Bible Questions Answered: Leaders Of The Church-How Chosen

Bible Questions Answered:
How were people selected for different posts in the church?
Shelia/ Edinburgh, U.K.

Bible Answers:

Deacons: Greek-Diakonos (Dee-ak-on-os): To run on errands, a waiter (at table or other menial duties), servant.
Greek translations: Abingdon's Strong's Concordance

Acts 6:1-7 NLT
1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.
3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.
4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).
6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

The Apostle Paul, called these chosen men of service, deacons (Phillipians 1:1/ I Timothy 3:8).
They were chosen by spiritually mature believers of the church, and anointed with prayer for service.

The Apostle then went on to speak of other offices within the church.

Ephesians 4:8,11,12 KJV
[8] Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
[11] And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Apostles: Greek-Apostolos (Apos-tol-os): A messenger, he that is sent.
Prophets: Greek-Prophetes (Prof-ay-tace): A foreteller, an inspired speaker.
Evangelists: Greek-Euaggelistes (Yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace): A preacher of the gospel.
Pastors: Greek-Diakonia (Dee-ak-on-ee-ah): Servant, teacher, minister, office service.
Teachers: Greek-Didasko (Did-as-ko): To teach.

Ephesians 4:11,12 NLT
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.
12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

These servants within the church of the Lord Jesus Christ are “Called, of God., and the gifts of God.”

I Corinthians 12:27-31 KJV
[27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
[28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
[29] Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
[30] Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
[31] But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

I Corinthians 12:27-31 NLT
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:

first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others, (helps KJV)
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.

29
Are we all apostles?
Are we all prophets?
Are we all teachers?
Do we all have the power to do miracles?

30
Do we all have the gift of healing?
Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages?
Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages?
Of course not!

31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

Paul's answer to the best way...it is the way of Godly service through a humble heart of love.

I Corinthians 13:1-13 KJV
[1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
[2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
[3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
[4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
[5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
[6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
[7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
[13] And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

The Chief Corner Stone of the church is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 21:14 KJV
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Ephesians 2:19-22 KJV
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;
[21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
[22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Isaiah 28:16 KJV
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Deuteronomy 32:3,4 KJV
[3]"...I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
[4] He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He."

The foundation of the church is Christ, and His Apostles (His Apostles, because they proclaimed His word.)

We have only chosen here to view the choosing and calling of the servants of the Lord, that they were holy men, pledged to serve the living God, is another subject.