Tag: deacons
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Church is About the Gospel, Not Our Agendas
Hebrews 10 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; Holding fast Jesus paid the only offering necessary for our salvation and citizenship in His kingdom. Therefore, it is our great liberty to approach God. God has not given us burden upon burden…
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Redemption From Religious Burdens: Considering the Gospel of Freedom Against Strange Doctrine in 1 Timothy
We have seen the character qualities we should all strive for in life and ministry. If we are to summarize all the qualifications into one word, I think it should be selflessness. We don’t want to be the types of people who gain for ourselves, whether that be monetarily, positionally, or emotionally. That’s why we…
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The Congregation in View: Reflecting on 1 Timothy 3 for Transitional Churches
We tend to stop after we read the qualifications for pastors and deacons. We stop directly after reading the qualifications because we are reading with the intent to judge others. Doubtless we want pastors and deacons whose character is reflected in 1 Timothy 3. We want pastors and deacons who sincerely love the congregation, are…
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A Biblical Consideration of Ordination for Ministry in the Modern Church
Would you recommend some resources about ordination? I remember the day I was ordained. It was a Spring day after having been before a counsel of local pastors for the purpose of examination. I stood before my local church in Durham, North Carolina to be affirmed by the entire congregation. It was a sweet moment.…
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Ordination- Exodus 29:1-9
Aaron and his sons are ordained for their priestly ministry. The phrase translated as ordain, here (ומלאת יד–אהרן ייד–בניו), literally means to fill the hand of Aaron and his sons. The earliest mention of a type of ordination by the people of anyone to any kind of ministry in Scripture literally means that through ordination,…
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Desire Prophecy, Don’t Forbid Speaking in Tongues
Paul is writing to the local church at Corinth in order to admonish the congregation toward unity in the faith—unity through maturity. He is currently addressing the practice of spiritual gifts—particularly those of prophecy and speaking in tongues. He has admonished the local church to prioritize love, which edifies. He has also instructed the congregation…
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Why We Fail At Discipleship
My wife and I really love pizza. There was a period of her pregnancy during which her doctor told her that she shouldn’t eat heavy meals, bread, or much sugar. I was going to attempt this diet with her. The problem? We really love pizza! One day, the craving was so bad that we found…