Scripture and the Church

What Is A Minister?

By Dr. Paul M. Elliott
There is no more serious calling than to be a minister of God. Those who think they may be called of God to this office, and those who would call a man to be the pastor of a church, must consider carefully what it entails.

From the TeachingtheWord Bible Knowledgebase

 

There is no more serious calling than to be a minister of God. Those who think they may be called of God to this office, and those who would call a man to be the pastor of a church, must consider carefully what it entails. 

What is a minister, according to Scripture? Over the centuries since the Protestant Reformation, many parts of the visible church have summarized the answers to this question in their governing documents and doctrinal statements. In past generations their answer relied upon Scripture alone.

In our time, however, much of the visible church has taken a different, far less Biblical course. Seeking to become more acceptable to the unbelieving world, many churches have added to or subtracted from God's definition of the office of minister He has given in His Word. This is no more acceptable in His sight than any other manipulation of Scripture (Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32; Proverbs 30:6, Revelation 22:18-19). Indeed, it is one of the responsibilities of the Christian minister to renounce such things:

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man�¢??s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)

In this article we present the Biblical definition of a minister of Christ, drawing upon statements found in a number of historical documents of church government that are founded upon Scripture alone. God's Word defines the office of minister, and the man who is qualified to enter into it, by giving the man several different names that describe his duties.

"Minister"

Since he is a servant of Christ in the church, and serves the flock of God on Christ's behalf, he is called a minister. The term has to do with one who is acting on behalf of, and on the authority of, a sovereign.

Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:15-16)

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:5-6)

...partakers of His promise in Christ through the Gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. (Ephesians 3:6-7)

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf... (Colossians 1:2-7)

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight- if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:23-25)

Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-3)

"Bishop"

Since the minister is responsible for the spiritual oversight of the flock of Christ, Scripture terms him a bishop, which in the original language means "overseer".

Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:1-2)

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. (Titus 1:7-9)

"Pastor"

Since the minister is to feed the flock of God with spiritual food, thus equipping the saints for service, pursuing the goal of spiritual maturity, grounding them in sound doctrine, and thus seeking to promote unity in Christ, he is called a pastor.

The word in the original language denotes a keeper of the sheep, responsible for watching against predators and protecting the sheep from them; caring for the sick and injured in the flock; attending the births of lambs and guarding them in their infancy; seeking after those that have strayed from the flock; and leading the sheep into pasture lands that will nourish and sustain them. All of these things, in a spiritual sense, are the special responsibility of the pastor.

And He [Christ] Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ - from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

"Elder"

Since it is his duty to be sober and prudent, and an example of the flock, and to govern well in the house and kingdom of Christ, and must not be a spiritual novice, he is termed presbyter or elder.

So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23)

But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. (Acts 15:5-6)

Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings... (Acts 15:22-23)

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. (1 Timothy 5:17)

"Ambassador"

Since he is sent to declare the will of God to sinners, and to implore them to be reconciled to God through Christ, he is termed an ambassador. The word in the original is presbuo, which is related to the Greek word for elder, presbuteros. In New Testament times it was men who were considered elders in the community who were chosen as ambassadors. In this role they represented, spoke for, and spoke on the authority of, the one who sent them. Ministers are spoken of both as representatives, in this sense, of Christ, and of the Gospel itself:

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ�¢??s behalf, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

... the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains... (Ephesians 6:19-20)

"Steward"

Since he sets before the church the manifold grace of God, and administers the ordinances instituted by Christ, he is termed steward of the mysteries of God. The term "mystery" in Scripture denotes not the mysticism of false religions, but rather those things which were once hidden in the plan and purpose of God but are now revealed through His Word. The word "steward" in context means "one who has been entrusted with the oversight of another's treasure." Truly, the minister of Christ has been entrusted with the pure doctrine of God, and must be faithful in handling it faithfully and not in self-will.

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. (Titus 1:7-9)

"Separated Servant"

In humility the minister is the servant of Christ, separated unto the Gospel of God. The word translated "servant" (Greek doulos) means "one who is a bondservant" or "one who is engaged in the service of another to the extent that he disregards his own interested."

The word that is translated "separated" (Greek aphorizo), in the context in which it is used in the New Testament, means to observe boundaries established by God that mark off believers, and his ministers in particular, from the unbelieving cultures. The word also has the sense of excluding from their thinking and living those things that are disreputable in the sight of God. The word in context also has to do with being set apart in the plan of God for His purposes, for His glory.

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." (Acts 16:16-17)

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1)

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the Gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures... (Romans 1:1-2)

There can be no more serious calling than to be a minister of God. Those who think they may be called of God to this office must consider carefully what it entails. Those who would call a man as the pastor of a congregation must do likewise. And the people of God must pray for their ministers, as Paul asked the Ephesian church to pray for him:

...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints - and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18-20)

sac0108


Copyright 1998-2024

TeachingtheWord Ministriesmmmmmwww.teachingtheword.org

All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced in its entirety only,
for non-commercial purposes, provided that this copyright notice is included.

