"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches
of the saints." 1 Cor. 14:33. See 1 Cor. 11:16.
2. Why did Paul give instruction to Timothy concerning the duties and qualifications
of bishops and deacons?
"These things write I unto thee, . . . 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 [margin, stay] of the truth." I Tim. 3:14,15.
3. How should everything pertaining to God's work be done?
"Let all things be done decently and in order." 1 Cor. 14:40.
NOTE.-"Order is heaven's first law."- Milton. In the Scriptures Christians
are likened to soldiers, and their work to that of a warrior, or to a conqueror going
forth to conquer. 2 Tim. 2:3,4; 1 Tim. 1:18; Rev. 6:2. As order, organization, direction,
and discipline are necessary in an army, so are they also in the church. The weapons used
and the object sought are different in each case (Rom. 13:4; 2 Cor. 10:3.4); but the
necessity for order and organization are the same in both.
4. What is one prime essential of soldiers in an army?
"All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to
Hebron, to make David king over all Israel." 1 Chron. 12:38.
5. That the burden of judging and looking after the affairs of Israel might not all
rest on Moses, what instruction did Jethro, his father-in-law, give him?
"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. 18:21,22.
6. How many apostles did Christ at first ordain to preach the gospel?
"And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might
send them forth to preach." Mark 3:14.
7. How many did He later appoint to this work?
"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them
two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would
come." Luke 10:1.
8. When the number of the disciples multiplied, what instruction did the apostles
give the believers, that none might be neglected in the daily ministration of temporal
necessities?
"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 6:3.
NOTE.-The men thus selected were known as deacons. The lesson to be learned from this
is that leaders and people should unite in planning and providing for the necessary
organization and officering of the church according to its growth and needs. This
cooperation is again shown in the words of Paul, "Whomsoever ye shall approve by your
letters, them will I send." 1 Cor. 16:3. See also Acts 15:22.
9. What word came through the Spirit to the ministering prophets and teachers
laboring at Antioch?
"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me
Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted
and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." Acts 13:2,3.
10. What is one of the gifts which God has set in the church?
"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets,
thirdly teachers, after that . . . helps, governments." 1 Cor. 12:28.
NOTE.-The word here rendered governments implies the work or office of
"steering, piloting, directing."
11. For the direction of matters in each local church, what instruction did the
apostle Paul give to Titus?
"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things
that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee."
Titus 1:5.
12. What instruction did he give to the members of the church as to their
relationship to those thus appointed?
