Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7010 The church as the people of God » 7020 church, the » 7026 church, leadership of Jesus Christ is the absolute head of the church. He sets leaders in the church to enable the whole church to grow into maturity. Christ's authority in the church is acknowledged more by the church's obedience to God than through any particular form of government. Jesus Christ alone is head of the church Colossians 1:18 See also Matthew 23:8-10; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 2:19; Hebrews 3:3 The Holy Spirit directs the church Acts 13:2 See also Acts 15:28; Acts 16:6-7; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Revelation 2:7,11 The appointment of leaders in the church God calls and equips leaders Ephesians 4:11 See also Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:24-26; Acts 9:15-16; Acts 20:28; Acts 26:16-18; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Galatians 1:15-17 Delegated leadership Acts 6:3-6; Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5 The appointment of apostles Mark 3:13-19 pp Matthew 10:1-4 pp Luke 6:12-16 As founders of the church: 1 Corinthians 9:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 21:14 As leaders of the church: Acts 2:42; Acts 15:6,22-23; 1 Thessalonians 2:6; 2 Peter 3:2; Jude 17 Prophets as leaders Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas were leaders in the Jerusalem church (Ac 15:22). See also Acts 11:27-30; Acts 13:1-2; Romans 12:6 The role of prophets as leaders is distinct from the gift of prophecy, which was in principle available to all; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Corinthians 14:29-30; Ephesians 3:5 Evangelists as leaders Acts 21:8 See also Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5 Pastors and teachers as leaders Acts 20:28 See also John 21:15-17; Acts 13:1; Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9; James 3:1; 1 Peter 5:2 Pastors are also called “shepherds”. Elders as leaders 1 Timothy 3:1 “Elder” and “overseer” or “bishop” are more or less interchangeable. See also Acts 11:30; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:2,22; Acts 20:17; 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 2 John 1 Deacons as leaders Philippians 1:1 “Deacon” means “one who serves”. See also Acts 6:5-6; 1 Timothy 3:8 Qualifications for church leadership The first apostles were witnesses of Jesus Christ's life and resurrection: Acts 1:21-22; Acts 10:41; 1 Corinthians 9:1-2; Corinthians 15:7-8; 2 Peter 1:16 Qualifications for elders and deacons: Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3:1-12; Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4 Responsibilities of church leaders To preach the gospel Romans 1:15; 1 Corinthians 1:17; Galatians 2:8; Ephesians 3:8; 1 Timothy 2:7 To teach sound doctrine 1 Timothy 4:6,13; Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:7 To give direction in church life Acts 15:2,6,22-23; Acts 16:4; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 5:2 To be an example in loving service Matthew 20:26-28 pp Mark 10:43-45; Mark 9:35; John 13:13-15; Hebrews 13:7; 1 Peter 5:3 To train and appoint other leaders Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5 To pray for the sick To exercise discipline in the church 2 Corinthians 13:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 1:20; Timothy 5:20; Titus 3:10; 3Jn 10 The church's responsibilities to its leaders To respect and submit to its leaders Acts 16:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 13:17 To pray for its leaders Ephesians 6:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:25 To support its leaders financially 1 Corinthians 9:7-14; Philippians 4:15-19; 1 Timothy 5:17-18 The corporate government of the church In choosing leaders In implementing decisions In building up the church Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-12,27; Ephesians 4:3,7-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11 In discerning true and false teachings 1 John 4:1-3; 2Jn 10; Revelation 2:2 In exercising discipline Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 The structure of the church The pattern of church life Acts 2:42 See also Acts 2:46; Acts 5:42 The house church Acts 1:13-14; Acts 12:12; Acts 16:40; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Phm 2 The local church Acts 13:1; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2 It is unknown whether there were subdivisions of the church in towns such as Corinth; 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Churches in a region Acts 9:31; Acts 15:41; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 8:1; Galatians 1:2,22; Revelation 1:4 Normally the NT speaks of “churches” in an area rather than of a unified regional structure. The universal church Referring to the local as well as the universal church: 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 5:25 See also
2212 Christ, head of church |
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