We also suggest that you include a direct hyperlink to this article
for the convenience of your readers.

What Is A Minister?

From the TeachingtheWord Bible Knowledgebase

 

There is no more serious calling than to be a minister of God. Those who think they may be called of God to this office, and those who would call a man to be the pastor of a church, must consider carefully what it entails.

What is a minister, according to Scripture? Over the centuries since the Protestant Reformation, many parts of the visible church have summarized the answers to this question in their governing documents and doctrinal statements. In past generations their answer relied upon Scripture alone. In our time, however, much of the visible church has taken a different, far less Biblical course. Seeking to become more acceptable to the unbelieving world, many churches have added to or subtracted from God's definition of the office of minister He has given in His Word. This is no more acceptable in His sight than any other manipulation of Scripture (Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32; Proverbs 30:6, Revelation 22:18-19). Indeed, it is one of the responsibilities of the Christian minister to renounce such things:

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man�¢??s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)

In this article we present the Biblical definition of a minister of Christ, drawing upon statements found in a number of historical documents of church government that are founded upon Scripture alone. God's Word defines the office of minister, and the man who is qualified to enter into it, by giving the man several different names that describe his duties.

"Minister"

Since he is a servant of Christ in the church, and serves the flock of God on Christ's behalf, he is called a minister. The term has to do with one who is acting on behalf of, and on the authority of, a sovereign.

Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:15-16)

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:5-6)

...partakers of His promise in Christ through the Gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. (Ephesians 3:6-7)

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf... (Colossians 1:2-7)

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight- if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:23-25)

Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-3)

"Bishop"

Since the minister is responsible for the spiritual oversight of the flock of Christ, Scripture terms him a bishop, which in the original language means "overseer".

Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:1-2)

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. (Titus 1:7-9)

"Pastor"

Since the minister is to feed the flock of God with spiritual food, thus equipping the saints for service, pursuing the goal of spiritual maturity, grounding them in sound doctrine, and thus seeking to promote unity in Christ, he is called a pastor.

The word in the original language denotes a keeper of the sheep, responsible for watching against predators and protecting the sheep from them; caring for the sick and injured in the flock; attending the births of lambs and guarding them in their infancy; seeking after those that have strayed from the flock; and leading the sheep into pasture lands that will nourish and sustain them. All of these things, in a spiritual sense, are the special responsibility of the pastor.

And He [Christ] Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ - from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

"Elder"

Since it is his duty to be sober and prudent, and an example of the flock, and to govern well in the house and kingdom of Christ, and must not be a spiritual novice, he is termed presbyter or elder.

So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23)

But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. (Acts 15:5-6)

Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings... (Acts 15:22-23)

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. (1 Timothy 5:17)

"Ambassador"

Since he is sent to declare the will of God to sinners, and to implore them to be reconciled to God through Christ, he is termed an ambassador. The word in the original is presbuo, which is related to the Greek word for elder, presbuteros. In New Testament times it was men who were considered elders in the community who were chosen as ambassadors. In this role they represented, spoke for, and spoke on the authority of, the one who sent them. Ministers are spoken of both as representatives, in this sense, of Christ, and of the Gospel itself:

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ�¢??s behalf, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

... the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains... (Ephesians 6:19-20)

"Steward"

Since he sets before the church the manifold grace of God, and administers the ordinances instituted by Christ, he is termed steward of the mysteries of God. The term "mystery" in Scripture denotes not the mysticism of false religions, but rather those things which were once hidden in the plan and purpose of God but are now revealed through His Word. The word "steward" in context means "one who has been entrusted with the oversight of another's treasure." Truly, the minister of Christ has been entrusted with the pure doctrine of God, and must be faithful in handling it faithfully and not in self-will.

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. (Titus 1:7-9)

"Separated Servant"

In humility the minister is the servant of Christ, separated unto the Gospel of God. The word translated "servant" (Greek doulos) means "one who is a bondservant" or "one who is engaged in the service of another to the extent that he disregards his own interested." The word that is translated "separated" (Greek aphorizo), in the context in which it is used in the New Testament, means to observe boundaries established by God that mark off believers, and his ministers in particular, from the unbelieving cultures. The word also has the sense of excluding from their thinking and living those things that are disreputable in the sight of God. The word in context also has to do with being set apart in the plan of God for His purposes, for His glory.

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." (Acts 16:16-17)

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1)

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the Gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures... (Romans 1:1-2)

There can be no more serious calling than to be a minister of God. Those who think they may be called of God to this office must consider carefully what it entails. Those who would call a man as the pastor of a congregation must do likewise. And the people of God must pray for their ministers, as Paul asked the Ephesian church to pray for him:

...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints - and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18-20)

sac0108


Copyright 1998-2024

TeachingtheWord Ministriesmmmmmwww.teachingtheword.org

All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced in its entirety only,
for non-commercial purposes, provided that this copyright notice is included.

We also suggest that you include a direct hyperlink to this article
for the convenience of your readers.

Copyright 1998-2024 TeachingTheWord Ministries