OVERSEEING THE FLOCK


 


OVERSEEING THE FLOCK

 

No matter with whom you speak, they will typically tell you that the “Body of Christ” is just that… THE BODY OF CHRIST… it belongs to Him!

 

If it is, indeed, HIS… then, why not do things HIS WAY?

 

To whom was Paul speaking when he said, “…take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you OVERSEERS, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”(Acts20:28NKJV)?

 

Acts20:17 provides the answer: “…he sent to Ephesus and called for the ELDERS of the church.” [presbýteros – properly, a mature man having seasoned judgment (experience); an elder.]

 

1Pet5:1-2NKJV “THE ELDERS who are among you I exhort…

1.         SHEPHERD (feed) THE FLOCK OF GOD which is among you,

2.         SERVING AS OVERSEERS (bishops)

 

1Tim5:17NKJV “Let THE ELDERS who RULE WELL be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”

 

So… ELDERS are to…

1.         RULE (proistemi: To lead, to manage, to rule, to care for)

2.         SHEPHERD (poimaino: feed)

3.         OVERSEE (episkope: superintend, inspect for relief, bishop)

 

1Tim3:1-7NKJV clearly defines the qualifications of the WORK of an OVERSEER

…HE MUST:

·       be blameless, the husband of one wife, circumspect, temperate,

·       sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach,

·       not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

·       gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous,

·       one who rules his own house well, having his own children in submission with all reverence

·       (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)

·       not a novice… having a good testimony among those who are outside

                 

Titus1:5–16KJV  “…set in order the things that are wanting, and ORDAIN (set down permanently) ELDERS…

            …IN EVERY CITY…

                      ...IN EVERY CHURCH (Acts14:23)

 

 

And… If ANY of you are sick… who ya gonna call? “the ELDERS of the church” (Jas5:14-15)

 

 

1Cor12:28(AV): “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, GOVERNMENTS, diversities of tongues.”

 

[GOVERNMENTS -  kubernasis [from kubernao to steer] pilotage; directorship]

 

These are not in hierarchal order. It is a listing of timing and usage.

Example: You will discover those who HELP BEFORE you find who will be apt to pilot.

 

WHY? “…whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all.” (Mk10:44ASV)

 

 

So… according to the above… are apostles, prophets, or teachers… or pastors GOVERNMENTS?

 

 

 

ALSO… if it is to be On earth as in heaven:

Who are crowned and seated around the throne? “twenty-four ELDERS” (Rev4:4)

 

 

So… who does Jesus desire to to OVERSEE THE FLOCK?

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