spirit.One of their main concerns was  the spiritual life and  purity of the church under the new covenant they were raised up and empowered by the Holy spirit to bring a message from GOD to his people(Ac2:17).

APOSTLES PETER AND JOHN HEALS A LAME MAN.

I)  OT prophets are foundational for understanding the prophetic ministry in the early church.Their primary task was to speak a word of GOD by the spirit in order to encourage God's people to remain faithful to their covenant relationship.They also, at times,predicted the future as the spirit revealed it to them.Christ and the apostles serve as examples of the OT ideal(Ac3:22-23;13:1-2)

II) Prophets functioned within the NT church in the following ways:

1.  They are spirit filled proclaimers of the word of GOD, called by GOD to warn, exhort, comfort and edify(Ac2:14-36;3:12-26;1Co12:10;14:3)
2.  They are to exercise the gift of prophecy(see post on 'SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR BELIEVERS').
3.  They were at times seers(1Ch29:29)who foretold the future(Ac11:28;21:10-11).
4. Like the OT prophets,the NT prophets were called to expose sin,proclaim righteousness, warn of judgement to come,and combat worldliness and lukewarmness among God's people(Lk1:14-17).Because of their message of righteousness,prophets and their ministry can expect rejection by many in the churches during times of lukewarmness and apostasy.

III) The prophets' character,burden,desire and ability include:

1.  A zeal for church purity(Jn17:15-17;1Co6:9-11;Gal5:22-25).
2. A deep sensitivity to evil and the capacity to identify unrighteousness(Ro12:9;Heb1:9).
3. A keen understanding of the danger of false teachings(Mt7:15,24;Gal1:9;2Co11:12-15).
4. An inherent dependence on God's word to validate the prophet's message(Lk4:17-19;1Co15:3-4;2Ti3:16).
5. A concern for the spiritual success of GOD 's feelings(Mt21:11-13;23:37;Lk13:34;Jn2:14-17;Ac20:27-31).

IV) The NT prophets' messages and prophecy were not to be regarded as infallible.Their prophecy  was subject to the evaluation of the church,other prophets and God's word.The congregation was required to discern and test whether their witness is from GOD(1Co14:29-33;1Jn4:1).

V) Prophets continue to be essential to God's purpose for the  church.A church that rejects God's prophets will decline in spiritual discernment and drift towards worldliness and the  compromise of Biblical truth(1Co14/3;Mt23:31-32;Lk11:49;Ac7:51-52).If  prophets are not allowed to bring words of rebuke and warning,as well as encouragement,words prompted by the spirit,words exposing sin and unrighteousness(Jn16:8-11), as well as comfort,then the church will become a place of  where the voice of the spirit is stifled or muted.Ecclesiastical politics and worldly power Will replace the spirit(2Ti3:1-9;4:3-5;2Pe2:1-3,12-22).On the other hand,if the church, with its leaders,hears the voice of the prophets, it will be moved to renewed life and fellowship with Christ,sin will be forsaken,and the spirits presence will be evident among the faithful(1Co14:3;1Th5:19-21;Rev3:20-22). 
 

Prophet AMOS.

THE SLAUGHTER  OF BAALS PROPHETS BY PROPHET ELIJAH.

DEAR READERS:

Please do share your spiritual knowledge with me about  the offfice of a prophet of GOD.

THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 1)

Eph4: 8This is why itsays:“When he ascended on high,

he took many captives

and gave gifts to his people.”.....

11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ...

THE  GIVER:
list  the ascension gifts of Christ ( Eph 4:8,10).Which are the  gifted ministers of GOD(called"Spiritual leaders") whom Christ has given to his church subsequent to his ascension.Paul states that Christ gave those gifts.
1) For preparing God's people for works of service (Eph4:12).
2)For the spiritual growth of the body of Christ as GOD intended (Eph4:13-16).

THE 12  APOSTLES of JESUS.

THE APOSTLE:  The word "Apostle"  is applied to certain leaders in the NT.The  noun apostolos, derived from the verb "Apostello " "to send" generally refers to individuals specifically "called commissioned" and  given authority by the lord JESUS Christ to be his representatives in proclaiming the gospel and establishing the church.

