Answers to Questions for July

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 9
 
31. Because ordination was only for those who received their official place in the local assembly from the hands of man, as deacons and elders. (See Acts 6:5,7; Titus 1:5). On the other hand the pastor, evangelist, and teacher received their gift directly from the hand of. God without any human intervention at all; so they were never ordained. (See Gal. 1:1,15-17; 1 Cor. 12:18,28).
32. By voluntary contributions, either from individual Christians or from assemblies. (See Gal. 6:6; 1 Cor. 9:11, 14; Phil. 4:15-16)
33. The work of the elders (or bishops, see question 36) is to oversee and feed the flock of God. They are responsible for the welfare of the flock. (See 1 Peter 5:1-3; Acts 20:28.) The deacons were more concerned with serving the flock in temporal things, as finances, looking after the poor, etc. (See Acts 6:1-7.)
34. The apostles or certain individuals to whom the apostles directly delegated the authority for this work. (See Acts 6:6; Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23.)
35. Because we have neither apostles nor those to whom apostles gave authority to ordain elders. There will always be those in the assembly whom faith can recognize as elders, and who do the work of elders well and faithfully, but there is no authority now to confer on them the official office or title.