C H U R C H S T R U C T U R E

1 · I n t r o d u c t i o n · E l d e r s / O v e r s e e r s / S h e p h e r d s

Comment Scripture

There are 3 functional levels in a Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, Php
1:1-2
Church church: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers [G1985,
Offices EΠICKOΠOC, episkopos, a superintendent, overseer] and deacons:
1. Overseers 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Deacons (Assistants to 1.)
3. Saints (Congregation)

There are tasks related to 11And He Himself gave some as apostles [G652 AΠOCTOΛOC, apostolos] and some as Eph
4:11-16
Spiritual Gifts (separate study; prophets [ΠPOΦHTHC, prophetes] and some as evangelists [G2099, EYAΓΓEΛICTAC,
some gifts may have changed): euaggelistas] and some as pastors [G4165 ΠOIMAINⲰ, poimaino, to tend as a
shepherd, rule, pastor] and teachers [G1320, ΔIΔACKAΛOC, didaskalos, instructor,
1. Apostles teacher] 12for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for building up the
2. Evangelists body of Christ, 13until we all reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of
3. Prophets God, to a mature man, to a measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ, 14so that we
4. Teachers may no longer be infants, tossed about by waves and carried about by every wind of
teaching, by the trickery of people, by craftiness with reference to the scheming of deceit.
et al. 15But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who
is the head, Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by
every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the
growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.

Each church has to consist of a plurality of elders / overseers who shepherd the flock. Nowhere in Scripture do we find a single
1. pastor for one local assembly. The words 'PRESBUTEROS' (Elder), 'EPISKOPOS' (Overseer), 'POIMAINO' (Shepherd / Pastor) all
Elders / refer to the same office (see the passages marked in green, which show the overlapping and interchangeable use of those terms).
Overseers / Now in the church at Antioch there were [5, five] prophets and teachers: [1] Barnabas, [2] Simeon called Niger, [3] Lucius of Act
13:1-3
Cyrene, [4] Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and [5] Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and
Shepherds
(Pastors)
fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3And after they had
fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
[General & vague reference, but a good reminder how a pastor can avoid burn-out:] And I have turned, and I see a vain Ecc
4:12
thing under the sun: There is one, and there is not a second; even son or brother he hath not, and there is no end to all his labour!
His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], ‘For whom am I labouring and bereaving my soul of good?’ This also is
vanity, it is a sad travail. The two [are] better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labour. For if they fall, the
one raiseth up his companion, but woe to the one who falleth and there is not a second to raise him up! Also, if two lie down, then
they have heat, but how hath one heat? And if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is
not hastily broken.
[General & vague reference:] And after these things, the Lord did appoint also other seventy, and sent them by twos before his Luk
10:1-2
face, to every city and place whither he himself was about to come, then said he unto them, ‘The harvest indeed [is] abundant,
but the workmen few; beseech ye then the Lord of the harvest, that He may put forth workmen to His harvest.

EPISKOPOS: a superintendent, an Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has Act
20:28
overseer appointed you as overseers, to shepherd [G4165 ΠOIMAINⲰ, poimaino, to tend as a
shepherd, to feed (cattle), rule, pastoring] the church of God which he obtained
G1980(a) EΠICKEΠTOMAI, episkeptomai:
to look upon, inspect, visit, look out,
through the blood of his own Son.
select. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires overseership, he desires a noble task. 1Tim
3:1-7
2Therefore the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-
G1984, EΠICKOΠH, episkope, From
episkeptomai: inspection, minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not a drunkard, not
superintendence; specially, the Christian violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own
"episcopate", visitation. household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5for if someone does
not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6He
G1985, EΠICKOΠOC, episkopos, From epi
(on, upon) and skopos (watchman): a must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the
superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that
genitive case charge of a (or the) church he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
(literally or figuratively), overseer.
For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or Tit
1:7-9
quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of
good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the
trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine
and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

