What I Would Do Differently
Lesson 3: Church Government—Duties and Support
Review of New Testament passage and arguments did Paul give for pastoral support?
1 Cor 9:7-14 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same?
9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.11-12 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
Paul argues from:
• The Army (vs 7)
• The Vine keepers (vs 7)
• The Shepherd (vs 7)
• The Law of Moses (vs 8-10)
• The Farmer (vs 10)
• The Value of the Spiritual (vs 11)
• The Common Practice (vs 12)
• The Temple (vs 13)
• The Lord’s Command (vs 14)
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Paul did not take money from the Corinthians. Why not? They were too immature (see 1 Cor 3:1,2)
If not, where did Paul get money to live?
2 Cor 11:7-9 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? 8 I robbed [took offerings from]
other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need [Acts 18:5 ESV] . So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
Can you defend the typical music director’s position from the Scripture and give an example of their financial support?
1 Chron 9:33 Now these, the singers, the heads of fathers' houses of the Levites, were in the chambers of the temple free from other service, for they were on duty day and night.
Neh 13:10-12 I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had gone back each to his field.
11 So I confronted the officials and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together and set them in their stations. 12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses. [See also Psalm 134:1]
Ps 134:1-2 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! 2 Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!
What defines a church?
When the Reformers broke with Rome (16th century), all kinds of divergent groups arose.
They had different creeds, different forms of government, different liturgies, and cultures.
Many of them claimed to be a church and some claimed to be the true church. The Roman Catholics taught that, “Wherever the bishop is, there is the church”. How do we know? What are the marks of a true church?
The Reformers of the 16th century said there are three non-negotiables:
A. Where the Faithful Gospel is proclaimed faithfully (Matt 28:18-28) This includes the essentials that undergird the Gospel: The infallibility of Scripture, the deity of Christ, the substitutionary atonement, the bodily resurrection, a final judgment ...
Would a Mormon church be valid? No A Jehovah’s Witness? No
B. Where the sacraments are administered (Baptism and Holy Communion) C. Where church discipline is exercised when needed (1 Cor 5)
This would also require the offices of the church to be in operation
FURTHER REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How would you describe the ministry of the deacon and the process of their selection?
To serve as needed by the church and as directed by the bishops
2. Name the first example of succession in the New Testament. (God to Jesus)
3. Can you name at least one passage where the New Testament gives us direction on the succession of pastoral work? Acts 20
4. Can you give Biblical evidence that the apostles succeeded Christ and that the church of today (with its leadership) succeeds the apostles?
John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
John 17:8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching
5. How do you define ordination Biblically and what is the significance of laying on of hands?
To ordain is to “install” into office. The laying on of hands indicates the transfer or delegation of the same purpose or mission.
6. What is the importance and the role of the resurrection and ascension of Christ in the giving and empowering of modern church leadership? Give the Scripture that supports your understanding.
Eph 4:8-12 When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."
9 ( In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Lesson 4: Church Government—Plurality of Elders