What Offices Were Authorized In The First Century Church?
Posted: Monday, January 30, 2012
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
The organization of the first century church of Jesus Christ was pure and simple in it’s beginning. It was understood well by the early Christians.
God always, from the beginning of time, had leaders who helped guide the people with his wishes. Actually, from the first couple and their family, he only had the Patriarchs with whom he normally dealt, unless it was necessary for himself to intervene in some situation which would assure that his purpose was continuing. Details of his methods of earthly contact with mankind are scarce with the exception of those cases where they were pertinent for our learning. But we do know that, in addition to his patriarchal dealings, he also had priests after the population grew heavy. Beside priests, after his law was given through to the Israelites Moses, he added judges, kings and prophets to proclaim and help enforce his laws.
But God’s eternal purpose, planned from before the creation, included a final period of time when his son, Jesus, would create his kingdom, his church, which would separate the wheat from the chaff and it would be an eternal kingdom. As long as the earth remains, Jesus is and will remain it’s king, it’s imperial ruler. This position was determined before the creation and was placed on his shoulders when he arose from the grave. Here is what he told the then eleven apostles:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:18-20 KJV)
And the last phrase in the quote: “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world”. is also very meaningful. At the end of the world, the church shall not end, but will be given back to the father and there we shall forever be with the Lord:
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:20-26 KJV emphasis added JHH)
So, what was the local congregational government when the church was created? On the day it began, it only had the twelve apostles who were given full understanding of the nature of the church and brought back to their memory all things which Jesus had taught them. The Holy Ghost ascended upon them and filled them as Jesus had promised them before he ascended. This comforter was to guide them into all truths and bring to their remembrance all things whatsoever Jesus had taught them.
They were the only ones at that moment who were authorized to teach and carry out Jesus’ orders. But as the various souls who were baptized into Christ and an apostle laid his hands upon them, they were given some specific spiritual gift, as chosen by God.
Now, here the names are listed as to what many of the gifts were:
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. (1Corinthians 12:28 KJV)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11 KJV)
None of these spiritual gifts included the gift each of the original 11 apostles and later, Paul, had received of being able to lay hands on another person and instill a spiritual gift, of God’s choosing, to him.
Only few of these gifts were to become the offices in each autonomous congregation of the Lord’s kingdom. The term pastor used above is now widely used incorrectly as a preacher of a congregation in some denominations. However, in the New Testament, it refers to an office which is called several other names in the scriptures, such as elder, shepherd, bishop, presbyter and pastor. These men, whose qualifications are spelled out in detail in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-16 were to have the oversight of the particular congregation. They were to lead the flock and see that they had truth being taught to them.
We learn from Paul that he instructed Titus to appoint elders in every city. (Each city in that day had a singular congregation). Also, in every occasion this office is referred to in the plural, so to have a congregation functioning under New Testament instructions, there must be a minimum of two. Where there are more who are fully qualified, there may be several.
There is also an office to be in each congregation which has similar, yet slightly less rigid qualifications, this is the office of deacons, who are to assist the elders, primarily in the physical duties and activities required in the church. They are also to plural in numbers.
Another office which we have a number of references concerning is that of an evangelist. This man, or men, may be located in a congregation or may be itinerate. This person is now often referred to as a preacher. It is his duty to preach the word where ever he may have the opportunity. The only person of higher authority than the elders in each congregation is that of Jesus Christ himself. He is the only intermediary between the Christian and God, himself.
There was no distinguishing of any person over another known as laity and clergy in the early church, and none authorized for the future. No single congregation, once the original apostles were gone had any authority over another one. Only after the church began to apostatize, were there appointed individuals with authority over more than one congregation, and in fact, no one person had full authority over a single congregation. And certainly, never was there any inference made that a hierarchy be established over the entire world of congregations, other than Jesus himself.
His word has not changed since the church was established in A.D. 32. Only man and his own innovations.
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