PRESBUTEROS: an elder Paul and Barnabas appointed elders [plural] for them in each church, praying and Act
14:23
fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
G4245 ΠPECBYTEPOC, presbuteros: an
elder, aged person And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, Act
15:2-23
along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders
G4850 CYMΠPECBYTEPOC, about this question. [...] 4On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the
sumpresbuteros: a fellow elder.
church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through
them. 5But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The
Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.” 6So the apostles
and elders met to look into this matter. [...] 22Then the apostles and elders, with the
whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and
Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers,
23and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the
brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions [Jerusalem Council] Act
16:4
handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. Act 20:17

When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us joyfully. The next day Paul Act
21:18
went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present. 19Paul greeted them and
recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his
ministry.
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard 1Tim
5:17-19
at preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is
treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.” 19Do not entertain
an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
... appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the Tit
1:5-7
husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to
accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. 7As God’s steward, an overseer [G1984,
EΠICKOΠH, episkope, superintendence] must be above reproach ...
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders [plural] of the church to pray over him Jam
5:14
and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
So I exhort the elders [G4245] among you, as a fellow elder [G4850] and a witness of 1Pet
5:1-5
the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under
compulsion, but willingly ...

POIMAINO: a shepherd Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Joh
21:16-17
“Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.”
G4165 ΠOIMAINⲰ, poimaino: to Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
shepherd, rule, pastor
17Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”
G4166, ΠOIMHN, poimen, a shepherd, Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?”
feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.”
men.
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has Act
20:28
appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he obtained through
the blood of his own Son.
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be Eph
4:11
evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for works of
ministry and to build up the body of Christ, 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in
the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of
Christ.
So I exhort the elders [G4245 ΠPECBYTEPOC, presbuteros: an elder] among you, as a 1Pet
5:1-5
fellow elder [G4850 CYMΠPECBYTEPOC, sumpresbuteros: a fellow elder] and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be
revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under
compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And
when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you,
with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the
humble.”

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 C H U R C H S T R U C T U R E
2 · D e a c o n s / M i n i s t e r s / S e r v a n t s

Comment Scripture

DIAKONEO: a minister So He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve them. Mat 8:15

2. It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you Mat
G1247, ΔIAKONEⲰ, diakoneo: to serve, 20:26
Deacons / minister (unto), attendant, patron. must be your servant ...
Ministers / ... just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a Mat
G1248, ΔIAKONIA, diakonia: attendance, 20:28
Servants office, service, ministry, ministering. ransom for many.”
And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or Mat
G1249, ΔIAKONOC, diakonos: a servant, 25:44
minister, administrator.
naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
... and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, Mar
1:13
and the angels ministered to Him.
In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among Act
6:1
them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being
overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living Act
11:29
in Judea.
He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed for a time Act
19:22
in the province of Asia.
For [secular] rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be Rom
13:3-4
unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.
4For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not
carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord 1Cor
3:5-9
assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who
plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants
and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we
are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4but 2Cor
6:3-10
as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions,
hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;
6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7by truthful
speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and
for the left; 8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as
impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we
live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet
making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the 2Cor
8:19-20
offering - the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our
eagerness to help. We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous
gift.
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he 1Pet
4:10-11
has received to serve one another. 11If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying
the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that
in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the
power forever and ever. Amen.

Women are not allowed to serve as elders / pastors / overseers, but are absolutely essential to serve as deacons / patrons /
Women As assistants, who naturally don't teach or exercise authority, but are highly regarded in their specific roles as patrons.
Deacons &
A woman ought not to teach. "Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12I do not permit a woman to teach 1Tim
Prophets 2:11-15
[G1321, ΔIΔACKⲰ, didasko, to teach] or to exercise authority over a man [G435 ANHP,
aner; a man, fellow, husband, sir]; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13For Adam was
But Not As
formed first, then Eve; 14and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and
Elders! became a transgressor. 15Yet she will be saved through childbearing - if they continue in
faith and love and holiness, with self-control."

