ABSCO
Ordained of the Ecclesia
Volume 6:
Pages 273 – 289
More references on the
next page.
1) Discuss the ecclesia
-
Its
meaning, purpose
-
How
is this arrangement to be used to interpret the Lord’s will
2) Discuss the different types of ordination
in the history of the Church
(John
-
Consider:
Young’s Analytical / Strong’s
-
Discuss
examples
o
Apostles
o
Titus,
others
3) Ordaining Elders
-
What
are the responsibilities (job description) of an Elder?
o
Would
it be appropriate to elect an Elder to fill only certain roles?
-
What
are the qualifications to be elected? Are any perfectly qualified?
-
Are
there minimum requirements?
3) Who May Elect Elders and How
-
Who
are voting members of the ecclesia? Are there exceptions?
-
Discuss
nominations vs. 1/3 balloting. (R 5350)
-
Discuss
benefits of having a secret voting process for elections? (Vol
6: 281-282)
-
Discuss
the benefits of using the stretching forth of the hand?
o
What
are the challenges of stretching forth
the hand?
4) Ordaining of Deacons and Deaconesses
(1 Tim 3:8-13, Rom 16:3, 9; Vol 6 p. 267 & 282, Question
Book p. 200)
-
What
was the original role of deacons ordained to serve?
-
Was
it an oversight of female servants when only men were selected for the original
70?
-
Discuss
the role of Lieutenant in an ecclesia setting. (R 5984)
5) "Clergy" and "Laity"
-
Discuss
a brief history of the Priest-craft
-
Discuss
the spirit of Antichrist as it relates to this subject
-
Can
this Clergy-Laity concept ever happen today to the Bible Student movement?
6) Majorities not Sufficient
-
For
those who are being elected for an office, what should be the attitude regarding
a majority or nearly unanimous vote?
-
Discuss
majority, 75% and unanimous voting. (R5336)
-
Discuss
rounding up/rounding down in vote tallies.
7) A Paid Ministry?
-
Could
an ecclesia choose to pay an elder or servant?
-
In
what ways could this conflict with the voting/election process in the ecclesia?
-
Discuss
related examples from the scriptures.
Starter references:
Primary: Volume 6,
Chapter 5 - The Organization of the New Creation
MISC REPRINT ARTICLES
R. 5981 - The Hour of Temptation
R. 5955 - Danger in Spiritual Pride
R. 5921 - Love in the Classes
R. 5793 - Proper Basis of Honor in the Church
R. 5350 - Electing Elders and Deacons
R. 5336 - Choosing Elders and Deacons
R. 3171 - Responsibilities of Eldership
R. 3745 - Infallibility and Church Eldership
R. 3613 - Not Holding the Head
R. 1889 - Decently and In Order
R. 407 -
The Ekklesia
R. 5984 - Pastoral Work
R. 5704 - “Serious Faults Need Correction”
ELDERS
Eph 4: 4, 5; Eph 4:11-13; Matt
23:2, 6-8; 2 Tim 2:24, 25; 1 Tim 5:17 (Diaglott); 1 Thes 5:12, 13; John 15:16;
1 Tim 2:7; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:7-9; Gal 1:1; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Gal
6:6; Rom 12:6-8;
DEACONS
1 Tim 3:8-13; Matt
(Greek word diakonos also
used in 2 Cor 6:4; 2 Cor
3:5,6)
DEACONESSES
Rom 16:3, 9; Vol 6 p 267, 282; R 4313, QB p 200
*Women in the Church – Vol. 6 Chap. 5; Tabernacle Shadows p 102-103
Please
bring additional references to contribute