Gospel Order, Pt. 5

The New Testament Church at Work

The growth of the work brought increasing burdens of administrative detail. The whole body of believers were gathered about Jerusalem. There arose murmuring among the Grecians as to the distribution from the common treasury for the needy. Even with the twelve apostles looking after affairs there was chance for oversight or mistakes. But there was no suggestion that the systematic plan of work should be set aside, and that every one should manage independently and without co-operation. That was not the spirit in the church of Christ. Rather, the apostles saw the need of calling in other helpers to share responsibilities, and of strengthening the regular channels for carrying forward the financial side of the gospel work. They proposed the selection of a committee of brethren for this purpose: —

"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." Acts 6:2, 3.

"The saying pleased the whole multitude," and they chose this committee of seven. These were "set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them." The Lord accepted the united decision of the believers, and Stephen, one of the seven, was the first martyr witness. As yet they were not called deacons, so far as the record goes. In the later development of organization we find the office of deacon a regular appointment in the churches.

In this emergency it was the need of the hour that led to the selection of men to the office and work. As conditions arose, the Spirit-guided church was alert to organize its work and appoint men to service as needs were recognized. It is for this that the offices or gifts of the Spirit are placed in the church. The plans agreed upon in the council of the apostles were laid before the believers, so that there was unity in the action taken. And those whom the Lord had ordained to the oversight of the work ordained the seven to their appointed office.

Of the lesson for our day in this record, the spirit of prophecy (with the church now, as in apostolic days, as a guiding voice) says: —

It is necessary that the same order and system should be maintained in the church now as in the days of the apostles. The prosperity of the cause depends very largely upon its various departments being conducted by men of ability, who are qualified for their positions. ... It is proper for all matters of a temporal nature to come before the proper officers, and be by them adjusted. But if they are of so difficult a character as to baffle their wisdom, they should be carried into the council of those who have the oversight of the entire church. —"Redemption, or the Ministry of Peter and the Conversion of Saul," pages 29, 30.

The call of Paul to the ministry and apostleship illustrates the Lord's recognition of the organized body of believers as his representative. By special revelation Christ appeared to Paul, but from his baptism to his ordination to the ministry, and appointment to the work to which he was called, the Lord worked through his appointed agency, the church. The spirit of prophecy draws the lesson of church order in this experience of Paul in these words : —

The Redeemer of the world does not sanction experience and exercise in religious matters independent of his organized and acknowledged church. Many have an idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for their light and experience, independent of his recognized followers on earth. But in the history of the conversion of Saul, important principles are given us, which we should ever bear in mind. He was brought directly into the presence of Christ. . . . He arrested his course and converted him; but when asked by him, "What wilt thou have me to do?" the Saviour placed him in connection with his church, and let them direct him what to do. ... In this case Ananias represents Christ, and also represents Christ's ministers upon earth, who are appointed to act in his stead. . . . All is done in the name and by the authority of Christ; but the church is the channel of communication.—"Life of Paul," pages 31, 32.

As believers sprang up in Antioch, the apostles and church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to labor there, and Paul joined him. To a number of ministering prophets and teachers, laboring at Antioch, in association with Barnabas and Paul, the word of the Holy Spirit came: —

"Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed." Acts 13:1-4.

Thus the Holy Spirit worked through the church and the gifts of ministry set in it, to ordain and commission men to the gospel service. The spirit of prophecy again points the lesson in gospel
order:—

Both Paul and Barnabas had been laboring as ministers of Christ, and God had abundantly blessed their efforts; but neither of them had previously been formally ordained to the gospel ministry by prayer and the laying on of hands. They are now authorized by the church, not only to teach the truth, but to baptize, and to organize churches, being invested with full ecclesiastical authority. . . . The brethren in Jerusalem and in Antioch were made thoroughly acquainted with all the particulars of this divine appointment, and the specific work of teaching the Gentiles, which the Lord had given to these apostles. Their ordination was an open recognition of their divine mission, as messengers specially chosen by the Holy Ghost for a special work.— "Life of Paul," pages 42, 43.

Later, as churches were raised up among the Gentiles, there came in questionings as to teaching and practise, brought about by unauthorized and independent teachers, who went among the churches. This led to the first general conference of the churches to decide upon the matter.

W. A. Spicer

(Review and Herald, April 22, 1909)