Topical Encyclopedia
In the New Testament, various titles and names are used to describe those who serve in ministerial roles within the early Christian church. These titles reflect the diverse functions and responsibilities of church leaders and provide insight into the structure and organization of the early Christian communities.
1.
Apostles: The term "apostle" (Greek: ἀπόστολος, apostolos) refers to those who are "sent out" as messengers or envoys. The original twelve apostles were chosen by Jesus Christ to be His closest followers and witnesses to His resurrection. In
Acts 1:25-26, Matthias is chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, maintaining the number of the Twelve. Paul, though not one of the original twelve, is also recognized as an apostle due to his encounter with the risen Christ and his significant role in spreading the Gospel (
Galatians 1:1).
2.
Prophets: Prophets in the New Testament are those who speak forth the word of God, often providing guidance, encouragement, and correction to the church.
Ephesians 4:11 lists prophets as one of the gifts Christ gave to the church for its edification. Agabus is an example of a New Testament prophet, as seen in
Acts 11:28 and
Acts 21:10-11.
3.
Evangelists: Evangelists are those who proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, often traveling to spread the Gospel to new areas. Philip is identified as an evangelist in
Acts 21:8, and Timothy is encouraged to "do the work of an evangelist" in
2 Timothy 4:5.
4.
Pastors: The term "pastor" (Greek: ποιμήν, poimēn) means shepherd, indicating one who tends to and cares for the flock of God.
Ephesians 4:11 includes pastors among the gifts given to the church. The role of a pastor involves teaching, guiding, and protecting the congregation, as seen in
1 Peter 5:2-3, where elders are exhorted to shepherd the flock willingly and eagerly.
5.
Teachers: Teachers are those who instruct others in the doctrines and teachings of the faith. They are mentioned alongside apostles, prophets, and evangelists in
Ephesians 4:11. The role of a teacher is crucial for the spiritual growth and maturity of believers, as emphasized in
James 3:1, which warns of the greater accountability teachers face.
6.
Elders: Elders (Greek: πρεσβύτεροι, presbyteroi) are leaders within the local church, often responsible for governance and spiritual oversight. The appointment of elders is seen in
Acts 14:23, and their qualifications are detailed in
1 Timothy 3:1-7 and
Titus 1:5-9. Elders are also referred to as overseers or bishops (Greek: ἐπίσκοποι, episkopoi), highlighting their role in overseeing the church's affairs (
Acts 20:28).
7.
Deacons: Deacons (Greek: διάκονοι, diakonoi) serve the church by attending to practical needs, allowing elders to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. The selection of the first deacons is described in
Acts 6:1-6, where seven men are chosen to assist with the distribution of food. The qualifications for deacons are outlined in
1 Timothy 3:8-13.
8.
Servants of Christ: Ministers are often referred to as servants (Greek: δοῦλοι, douloi) of Christ, emphasizing their role in serving God and His people. Paul frequently identifies himself as a servant of Christ Jesus (
Romans 1:1), highlighting the humility and dedication required of those in ministry.
These titles and roles illustrate the multifaceted nature of ministry in the New Testament church, each contributing to the growth and edification of the body of Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Corinthians 3:6Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Evidences of Christianity Briefly Stated, and the New ...
... you may depend upon it, that faithful ministers of every ... certain pieces, which bore
the same titles with the ... or Livy, wrote those which go under their names. ...
/.../the evidences of christianity/the evidences of christianity briefly.htm
Articles of Religion.
... Of Homilies."The second Book of Homilies, the several titles whereof we have ... them
to be read in Churches by the Ministers, diligently and ... Of the Names of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/articles of religion.htm
A Look into the Hebrew Bible.
... the Bible are now known by intelligent ministers of which ... that is to say we find
the names in our ... of which we have no other knowledge; their titles quoted upon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter i a look into.htm
The Blood of the Covenant
... Other names may have small significance, but in the titles of Jesus ... covenant, the
covenant sealed with blood." How I wish Christ's ministers would spread ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the blood of the covenant.htm
The Great Shepherd
... and sufferings unto death, of the names He bears ... that he should be distinguished
by such titles, honours, and ... such persons, under the name of ministers, will be ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xiii the great shepherd.htm
Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled ...
... Different names given to this dispensation, to show that ... they are commended by many
distinguished titles, as the ... not now belong to faithful ministers to coin ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of the power.htm
The Pastoral Epistles
... Epistles do not correspond with the titles used in ... title "episkopos" only to the
highest ministers of the ... the Epistle without tamely copying names which occur ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xvii the pastoral epistles.htm
More Particularly, in what Respect Christ is Called the Truth.
... is the Truth in this regard, that he fully answers all the titles and names which
he ... 2. By his ministers, who witness the truth of the gospel by publishing ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xi more particularly in.htm
Articuli xxxix. Ecclesi?? Anglican??. AD 1562.
... sixt: and The Second Book of Homilies, the several titles whereof we ... them to be read
in Churches by the Ministers, diligently and ... Of the names of the Homilies. ...
/.../articuli xxxix ecclesiae anglicanae a d.htm
The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... Peaceable as was the demeanour of his ministers, and benevolent as ... in the Christian
Church, and that the names of office are not empty titles of honour. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm
Resources
What is the name of God? | GotQuestions.orgIs it biblical to call the wife of a pastor, elder, or bishop the First Lady of the church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of “Everlasting Father” in Isaiah 9:6? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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