ORDER IN THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 7, 1901

ORDER IN THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH

By John Norton Loughborough

“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.” 1 Tim. 3: 14, 15.

The behavior here mentioned does not refer simply to the respect shown in and for the place of worship, but includes more especially the proper conducting of the spiritual and temporal interests of the Church. This is evident from the fact that the apostle had just been speaking of officers in the Church as those who had ability to rule well their own houses. To persons possessing such a faculty was to be committed the care of the Church. Paul inquires, “If a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?” Verse 5. Such good ruling in the household the Lord commended in the case of Abraham. Of him the Lord said, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.” Gen. 18: 19.

Paul, on whom rested “the care of all the churches” (2 Cor. 11: 28), seemed to recognize the fact that success in prosecuting the work of the gospel, as well as prosperity in any other enterprise, demanded that order and system be established and observed. In the introduction of the different points of order, the same principle is recognized as in the ancient Church; that is, to supply the lack as far and as fast as a necessity for system in working should appear. This mode of procedure is suggested in his instruction upon the subject, found in his epistle to Titus, to whom he said, “Set in order the things that are WANTING.” Titus 1: 5.

From the reading of the New Testament we see that those occupying leading positions in the Church were of two classes: those receiving their call and appointment directly from the Lord, and those recognized, or directly appointed, by the Church. Among the former are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. While the Church may, by its voice, recognize these as of divine appointment, it seems to be left to the Churches, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to select and set apart elders and deacons, and to provide such other officers as may be found necessary for the management of the Church in its various lines of work.

One of the first points in gospel order established by the Church was in connection with events immediately following the day of Pentecost, as is seen in the following scripture: “And in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.” Acts 6: 1-6.

These men were chosen and ordained to take charge of the “business” affairs of a local church. Such persons, in other scriptures, are called deacons. The Greek word diakonos, which, in the New Testament is rendered “deacon,” is thus defined by Greenfield in his Greek Lexicon: “Ministry in the Church, deaconship, the office of collecting and distributing alms to the poor, or of inquiring into and relieving their wants.”

Of those who should properly fill the office of deacon the apostle Paul said, “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.” 1 Tim. 3: 13. This certainly was true in the case of Stephen and Philip, two of the seven. We read of them as powerful ministers of the word. Philip is afterward mentioned as an “evangelist,” as we learn from Acts 21: 8.

When Paul had set before the Church the necessity of order, he set Titus at work to carry out the plan. He wrote him as follows: “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.” Titus 1: 5. He then proceeds to give the qualifications of a bishop. It may be inquired, Why does he specify the qualifications of a bishop, when he told Titus to ordain elders? By a comparison of what is said in the New Testament respecting the office of bishop, and elder, we see the terms apply to one in charge of a local church. The application of the word “bishop” to one in charge of a “diocese” composed of many churches seems to have arisen this side the time of the writing of the New Testament.

This local church office seems to be designated in the New Testament by several names, as overseer, shepherd, elder, bishop. The word “elder,” in Titus 1: 5, is from the Greek word presbuteros; which Greenfield, in his Lexicon, defines as “elders or pastors of the Christian Church.” The word “bishop,” in the seventh verse of the same chapter, is from the word episkopos, and is defined as “one who superintends and provides for the welfare of any one, an overseer, superintendent, bishop; that is, a chief officer in the Christian Church. Acts 20: 28; Phil. 1: 1; Titus 1: 7.” The word episkopos, occurring in Acts 20: 28, is there translated “overseers.” The word “shepherd” is applied to this same office, and is from the word poimen, and is defined as “a pastor, protector, guide, one who has the care of others and provides for their welfare. John 10: 11, 14, 16.”

Of the Church in those early times we quote: “The Church was in danger in the apostle’s day of being imposed upon and deceived by false teachers. Therefore the brethren chose men who had given good evidence that they were capable of ruling well their own house and preserving order in their own families, and who could enlighten those who were in darkness. Inquiry was made of God concerning these, and then, according to the mind of the Church and the Holy Ghost, they were set apart by the laying on of hands. Having received their commission from God, and having the approbation of the Church, they went forth baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and administering the ordinances of the Lord’s house, often waiting upon the saints by presenting them the emblems of the broken body and spilt blood of the crucified Saviour, to keep fresh in the memory of God’s beloved children His sufferings and death.” — “Early Writings,” Supplement to Experience and Views, pages 15, 16.

When matters came up of interest to the entire body of the early Church we learn, by reading the record of the council held at Jerusalem over the question of circumcision (recorded in Acts 15), how they proceeded. There were certain men which came down from Judea who “taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye can not be saved. . . . And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.” Acts 15: 1-6.

As to the character of some of the men called together on this occasion, we learn that they were men who had “hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Verse 26. Concerning the proceedings of this council, we read, in the words of another: “The apostles and elders at Jerusalem acted as councilors, in a manner to give room for the Holy Ghost to act as judge. Christ came into that assembly by His Spirit, and found the apostles, elders, and brethren in a teachable frame of mind, and at once led them out of their difficulties. In this case at an early date in the Christian Church, the true doctrine of the leadership of Christ and the equality of the ministerial brotherhood stands the test.”—Elder James White, Note in “Testimony,” No. 25, 1875.

In this council different ones freely expressed their minds. The true state of things was presented,—how the Lord was working by His Spirit with the uncircumcised Gentiles,—after which a decision was stated in these words: “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” Acts 15: 28, 29.

Concerning their action, we quote from “Spirit of Prophecy” these words: “The matter resulted in much discussion and want of harmony in the Church, until finally the church at Antioch, apprehending that a division among them would occur from any further discussion of the question, decided to send Paul and Barnabas, together with some responsible men of Antioch, to Jerusalem, and lay the matter before the apostles and elders. . . .

“The council which decided this case was composed of the founders of the Jewish and Gentile Christian churches. Elders from Jerusalem, and deputies from Antioch, were present; and the most influential churches were represented. The council did not claim infallibility in their deliberations, but moved from the dictates of enlightened judgment, and with the dignity of a church established by the divine will. They saw that God himself had decided that question by favoring the Gentiles with the Holy Ghost; and it was left for them to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“The entire body of Christians were not called to vote upon the question. The apostles and elders

— men of influence and judgment — framed and issued the decree, which was thereupon generally accepted by the Christian churches.”—“Spirit of Prophecy,” Vol. III, edition of 1878, pages 369, 376.

J. N. Loughborough.