"These [in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." - Acts 17:11
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(9) For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. (10) According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

New King James Version copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

If God places us within an office in the church—as an elder or a deacon—it must be looked upon as a blessing that is a responsibility, not a reward! It is given for God's purposes. Paul even had his office as apostle because it was given to him. It is implied that all the powers to perform it were also given. He used them to lay the foundation.

Everybody else is the same way. The important thing is that each one of us must use our gifts to build. Paul says, "Be careful how you build." The foundation that was laid is Jesus Christ. When we begin to expand on it, it consists of the apostles and the prophets as well—the things that they wrote and the examples that they set. Everybody is to build on the same foundation! God gives everybody the gifts to enable them to do so.

To some, God gives gifts to be apostles; to others, He gives gifts to be an evangelist, pastor, teacher, or whatever. They are given, though, and every time God gives an office, He gives all that is needed for the person to fulfill that office—including overcoming sin.

The Bible consistently teaches that an office is not a place from which to exercise power, but a position from which to exercise service. The authority is certainly there, since God gives it. He always gives the authority to go with the office, but having it means that the elder or deacon must also have the right perspective on how to use the office God has given him. The office is given, not earned.

— John W. Ritenbaugh

To learn more, see:
Grace Upon Grace



 

Topics:

Apostle

Apostle, Function of

Blessing

Building Analogy

Building Metaphor

Building on a Foundation

Deacons

Elder

Elder, Function of

Evangelist

Evangelist, Function of

Foundation as Metaphor

Foundation, Building on a

Gifts

Gifts Edify Church

Gifts of God

Grace

Minister

Ministry

Ministry, Function of

Pastor

Pastor's Responsibility

Responsibility

Responsibility, Sense of

Servant

Servant Attitude

Service

Serving Others

Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual Gifts, Abuse of

Spiritual Gifts, Neglect of

Teachers, Role of




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