Lesson 288 - Junior

Memory Verse

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls”  (Hebrews 13:17).

Notes

Growth

As the disciples preached about Jesus, more people were added to their number. The group of believers grew until the Apostles could not properly do all the work. Among the Grecian people there arose a murmur that their widows were being neglected. A part of the Apostles' work had been the distribution of temporal things to the needy [ACT:4:35]).

Since the Apostles were Hebrews, it might appear that partiality was being shown, because no word is mentioned that Hebrew widows were neglected. Probably they were not intentionally overlooked. The Bible teaches against partiality [PRO:24:23]; [JOB:13:10]; [LEV:19:15]). Paul wrote these words to Timothy: "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality” [1TM:5:21]).

A Complaint

We are not told to whom the complaint was made. Sometimes people murmur to their friends and neighbours but they will never go to their leaders who can correct a wrong situation. Someone was faithful to report this to the Apostles, and the cause for the complaint was removed.

If you were missed, when the books were handed out at school, would you not tell your teacher that you were overlooked? If all the others, except you, were served ice cream for desert, would you not tell your mother that you were missed? Is it not reasonable to tell the leaders when something may seem amiss?

We do not know whether there were grounds for the complaint. Whether it was just or unjust, the cause for the murmur was removed. A meeting was called, and the multitude of disciples was there. This matter of complaint was talked over.

A Deeper Consecration

Jesus had called His disciples to work for Him. To some of them He had said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” [MAT:4:19]). Jesus told His followers that they had not chosen Him but that He had chosen them, and ordained them, to go and bring forth fruit [JHN:15:16]). Jesus called the twelve Apostles and sent them out to preach the Gospel and to heal the sick [MAT:10:1-8]). After Jesus went to Heaven [ACT:1:9]), the twelve Apostles had the responsibility of preaching the Gospel and of spreading the good tidings of salvation. This was the spiritual work to which they had been called.

As the number of believers grew, the responsibilities grew. The twelve Apostles asked the congregation to select seven men to take over a part of the work -– the handling of temporal matters. This would enable the twelve to give themselves "continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” They felt that their time and attention should not be withdrawn from the work to which God had call them.

Deacons

The seven church officers are sometimes referred to as "deacons.” They were chosen to assist the Apostles and to be in charge of distributing food to the needy. Before they were chosen, the Apostles said to the people, "Look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.” These were the requirements – of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. The qualifications were high but those who want to be workers for the Lord must live spiritual and good lives.

The seven men of honest report had a good reputation among the people. They were of good character, and blameless. The people would have confidence in such men. These seven men were spiritually gifted, too. They were full of the Holy Ghost. They had received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is a gift of God [ACT:2:38]; [ACT:10:45]), which makes one a witness for the Lord, and which gives him power for service [ACT:1:8]). They had used that power lest they would lose it. They had continued to pray and to consecrate their lives to God. To receive the Holy Ghost is a wonderful blessing, but it is very important that one keep the blessings of God upon his life.

The seven deacons were required to have wisdom, too. It would seem only reasonable that these men should have some practical knowledge which would enable them properly to care for the work with which they were entrusted.

The congregation chose the seven deacons. The Apostles approved them and ordained them with prayer. We see that misunderstandings can easily and quickly be settled. The Apostles were not looking for personal power. Into the care of the seven deacons was put the work, which could be done by others. The Apostles were not shunning their responsibility; they were sharing it. They used both love and wisdom when they put these dependable men in charge of the temporal affairs. God must have been well pleased with the arrangement, because the number of believers grew and God's Word was successfully preached.

Other Officers in the Church

When more people came and other churches were established, there was a need for more deacons and for other officers in the church. In the writings of both Paul and Peter we find some instructions concerning bishops and elders as well as deacons. The bishops were the ministers in charge of the churches. They were encouraged to hold "fast the faithful word” that they would "be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince” those who listened [TIT:1:9]). Others of the ministers, along with some of the workers, were called elders. They also were to "feed the flock of God.” That is, they were to give spiritual help [1PE:5:2]). They were to live so as to be examples to God's people.

The qualifications for all these officers were practically the same. God expected all those who laboured either in spiritual or in temporal affairs to live good lives, above reproach, blameless, and humble.

