Order and
Organization
Importance of
Order and System
Of what is God the
author?
“For God is not a
God of disorder but a God of peace.”
1 Corinthians 14:33.
Why did Paul give
instructions to Timothy concerning
the duties and qualifications of
ministers and deacons?
“Although I hope
to come to you soon, I am writing you
these instructions so that, if I am
delayed, you will know how people
ought to conduct themselves in
God’s household, which is
the church of the living God, the
pillar and foundation of the
truth.”
1 Timothy 3:14,15.
How should
everything pertaining to God’s
work be done?
“But everything
should be done in a fitting and
orderly way.” 1 Corinthians
14:40.
Note – Order is
Heaven’s first law. In the
Scriptures Christians are likened to
soldiers, and their work to that of a
warrior (2 Timothy 2:3, 4: 1 Timothy
1:18; Revelation 6:2.) As order,
direction, and discipline are
necessary in an army, so are they
also in the church. The weapons used
and the objects sought are different
in each case (Romans 13:4; 2
Corinthians 10:3,4); but the
necessity for order and organization
are the same in both.
Division
of Responsibility
That the burden of
judging and looking after the affairs
of Israel might not all rest on
Moses, what instruction did Jethro,
his father-in-law, give him?
“But select
capable men from all the people
– men who fear God, trustworthy
men who hate dishonest gain –
and appoint them as officials over
thousands, hundreds, fifties, and
tens. Have them serve as judges for
the people all the times, but have
them bring difficult cases to you;
the simple cases they can decide
themselves. That will make your load
lighter, because they will share it
with you.” Exodus 18:21,22.
How
many apostles did Christ at first
ordain to preach the gospel?
“He appointed
twelve – designating them
apostles – that they might be
with him and that he might send them
out to preach.” Mark 3:14.
How
many did He later appoint to this
work?
“After this the
Lord appointed seventy-two
others and sent them two by two ahead
of him to every town and place where
he was about to go.” Luke 10:1.
When the number of the
disciples multiplied, what
instruction did the apostles give the
believers, that none might be
neglected in the daily ministration
of temporal necessities?
“Brother, choose
seven men from among you who are
known to be full of the Spirit and
wisdom. We will turn the
responsibility over to them.”
Acts 6:3.
Note – The men
thus selected were known as deacons.
The lesson to be learned from this is
that leaders and people should unite
in planning and providing for the
necessary organization and officering
of the church according to its growth
and needs. This cooperation is again
shown in the words of Paul,
“Whomever you will approve by
your letters, then I will send.”
1 Corinthians 16:3. (See also Acts
15:22.)
What word came through
the Spirit to the ministering
prophets and teachers laboring at
Antioch?
‘While they were
worshiping the Lord and fasting, The
Holy Spirit said, “Set apart
for me Barnabas and Saul for the work
to which I have called them.”
So after they had fasted and prayed,
they placed their hands on them and
sent them off.” Acts 13:2,3.
What
is one of the gifts that God has set
in the church?
“And in the
church God has appointed first of all
apostles, second prophets, third
teachers, then workers of miracles,
also having the gift of healing,
those able to help others, those with
gifts of administration, and
those speaking in different kinds of
tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:28.
Note – The word
here rendered administration implies
the work or office of “steering,
piloting, and directing.”
For what direction of
matters in each local church, what
instruction did the Apostle Paul give
Titus?
“The reason I
left you in Crete was that you might
straighten out what was left
unfinished and appoint elders in
every town, as I directed
you.” Titus 1:5.
Relationship
of Members and Leaders
What instruction
did he give to the members of the
church as to their relationship to
those thus appointed?
“Obey your
leaders and submit to their
authority. They keep watch over you
as men who must give account. Obey
them so that their work will be a
joy, not a burden, for that would be
no advantage to you.” Hebrews
13:17. (See 1 Peter 5:5; Mark
10:42-45.)
What
instruction and caution are given to
the elders?
“To the elders
among you, I appeal as a fellow
elder, a witness of Christ’s
sufferings and one who will also
share in the glory to be revealed: Be
shepherds of God’s flock that is
under your care, serving as overseers
– not because you must, but
because you are willing, as God wants
you to be; not greedy for money, but
eager to serve, not lording it over
these entrusted to you, but being
examples to the flock.” 1
Peter 5:1-3.
Note – For the
qualifications and duties of the
elders, see 1 Timothy 3:1-3; Titus
1:6-9; Acts 20:28-31; and the
scripture just quoted. How God
regards rebellion against divinely
appointed authority and leadership is
illustrated in the expulsion of Satan
and his angels from heaven, and in
the fate of Korah, Dathan, and
Abriram. (See Revelation 12:7-9;
Numbers 16.) The unity and harmony
which should exist among believers is
described in John 13:34, 35:
17:20-23; and Ephesians 4:1-6. The
evil of place seeking in the church
is shown in Mark 10:35-45 and Luke
14:7-11; and of ecclesiastical
tyranny, in Daniel 7:25; 8:24,25; 2
Thessalonians 2:3,4; and John 16:2.
The course to be pursued toward
offending members, and in cases where
differences arise, is pointed out in
Matthew 18:15-18; 5:23, 24; Galatians
6:1; 1 Timothy 5:19, 20; Titus 3:10,
11; 1 Corinthians 5; and Acts 15. And
the guidebook in all matters of both
doctrine and discipline should be the
Bible. (Isaiah 8:20; 2 Timothy 3:16,
17; 4:1,2.)
