Who Are We?
Biblical Terminology
People are often identified by various titles that reflect their roles and relationships. Individually, the people of God are called believers, children of God, Christians, disciples, members of the church, priests, saints, the chosen or elect, the new creation, the redeemed, the saved, sons (daughters) of God, etc. Similarly, the New Testament uses different terms to describe God’s people, each revealing aspects of their relationships and responsibilities (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:9-12).
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:19-22).
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation (1 Pet. 2:9-12).
The Church of Christ
The term “church” (ekklesia) communicates the concept of being “called out,” and refers to those called out of the world to serve the Lord (John 15:16-19).
You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you (John 15:16-19).
The church is described with various modifiers (e.g., church of Christ, church of God) to distinguish it from human institutions (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; Heb. 12:22-23). The church belongs to Christ: He built it (Matt. 16:16-18); it was purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28).
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you (Rom. 16:16).
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours (1 Cor. 1:2).
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect (Heb. 12:22-23).
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matt. 16:16-18).
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28).
The Kingdom of God
Baptized believers are citizens of the kingdom of heaven (Phil. 3:20-21). Through His redemptive plan, God delivered us from the realm of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, where we enjoy salvation and the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:13-14).
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself (Phil. 3:20-21).
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:13-14).
The church is governed by Christ, who is the absolute monarch (1 Tim. 6:13-16). As loyal and obedient citizens, Christians respect His sovereign will. We must learn it (Col. 1:9-10) and do it (John 7:15-18).
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen (1 Tim. 6:13-16).
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:9-10).
The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated? So Jesus answered them and said, My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him” (John 7:15-18).
Furthermore, the “kingdom” and the “church” are not distinct; they are the same entity (Matt. 16:16-19).
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:16-19).
The Body of Christ
This imagery emphasizes the unity of the church under Christ’s headship (Col. 1:16-18). From a New Testament perspective, there is only one body/church (Eph. 1:22-23; 2:14-16; 4:4-6).
For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything (Col. 1:16-18).
And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Eph. 1:22-23).
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity (Eph. 2:14-16).
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all (Eph. 4:4-6).
Christ controls the activities of each individual member. We must use our talents for the upbuilding of the body (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-26).
For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness (Rom. 12:4-8).
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it (1 Cor. 12:12-26).
The Temple of God
In the Christian age, believers are the temple of God, each being a living stone (Eph. 2:19-22).
Worship and reverence to Jehovah are central activities of the church, and the most significant endeavor in which we can participate (1 Pet. 2:4-5, 9).
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:19-22).
And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:4-5).
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY (1 Pet. 2:9-10).
The Bride of Christ
The imagery of a bride and a groom illustrate Christ’s love for the church (Eph. 5:22-27).
Just as marriage entails a loving and exclusive relationship, the church must submit to Christ as its head. Believers should endeavor to maintain the church’s purity and honorably bear Christ’s name (Acts 4:8-12).
Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless (Eph. 5:22-27).
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. “He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:8-12).
The Household of God
This imagery highlights the familial relationship within the church (Mark 3:32-35; 1 Tim. 3:14-15). God is our Father, Jesus is our elder brother, and Christians are God’s children and siblings to one another (Rom. 8:14-17).”
A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.” Answering them, He said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! “For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:32-35).
I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim. 3:14-15).
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him (Rom. 8:14-17).
The Vineyard of the Lord
The imagery of a vineyard symbolizes the labor involved in Christianity (1 Cor. 15:58). Christians are called to be diligent workers, bearing fruit that brings glory to God (John 15:1-8).
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples (John 15:1-8).
In summary, the New Testament employs various terms to describe the church, each carrying specific demands and responsibilities. Believers should adhere to these scripturally-designated names and avoid humanly-conceived titles.
Biblical Organization
The word “church” is used in two senses in the New Testament. In a universal sense, it identifies all the saved down through the ages (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; etc.). It is made up of those who are obedient to the gospel. The church has no organization in the universal sense, and any attempt to activate/organize the church universal is unscriptural.
Used in a local sense, the church refers to disciples who assemble in local congregations for the sake of spiritual fellowship, work and worship (1 Cor. 1:2; Rev. 1:11; etc.). The local church constitutes the end of God’s plan of organization for his people. Any attempt to form an organization larger than the local church is a departure from the divine pattern. Every activity of the church is to be done through the local congregation.
God has set forth various offices in the church (Eph. 4:11-13; cf. Acts 1:20; 1 Tim. 3:1). Certain functions are historical: apostles and prophets, holding offices of revelation and confirmation, actively served during the infancy of the church. Others fulfill an ongoing need: evangelists, pastors and teachers provide oversight and instruction.