Church Officers Today

In our own church, The Apostolic Faith, we have church officers similar to those in the early churches of the Apostles. At our headquarters in Portland, Oregon, there is a General Overseer who is in charge of all the work. We also have an Assistant General Overseer who helps in that great work. Although we do not appoint elders and deacons, we have those who are recognized as such and who do the work of deacons and elders. Those who assist the ministers are "workers.”

We have ministers and workers who might be called elders. They pray for the sick and talk over spiritual problems with the leader and give counsel. There are also those, like the deacons, who are in charge of temporal affairs. Their work may include the supervision of the parking of cars, the group watchmen, the construction of new buildings, the work in the printing plant, and such things as may be of a temporal nature. Both the spiritual and the temporal are a part of the Gospel, and one could not be successful without the other.

As we consecrate our hearts and our hands, the Spirit of God seeks out and appoints each one to his post of duty. One may fill one position faithfully for a while, and then God may give him other work to do. Of the seven who were first chosen to be deacons, at least two of them also did other work. Stephen, being "full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. . . . And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” [ACT:6:8];[ACT:6:10]). Stephen's preaching caused such condemnation on the Jews that they "set up false witnesses” against him, and stoned him. It was his privilege to be the first Christian martyr. Philip became a minister, too. He "preached Christ” in a great revival in Samaria so that many believed and were saved [ACT:8:5];[ACT:8:12]). He was sent to the Ethiopian eunuch, and helped the eunuch to be converted [ACT:8:27];[ACT:8:37]). Worshiping among us is a man who used to be our head usher. He was faithful in his work, and God called him to fill another place. For many years now he has been a minister, and has faithfully preached the Gospel.

Many children and young people have had the ambition to be workers for the Lord. They have consecrated their lives to God, that they might be vessels "unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” [2TM:2:21]). The Spirit of God has helped them to fulfil the requirements given for the ministers and workers. They have lived blameless lives, which are holy, sober, just, and temperate. They have loved God's people and have been kind to receive and entertain them. They have ruled themselves well and have been faithful in all things. Thus they have prepared themselves to be used of God. In due time God has given them the privilege of becoming Sunday School teachers, workers, and ministers.

Some who are children and young people today have the holy and worthy ambition to work for God. If the Lord tarries, they will be the officers of the Church. How much pleased God must be when children prepare their lives for His service and look forward to the time when He will choose them to fill a place in His work!

Respect

"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine” [1TM:5:17]). There is a respect that is due those whom God has entrusted with privileges and responsibilities. God has bestowed honour upon them. Can we do less? We honour and "esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake” [1TS:5:13]). We show our respect by being subject to them – obeying them [1PE:5:5]; [HEB:13:17]). It is only proper and fitting that we call our ministers and workers "Brother” and "Sister” rather than refer to them by their given names alone, even though we may know them well. Especially should children and young people show such respect to those who have been chosen by God to a special place of duty.

Support

The Levites of the Children of Israel were given no inheritance in the land of Canaan. The Lord was their inheritance [DEU:10:9]). They ministered in the Temple, and received their living from the things that were presented there, as the Lord promised. "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” [1CO:9:13-14]). The Apostles, elders, and deacons drew no salaries. When Jesus sent out the Apostles to preach and to heal all manner of sickness, He said, "The workman is worthy of his meat” [MAT:10:10]). The things they needed, such as food, shelter, clothing, and expenses for travel, were provided for them but they received no salary. So it is with us: those whose entire time is required for the work and who have no other means of support are maintained by the Gospel. Those who give a part of their time, toil with their hands for a living. For all these, the joy of service is their reward.

To all of us, God has given this instruction: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls” [HEB:13:17]).

Questions

1. After Jesus went to Heaven, who were in charge of spreading the Gospel?

2. Why were the first seven deacons chosen?

3. What was their work?

4. How were they chosen?

5. What were the requirements for deacons?

6. What other church officers were later chosen?

7. Who can be an officer of our church today?

8. What can a child do to prepare his life to be a worker for God?

9. How can we show respect to those whom God has placed in responsible positions?

10. How are church officers chosen today?