But 1Timothy 3 adds verse 11, "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer [G1984 1Tim
3:1-15
where the requirements for EΠICKOΠH, episkope, superintendence, elder, inspection, oversight], he desires a
women in this role are addressed. noble task. 2Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one woman,
Elders

When we look at the first verses sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not a drunkard,
of 1Timothy 3, we notice the not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his
absence of such a verse in the own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5for if someone
description of an elder. This is does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?
the often overlooked key for [...]
differentiating between male / 8Deacons [G1249 ΔIAKONOC, an attendant, a waiter, deacon, minister, servant]
female deacons, and male only likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy
elders. for dishonest gain. 9They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove
The wording 'the husband of themselves blameless.
one woman' does occur in both
descriptions, but does not ex- 11Women [not 'wives' in this case, G1135 ΓYNH, gune] likewise must be dignified, not
Deacons

clude women from being dea- slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. [very often overlooked: this verse
cons because of the specific is not included in the description of an overseer between verses 1 and 2, but in the
mention in verse 11. description of a deacon only!]
12Let deacons each be the husband of one woman [or wife, G1135 ΓYNH, gune],
managing their children and their own households well. 13For those who serve well as
deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that
is in Christ Jesus. 14I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so
that, 15if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God,
which is the church of the living God ..."

The following verses clearly And many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Mat
27:55
affirm female deacons: Galilee to minister [G1247, ΔIAKONEⲰ, diakoneo] to Him.
Joanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These Luk
8:3
women were ministering [G1247, ΔIAKONEⲰ, diakoneo] to them out of their own
means.
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant [G1249 ΔIAKONOC, an attendant, a Rom
16:1-16
waiter, deacon, minister, servant] of the church at Cenchreae, 2that you may welcome
her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need
from you, for she has been a patron [G4368, ΠPOCTATIC, prostatis, patroness,
assistant, succorer, supporter] of many and of myself as well.
3Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4who risked their necks for
my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as
well.
5Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first
convert to Christ in Asia.
6Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.
7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known
to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.
8Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.
10Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.
Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.
11Greet my kinsman Herodion.
Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.
12Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa.
Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.
13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.
14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with
them.
15Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are
with them.
16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

There are servants of satan, and So it is no surprise if his servants [G1249 ΔIAKONOΙ, an attendant, a waiter, deacon, 2Cor
11:15
there are servants of Christ. minister, servant], also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end
will correspond to their deeds.

The following verses further Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the Exo
15:20
affirm female prophetesses: women followed her with tambourines and dancing.
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. Jdg 4:4

So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went and spoke to Huldah 2Kin
22:14
the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the keeper of the
wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.
So Hilkiah and those the king had designated went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, 2Chr
34:22
the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe. She
lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.
... And I had relations with the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. The Isa
8:1-4
LORD said to me, “Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, Luk
2:36-37
who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, and then was a
widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day,
fasting and praying.
He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Act 21:9

Women Are -NOT- To Remain Silent In Churches!

Most translations of the "As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For 1Cor
14:33-34
Inter- famous verse of 1Cor 14:33-34 they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there
are insufficient: is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful
polation for a woman to speak in church."
1Cor 14:33-34
As seen in Mat 5:27-28, the word
ΓYNAIKA does rather refer to a wife. This
is especially made clear by the addition of
'husbands' in the next verse. The word
behind 'silent' (G4601 CIΓATⲰCAN,
sigatosan) can according to Strong's
dictionary be translated as to 'hold
peace'. This is also the only reasonable
translation in the context of this verse.
The proper translation should The ['Your' in some manuscripts] wives must hold peace in the churches. For it is not
read: permitted to them to speak [could also mean to shout or to utter / argue, most
probably to speak in an argumentative way with their husband] but to be subject [to
their husbands] as the law also says.
But those verses are possibly [1]
Spurious
interpolated and are not original
texts: 1 Cor
to the biblical text, 14:33-35

as explained in detail in this article [#1]

and in this more detailed comment [#2]
based on the research through scholars
such as Gordon D. Fee, Philip B. Payne
[#3], Straatman, Fitzer, Barrett, and
Rueft.

The entire context of the paragraph is

[2] Stack-
about prophecy, and we have seen above
exchange
that women are not only allowed, but
actually instructed to prophecy
(whenever the Lord truly speaks through
one of them; but no women as teachers,
elders or pastors!).
Fuldensis,
Possibly some of the early church fathers
Sigla for
(Bishop Victor?) found it useful to insert
Variants in
this into the Bible, in order to have order
Vaticanus,
in their churches and to silence those
and 1 Cor
women who would audibly argue with
14.34–5
their husbands.

