By Gary Ray Branscome
While the words, “One is your Master, even Christ; and
you are all brethren,” tell us that those who carry out the public ministry
are not superior to other Christians, it would be wrong to assume that their
role is only of human origin (Matthew 23:8). The fact that the public ministry
is a divine appointment is revealed by the fact that God’s Apostles ordained
those who would carry it out, and God’s Word lists their qualifications,
describes their duties, and urges us to honor them.
The words, “I left you in Crete… to ordain elders,”
and “After they had ordained elders for them in every congregation, and had
prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had put
their trust,” tell us that the Apostles and their assistants [in this case
Titus] set up congregations and invested qualified men with the responsibility
of overseeing those congregations (Titus 1:5, Acts 14:23). Moreover, the words,
“He sent to
The words, “A bishop must be blameless, the husband of
one wife, vigilant, sober-minded, of good behavior, given to hospitality, able
to teach; Not given to wine, not a striker, but one who is patient and gentle
not a brawler, not covetous or greedy for gain; One who does a good job
of running his own house, having his children under control, yet dealing
with them in a dignified way; (For if a man does not know how to lead his own
house, how can he take care of God’s church?) Not a new convert,
or he may be lifted up with pride and so fall into the same condemnation as the
devil. Moreover he must also be well thought of by those who are outside the
church; or he may fall into disgrace and the devil’s snare,” list
qualifications for those who hold the public ministry, thereby setting apart the
role of a minister (1Timothy 3:2-7).
The words, “An overseer [bishop] must be blameless…
Holding fast to the faithful word as he has been taught, so he will be able to comfort
people with sound teaching and convict those who oppose it,” // “Take
heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy
Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He has
purchased with His own blood,” // “Not as dictators over those in your
care, but as examples to the flock,” describe the function and duties of a
minister (Titus 1:7-11, Acts 20:28, 1Peter 5:3).
The words, “His gift made some… pastors and
teachers,” // “Notice those who labor among you… And because of their
work hold them in the highest regard in love,” // “emulate their faith”
// “and follow their guidance: for they watch for your souls, as men who
must give account, so that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for
that is not to your advantage,” make a distinction between those who hold
the ministry and other believers, and urge us to “hold them in the highest
regard” (Ephesians 4:11, 1Thessalonians 5:12-13, Hebrews 13:7 and17).