Admonitions as to Character and Function
Revelations i. 6
And he made us [to be] a kingdom, [to be] priests unto his God and Father; to him [be] the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.1st Peter iv. 7
If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ...1st Timothy iii. 1
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Matthew xx. 25
JESUS said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.Matthew xxviii. 19
JESUS said, 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.
Scripture from KJV
Every Christian is a full and equal member of the Church Militant through baptism. God calls each to serve in some way, according to the gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit. The reasonable service of all is to present their bodies and souls as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to the Lord [Rom 12].
There are many functions in which one may serve. Ancient roles by scripture and tradition include the ordained offices of Bishops (Overseers), Presbyters (Elder/Preacher), and Deacons/Deaconesses (Servers). Appointed roles in worship include Door Watchers, Choir Members, Canters, Acolytes, Crucifers, Sub-Deacons, and Lectors. There are also roles to which one may have a subjective calling such as missionaries, prophets, and hospitality. In the Gospel of Matthew xx. 25, shown above, Jesus tells us that his Church is not to be lorded over by anyone, but the greatest will be the one who serves the others.
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