August 11, 2024: Sunday School

Order of Service

• Sermon
• Prayer of Benediction

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Sermon Title: Christ's Rule Through the Offices of the Church

Scripture: Acts 14:23

I. Christ Rules His Church Through Ordained Officers

A. Review from previous week: Christ alone has authority to establish order and government in his church B. The Book of Church Order states that Christ rules and teaches the church through his Word and Spirit by the ministry of men C. Ephesians 4:11-12 — As Christ ascended, he gave gifts to men: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers

II. The Office of Elder: Its Biblical Development

A. The Apostles served as the initial leaders of the New Testament church, bearing the revealed Word B. A Changing of the Guard is visible across the book of Acts

1. Early Acts focuses on the Apostles, particularly Peter
2. Acts 9–13 shifts focus to Paul and his mission to the Gentiles
3. As the Apostolic age begins to wane, the office of Elder emerges

C. First mention of church Elders: Acts 11:27-30

1. Aid sent from the church in Antioch (a Gentile church) to brothers in Judea
2. Sent "to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul" — first use of presbuteros for a church leader rather than a Jewish official

D. Elders formally appointed in every church: Acts 14:23

1. Paul appoints Elders in every church with prayer and fasting
2. Titus 1:5 — Titus instructed to appoint Elders in every city

E. Apostles and Elders serve together: Acts 15:2

1. The Jerusalem Council includes both Apostles and Elders deliberating together
2. The council letter is issued jointly from the Apostles and Elders
3. Authority is progressively transitioning from Apostles to Elders

III. Two Terms, One Office

A. Presbuteros (Elder) and episcopos (Overseer/Bishop) describe the same office with different emphases

1. Episcopos emphasizes guarding the apostolic tradition and oversight
2. Presbuteros emphasizes dignity, prudence, and godly governance
3. Titus 1 and Acts 20 list both terms together under the same qualifications

B. Qualifications for Overseers/Elders: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

1. Above reproach, husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable
2. Able to teach; not a drunkard, not violent, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money
3. Must manage his own household well; not a recent convert; well thought of by outsiders
4. Most qualifications are simply Christian virtues expected of all believers

C. Two orders of Elders recognized: 1 Timothy 5:17

1. Teaching Elders — called and ordained to labor in preaching, teaching, and administering the sacraments
2. Ruling Elders — share equal authority with Teaching Elders; gifted more for administration and governance

D. Peter's exhortation to Elders: 1 Peter 5:1-4

1. Peter identifies himself as a "fellow elder," pointing forward to the continuation of church leadership
2. Elders are to shepherd the flock willingly, not under compulsion
3. They are to exercise oversight eagerly, not for shameful gain
4. They are to lead by example, not by domineering

IV. The Office of Deacon

A. The Greek word diakonos (servant/deacon) appears first in a church context in Acts 6

1. A dispute arose over the neglect of Greek widows in the daily distribution
2. The Apostles called the church to select seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom
3. These men were appointed to the ministry of service so the Apostles could continue in the Word

B. The office of Deacon is an office of service, distinct from the office of Elder

1. Elders hold the office of rule; Deacons hold the office of service
2. Deacons minister to the material and physical needs of the congregation
3. Responsibilities include overseeing finances, facility, care for the poor, and use of church resources

C. Qualifications for Deacons: 1 Timothy 3:8-13

1. Must be men of good character

D. Both offices are ordained; each has authority within its own sphere

1. As Guy Waters writes: "Christ has given each set of officers a unique set of gifts and calling to do the work that he has assigned them"
2. Together, Elders and Deacons provide for the full care of the church — Body and Soul, spiritual and physical