• The title is used of JESUS himself(Heb 3:1).
• The twelve disciples(Mt10:2).
• Paul(Ro1:1;2Co1:1;Gal1:1).
• And others(Ac14:4,14;Ro16:7;Gal1:19;2:8-9;1Th2:6-7). 

I) APOSTLE IN A UNIQUE SENSE:
a) The term "Apostle" is used in a very special  sense to .identify those qualified to bear spirit- inspired witness to Christ.These are the men JESUS personally called and commissioned to be leaders for the sake of his church.The twelve are a unique company  whose names will be inscribed to the twelve foundation stones of the new Jerusalem(Rev21:14).

b) Still other apostles are mentioned in the NT who possessed special authority within the church,such as: 

• Paul(Gal1:19;2:7-8;1Co15:9).
• Barnabas(Ac 14:4,14).
• James the half brother of JESUS(Gal1:19;2:9;1Co15:7).
• It is not clear whether Silas(1Th1:1;2:1,6-7),Andronicus and Junias(Ro16:7) or others belonged  in this  level of apostleship.

Apostle in the first century were mentored by JESUS, were closely associated with eye witness(Ac1:21-22) or had a personal post resurrection encounter with JESUS(1Co15:7-9).The uniqueness of some first century apostle lay in their calling to write Scriptures, the NT Scriptures being recognized as the same authority as the OT Scriptures (2Pe3:16).

II)  APOSTLE IN A GENERAL SENSE:

a) The term "Apostle" was used in the NT in a non-technical general sense to identify commissioned representatives of a church,such as a messenger appointed and sent as a missionary or for some other special responsibility(Ro16:7;2Co8:23;Php2:25).
Apostle in this general sense remain essential to fulfilling God's purpose in the church.If the church ceases to have spirit-filled apostolic leaders who point the way in spreading the gospel to the world,it's spiritual and numerical growth will be stunted.On the other hand as long as the church recognizes Christ's gifts and callings by releasing such leaders as church planters at home and for the nations,the church will fulfill it's mission and remain faithful to the lord's Great Commission.

commissioned representatives of a church.

III) A very important distinction in the use of the term "APOSTLES":
a) Some of the original first century Apostles were uniquely commissioned to write Scripture,and therefore must be carefully distinguished from all Christian leaders who have  followed them.The 27 books of  the NT called the "APOSTOLIC DEPOSIT" stand apart from all other christian literature.It safeguards the integrity of christian teaching in all subsequent ages.To reject the inspired revelation of NT apostolic truth is to cease being a church according to the biblical pattern and is to reject  the LORD him self(Jn16:12-15;1Co14,36-38;Gal1:9-11).And on the other hand,to believe the NT Apostolic message,obey it and guard it against all distortion is to remain true to the Holy Spirit(Ac20:28;2Ti1:14)and to guarantee God's continued blessing and presence within the church(see Eph2:20).All theology  experience and practice,and all spiritual manifestation must  be  evaluated in the light of Scripture.

APOSTOLIC DEPOSIT

b) At the same time,it is clear that certain aspects of the NT Apostolic leadership were intended to continue throughout the  history of the church(see Eph4:11-13). To insure that the uniqueness of the first century Apostles and their authority to write scripture are safeguarded,and at the same time encourage the  recognition of the Apostolic ministries in the church today, it may be helpful to use terminology like "Apostolic" leaders or functions rather than "The office of Apostle" at this point in history.In effect, this discourages a misuse of the title of Apostle that often times opens the door to serious abuses,on the other hand, it recognizes the place and importance of apostolic functions and Biblical services associated with pioneer ministries.

c) In connection with( Eph4:11-13), the conjunction "until"  (Eph4 :13) indicates that all  the five fold leadership ministry gifts(including the apostolic ministry) continue to be essential for bringing the corporate body of Christ worldwide to the level of mature fullness in  and for Christ as is described in (Eph4:13). 
                                                                  
                                                       Eph4: 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.





Dear Readers
Do you have any other knowledge about the work of the Apostolic ministry? Pls share your knowledge with me.