121 Church Membership

Church Membership THIRD YEAR—SUBJECT 14 Church Membership (READ Ephesians 4) 1. Apostles. Acts 1:15-26.

2. Prophets. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13.

3. Evangelists. 1 Timothy 4:6-16.

4. Elders. Acts 14:23; Acts 20:13-28.

5. Deacons. 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

6. Teachers. Acts 13:1 : Php 3:17.

7. Members. 1 Corinthians 12:12-17.

There are two classes of officers in the church. One was for special pur¬poses in the church while on earth, and still hold their original position, just like Christ, the head of the church. As such they have no successors. This class includes apostles and prophets, and their qualifications are stated in Acts 1:15-26; 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. These preachers were inspired, were not only law teachers but law givers, were able to perform miracles. As soon as all truth God designed to be known was revealed, they had served their purposes, and ceased to continue on earth. The other classes are evangelists, who are to continue to preach what the Holy Spirit through the prophets and apostles had revealed. They were to go into all the world and preach the gospel. As they could not abide in one place, elders were ordained to help the work the evangelist had started by taking the oversight of the church. Deacons were added to assist the elders by looking after the widows and the financial interest of the church.

There were other teachers in the church who seemed to have no official work, but were expected to use their different gifts to edify the church, as taught in Romans , 12 th chapter. As to the members, all were members of the same body and members one of another. So they were instructed if one rejoiced, let all rejoice, if one had sorrow, let all weep with him that this church might do the will of God.

It was understood that this church with its elders, deacons, evangelists to work with its members was the only divine society God ordained and’ left on earth to do all Scriptural work. We had no big officers in the early church. There were no human societies to do the work of the Lord, and no hired pastors to entertain the people.

QUESTIONS 1. Who were first set in the church?

2. Next class?

3. Who after them?

4. What is the work of an elder?

5. What is the work of a deacon?

6. What is the work of an evangelist?

7. What are the qualifications of an elder?

8. What are the qualifications of a deacon?

9. How must all members live?

10. When the local church has trouble, what power above the church must she appeal to for settlement?

11. Who supported the evangelists when sent out?

12. What board or society sent Paul and Barnabas out to preach?