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 C H U R C H S T R U C T U R E
3 · D i s c i p l e s / S a i n t s

Comment Scripture

When formulating plans or Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Act
13:1-3
3. making a decision, the elders, Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and
Disciples / along with other spiritual men, Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart
ought to come before the Lord for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3And after they had
Saints in prayer until the Holy Spirit fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
speaks and brings them to a And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along Act
consensus. with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this 15:2-23

question. [...] 6So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter. [...] 22Then the
apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to
send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.

EKKLESIA: the church ... and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met Act
11:26
together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first
G1577, EKKΛHCIA, ekklesia: an assembly,
called Christians at Antioch.
a (religious) congregation, the church,
the whole body of Christian believers. When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done Act
14:27
through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
▶ see also the study 'Church History'
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, 1Cor
12:28
then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and
various tongues.

PISTOS: believers Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, 1Tim
4:12
in love, in faith, in purity.
G3101, ΠΙϹΤΌϹ, mathetes: trustworthy,
faithful, believing.

ADELPHOS: brethren So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect Act
6:2-6
the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3Therefore, brothers, select from among you
G80, ΠΙϹΤΌϹ, adelphos: a brother,
seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this
member of the same religious
community, especially a fellow- responsibility to them 4and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the
Christian. word.” 5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith
and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and
Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6They presented these seven to the apostles,
who prayed and laid their hands on them.
The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, and he tried to reconcile Act
7:26
them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’
The apostles and brothers throughout Judea soon heard that the Gentiles also had Act
11:1
received the word of God.
Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting Act
15:3
the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.
But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is 1Cor
5:11
sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With
such a man do not even eat.
I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 1The 5:27

Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. 2The 3:15

For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Heb
2:11
Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the Heb
3:1
apostle and high priest whom we confess.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds ... Jam 1:2

NEOPHUTOS: recent converts This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer [...] 6He must not be a 1Tim
3:6
recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the
G3504, ΝΕΌΦΥΤΟϹ, neophutos: (lit:
devil.
newly-planted), newly converted to
Christianity, recent convert.

PROSELYTON: converts

G4339, ΠΡΟϹΉΛΥΤΟϹ, proselutos: (lit: rather refers to converts to Judaism only

that has come to), a proselyte, that is a (Mat 23:15, Act 2:10, Act 6:5, Act 13:43)
non-Jew, who has been circumcised and
has adopted the Jews' religion.

METHETES: disciples Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A Mat
10:22-24
disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
G3101, MAΘHTHC, mathetes: a learner,
disciple, pupil. In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among Act
6:1-7
them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being
overlooked in the daily distribution of food. [...] So the word of God continued to spread.
The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became
obedient to the faith.
... The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. Act 11:26

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. Act
19:1-2
There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit ...
We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit Act
21:4
they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

SUNERGOS: fellow workers Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus ... Rom 16:3

G4904, ϹΥΝΕΡΓΌϹ, sunergos: a fellow

Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my Rom
16:21
worker, associate, helper. fellow countrymen.
But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, Php
2:25
and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.

HAGIOS: saints ... tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. Mat 27:52
G40, ΑΓΙΟϹ, hagios: set apart by (or for)
God, holy, sacred.
... Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. Mar
6:20
When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed ...
But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm Act
9:13
he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
... She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41Peter took her by the hand and Act
9:40-41
helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive.
... With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison ... Act 26:10

And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit Rom
8:27
intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. Rom 12:13

Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there. Rom 15:25

Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with Rom 16:15
them.
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, 1Cor
1:2
together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their
Lord and ours ..
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, 1Cor
6:2
are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and Rev
14:12
the faith of Jesus.

Functions Related to Spiritual Gifts

G652, AΠOCTOΛOC, apostolos: ▶ see study 'Spiritual Gifts'

a messenger, one sent on a
mission, an apostle.

G2099, EYAΓΓEΛICTAC, ▶ see study 'Spiritual Gifts' Spiritual

Gifts
euaggelistas: an evangelist,
a bringer of good news.

G1320, ΔIΔACKAΛOC, ▶ see study 'Spiritual Gifts'

didaskalos: instructor, teacher.

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