Elders
Terminology
First we must look at the terminology used in the New Testament to describe this office. Three Greek words (translated into six English words) refer to the same office and function (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-7; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
Presbuteros, translated “presbyter” or “elder,” refers to “an old/older man, i.e., one relatively advanced in age.”
Episkopos, translated “bishop” or “overseer,” denotes “a superintendent, guardian, one who has the responsibility of safeguarding or seeing to it that something is done in the correct way.”
Poimēn, translated “pastor” or “shepherd,” refers to “one who acts as a shepherd, tending the sheep, watching out for others.”
Plurality Required
According to the New Testament pattern, a plurality of elders should be found in every church (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Phil. 1:1). Any attempt to ignore this pattern is unscriptural. One man rule , as reflected in the pastor system, is not consistent with divine revelation.
Extent of Oversight
The oversight of elders is limited to the local congregation of which they are members (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). Shepherding must be done directly, not at a distance. The sponsoring church arrangement imposes an unscriptural hierarchy upon the New Testament pattern of local autonomy.
Qualifications
The selection of elders should be carefully guarded. The Lord has provided strict requirements pertaining to their character, reputation, habits, domestic relationships, and experience (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
Duties
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Elders are to Watch (Acts 20:28-32; Titus 1:7-11; Heb. 13:7, 17).
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Elders are to Rule (1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
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Elders are to Work (Acts 20:25-35; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; 1 Thess. 5:12-14; 1 Tim. 3:1).
Darin Henry, Elder
Mark Mayberry, Elder
Deacons
Duties
A deacon holds, not an honorary office, but a position of responsibility and work. The Greek word diakonos, translated “deacon,” refers to “a servant, minister, one who executes the commands of another, one who gets something done, at the behest of a master/superior.”
Deacons are not “junior elders.” Rather, they work under the oversight of the elders, serving the needs of the church, fulfilling a variety of functions. Through delegation of various duties, elders are able to focus upon the spiritual care of the congregation (Acts 6:1-7; Phil. 1:1).
Qualifications
Deacons should exemplify Christianity in their daily lives. The qualifications of deacons differ from those of elders only in terms of maturity and family requirements (1 Tim. 3:8-13; cf. Acts 6:3).
Pat Bradford
Brandon Chiasson
Craig Lawrence
Jake Locklear
Forrest Morris
John Partain
Larry Roskos
Bruce Turner
Evangelists
Duties
The word “evangelist” refers to “one who proclaims good news or brings good tidings.” Gospel preachers reveal the joyous message of salvation. They should not be confused with elders in their work.
Evangelists should faithfully preach the word, exposing error and falsehood, presenting the truth in an accurate and understandable manner (1 Tim. 1:3-4; 4:6-7; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Titus 3:8-11).
Qualifications
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An evangelist should keep himself pure (1 Tim. 5:22). Being careful about his own life and teaching, he serves as an example to those who believe (1 Tim. 4:12-16).
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He should be gentle, apt to teach, patient and forbearing (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
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Nevertheless, he must be uncompromising in his stand for the truth (2 Tim. 3:14-4:5).
Mark Mayberry, Evangelist
Teachers
Duties
Teaching is a very important part of the work of the local congregation. Each of us should prepare ourselves to teach (Heb. 5:12-14; cf. Acts 8:4; Ezra 7:10). There are many opportunities we have in this regard. There are many around us who are lost in sin and need to hear the gospel. Our own children and teenagers must receive instruction and training if they are to remain faithful when they grow up.
Qualifications
We must start with a love for souls and a willingness to make sacrifices in order to teach others. The teacher must set the proper example in his or her own personal life. The teacher must have a good knowledge of the Bible, and a profound respect for the inspired Word of God. He or she should prepare (2 Tim. 2:15), pray (1 Pet. 3:12), be patient (1 Thess. 5:14), and persevere (Gal. 6:9). The teacher should be careful not to expect too much or too little of his students. He should not become discouraged when the class does not fully respond, but should dedicate himself more fully to his task. Teachers should strive to provide a positive class where students will want to learn God’s word.
Active Members
Too often church members feel that elders, deacons, preachers, and teachers do all the work in the local congregation. Such individuals may think there is nothing for them to do. This is not true! Each member is an important part of the body, and can make a valuable contribution to the welfare of the whole. To the extent that any member does not meet his responsibility, the entire body falls short of its God-given mission (1 Cor. 12:12-31; Rom. 12:4-8).
Conclusion
As you can see, God has set various offices in the church. Some Christians may perform special duties, but all must be workers. Let us all, therefore, be active in serving the Lord.