Of the Office of Teacher and Deacon in the Church

Martyrs Mirror in Modern English

Of the True Church of God, Its Origin, Progress, and Immovable Stability, Through All Times

Of the Office of Teacher and Deacon in the Church

OF THE OFFICE OF TEACHER AND DEACON IN THE CHURCH; ALSO HOW THE ELECTION TO, AND THE CONFIRMATION IN, THESE OFFICES, MUST PROCEED, ACCORDING TO THE ORDINANCE OF GOD

A body consists of different members, each with its own special function, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, which makes the body grow so that it builds itself up. So it is with the church of God. For although every believer is a member of the body of Christ, not all are therefore pastors, teachers, elders, or deacons; these are the ones who have been properly appointed to such offices. For this reason the administration of these offices, such as the public preaching of the Word of God and the administering of the holy ordinances of baptism and the Supper, according to the institution of Christ and the usage of His apostles, belongs to persons thus ordained and elected to it, the pastors and teachers; just as it belongs to the deacons to provide for the needs of the poor. Romans 12, verse 4; First Corinthians 12, verse 12; Ephesians 4, verse 7; Acts 20, verse 28; Titus 1, verse 1; Romans 12, verse 7; Second Timothy 4, verse 2; First Peter 5, verse 2; Matthew 28; Mark 16; Acts 6; First Timothy 3, verse 8; 5, verse 9.

Concerning their calling and election to these offices, regard must be paid to the conditions required in those persons who will worthily fill these offices, according to the requirements of the apostle, First Timothy 3; Titus 1. To obtain these, the church must prepare herself with a devout fear, with fasting and prayer, and with constant calling on the name of God, so that He, as the discerner of all hearts, will show through the unanimous vote of the church whom He counts worthy of such an office; trusting that the Lord, who hears the prayers of those assembled in His name and grants the petition of the godly, will by His Holy Spirit show His cooperation and bring forward those whom He knows to be fit for this office. After they have been examined, they are then confirmed to this office before the church by the teachers, with the laying on of hands. Acts 1, verse 24; chapter 6; Luke 6, verse 8; Matthew 2, verse 8; First Timothy 3, verse 10; 4, verse 14; 5, verse 22; Second Timothy 1, verse 6.