Ministers in the Early Church

[abide]

There is a note in my bible related to 1 Timothy 3:1-13

"In the early church there were only two orders of minister or officers: bishops and deacons. Phil, 1.1 Christians in ages since then have invented all the rest. The office of the bishop, presbyter, pastor, or minister was confined to prayer and to the ministry of the word. The office of the deacon was serving (the needs of the congregation) The deacons main employment was to serve tables and not to preach or baptize. IF this is true, indeed, that Philip did preach and baptised in Samaria (Acts 8) but he was an evangelist (21.8) and he might preach and perform any other part of the ministerial office under that character. Still, the design of the deacons's office was to mind the temperal concerns of the church, such as the salaries of the ministers and providing for the poor.") My bible has commentary from Matthew Henry's commentary but this seems to be an added comment.

If this is true, the roles have really been reversed..which makes me go ..hhhhm

 

[Mitspa]

Psa 69:22

Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.

I believe it is clear that most ministers in the "church" now have become dependant upon "keeping the folks happy" instead of always seeking to please God. The money they pull from the pockets of the congregation has now become a snare unto them. Fear of losing their own pay has made many turn from the truth into what pleases the flesh of the carnal "church" Having "itching ears" they will heap up for themselves teachers.

 

[Butch5]

There is a note in my bible related to 1 Timothy 3:1-13

"In the early church there were only two orders of minister or officers: bishops and deacons. Phil, 1.1 Christians in ages since then have invented all the rest. The office of the bishop, presbyter, pastor, or minister was confined to prayer and to the ministry of the word. The office of the deacon was serving (the needs of the congregation) The deacons main employment was to serve tables and not to preach or baptize. IF this is true, indeed, that Philip did preach and baptised in Samaria (Acts 8) but he was an evangelist (21.8) and he might preach and perform any other part of the ministerial office under that character. Still, the design of the deacons's office was to mind the temperal concerns of the church, such as the salaries of the ministers and providing for the poor.") My bible has commentary from Matthew Henry's commentary but this seems to be an added comment.

If this is true, the roles have really been reversed..which makes me go ..hhhhm

Hi Abide,

I don't remember off the top of my head but sometime around the time of Ignatius (105 AD.) there was a three fold ministry in the church. I believe it was pastor, elder, and deacon, but I'd have to look that up. If I remember correctly there was both the twofold and threefold practiced at this time.