Order in the Church

The church of Christ is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Eph. 2:20-22. "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." 1 Cor. 14:33.

The Lord established order in "the church in the wilderness." "Very soon after leaving Egypt they were organized and most thoroughly disciplined. God had in His special providence qualified Moses to stand at the head of the armies of Israel. He had been a mighty warrior to lead the armies of the Egyptians, and in generalship he could not be surpassed by any man."—Gospel Workers, p. 158.

The Lord's plan in establishing order in both Old and New Testament times seems to proceed on the ground expressed by the apostle Paul when instructing Titus, "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting." Titus 1:5. This is equivalent to saying, "As you look over the situation you will see the needs of the work, and what is required far its successful management; supply the demand by establishing what is needed."

We read of the order established among the Israelites: "God did not leave His holy tabernacle to be borne, erected, and taken down indiscriminately by any tribe who might choose this office, but persons were chosen who would appreciate the sacredness of the work in which they were engaged."

"The travels of the children of Israel are faithfully described; the deliverance which the Lord wrought for them, their perfect organization and special order, their sin in murmuring against Moses, and thus against God, their transgressions, their rebellions, their punishments, their carcasses strewn in the wilderness because of their unwillingness to submit to God's wise arrangements,—this faithful picture is hung up before us as a warning, lest we follow their example of disobedience, and fall like them.

"He is as particular now as He was then, and He designs that we should learn lessons of order and organization from the perfect order instituted in the days of Moses for the benefit of the children of Israel."—Gospel Workers, pp. 158 160.

The good counsel given by Jethro, as he saw a necessity for dividing among the people the great burden that rested upon Moses, was recognized by the Lord and the people, as we see by reading Num. 11:16, 17, and Deut. 1:9-19. Jethro said: "This thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.. . . Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God; and thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens; and let them judge the people at all seasons; and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge; so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee." Ex. 18:18-22.

One of the first points in gospel order established by the apostolic church was in connection with the events immediately following the day of Pentecost: "There arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business."Acts 6:1-3. These men were chosen and ordained to take charge of the business affairs of a local church. Such persons, in other portions of the Scripture, are called deacons. The word "diakonos," rendered "deacon," is defined, "Ministry in the church, deaconship, the office of collecting and distributing alms to the poor, or inquiring into, and relieving, their wants."—Greenfield.

The apostles would have us know "that the head of every man is Christ" (1 Cor. 11:3), that we are to seek to Him in all things for guidance, yet they found it needful to have officers in the church. When writing to Timothy respecting the proper qualifications and selection of such officers, Paul said this was done "that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." 1 Tim. 3:14, 15.

Concerning apostolic times we read: "The church was in danger in the apostles' days of being imposed upon and deceived by false teachers. Therefore the brethren chose men who had given good evidence that they were capable of ruling well their own house, and preserving order in their own families, and who could enlighten those who were in darkness. Inquiry was made of God concerning these, and then, according to the mind of the church and the Holy Ghost, they were set apart by the laying on of hands."

"We should take as special measures as they did to secure the peace, harmony, and union of the flock. We have their example, and should follow it."—Early Writings (supplement to "Experience and Views"), pp. 15, 16.

To those placed as teachers and leaders in the church, the Lord has said, "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that can not be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no "evil thing to say of you." Titus 2:7, 8.