Roles in Christianity?

Question

For my homework, I've been asked to develop a visual summary explaining the different roles in the early Christian community:

- Elders/Presbyters
- Bishop
- Apostles
- Deacons
- Prophets/Teachers
- Women

Can someone please explain how I'm meant to answer this question.

Answer 1

ELDERS
In each congregation, there are elders, or overseers. They take the lead in teaching in the congregation. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17) They are assisted by ministerial servants. (1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12, 13) These men are not elevated above the rest of the congregation. (2 Corinthians 1:24) They are not given special titles. (Matthew 23:8-10) They do not dress differently from others. Neither are they paid for their work. The elders willingly look after the spiritual needs of the congregation. They can provide comfort and guidance in times of trouble.—James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 5:2, 3.

OVERSEER(Bishop)

The Hebrew word for overseer, pa·qidh´, is drawn from the verb pa·qadh´, meaning “turn attention to” (Ge 21:1), “visit” (Jg 15:1), “appoint” (Ge 39:5), or “commission” (Ezr 1:2). Similarly, the Greek word for overseer, e·pi´sko·pos, is related to the verb e·pi·sko·pe´o, meaning “watch carefully” (Heb 12:15), and to the noun e·pi·sko·pe´, meaning “inspection” (Lu 19:44, Int; 1Pe 2:12), “office of overseer” (1Ti 3:1), or “office of oversight” (Ac 1:20). The Greek Septuagint renders the Hebrew word pa·qidh´ four times as e·pi´sko·pos. (Jg 9:28; Ne 11:9, 14, 22) Therefore, the overseer was one who gave attention to certain matters or persons, visiting, inspecting, and appointing. Protective supervision is a basic idea inherent in the Greek term.

DEACONS
In certain contexts, this Greek word di·a´ko·nos is used in a special restricted official sense, as at Philippians 1:1, where it is applied to certain persons in the Christian congregation who hold an appointive office, for it is there linked with others holding the office of overseer, or “bishop.” Thus we read: “Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in union with Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, along with overseers and ministerial servants [or, “deacons,” di·a´ko·noi].” The term is also used in this special sense at 1 Timothy 3:8, 12, where the apostle Paul lists the qualifications of such ministerial servants, or “deacons.”

The Greek word a·po´sto·los is derived from the common verb a·po·stel´lo, meaning simply “send forth (or off).” (Mt 10:5; Mr 11:3) Its basic sense is clearly illustrated in Jesus’ statement: “A slave is not greater than his master, nor is one that is sent forth [a·po´sto·los] greater than the one that sent him.” (Joh 13:16) In this sense the word also applies to Christ Jesus as “the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (Heb 3:1; compare Mt 10:40; 15:24; Lu 4:18, 43; 9:48; 10:16; Joh 3:17; 5:36, 38; 6:29, 57; 7:29; 8:42; 10:36; 11:42; 17:3, 8, 18, 21-25; 20:21.) Jesus was sent forth by God as his appointed and commissioned representative

PROPHET

One through whom divine will and purpose are made known. (Lu 1:70; Ac 3:18-21) Although the etymology of the Hebrew term for a prophet (na·vi´´) is uncertain, the use of this distinctive term shows that true prophets were no ordinary announcers but were spokesmen for God, ‘men of God’ with inspired messages. (1Ki 12:22; 2Ki 4:9; 23:17) They stood in God’s “intimate group,” and he revealed his “confidential matter” to them.—Jer 23:18; Am 3:7; 1Ki 17:1.

The Greek pro·phe´tes literally means “a speaker out [Gr., pro, “before” or “in front of,” and phe·mi´, “say”]” and thus describes a proclaimer, one who makes known messages attributed to a divine source. (Compare Tit 1:12.) Though this includes the thought of a predictor of the future, the fundamental meaning of the word is not that of prediction. (Compare Jg 6:7-10.) Nonetheless, living in harmony with God’s will requires that the individual know what Jehovah’s revealed purposes for the future are so that he may bring his ways, desires, and goals into line with the divine will. Hence, in the great majority of cases, the Biblical prophets did convey messages that were, directly or indirectly, related to the future.

WOMAN

An adult human female, one beyond the age of puberty. The Hebrew expression for woman is ´ish·shah´ (literally, a female man), which is also rendered “wife.” Similarly, the Greek term gy·ne´ is translated both “woman” and “wife.”

Creation. Before the man Adam ever asked for a human companion, God his Creator made provision. After placing Adam in the garden of Eden and giving him the law respecting the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, Jehovah said: “It is not good for the man to continue by himself. I am going to make a helper for him, as a complement of him.” (Ge 2:18) He did not oblige the man to go seeking a companion among the animals, but he brought the animals to Adam for naming. Adam was not inclined toward bestiality and was able to determine that there was no suitable companion for him among these. (Ge 2:19, 20) “Hence Jehovah God had a deep sleep fall upon the man and, while he was sleeping, he took one of his ribs and then closed up the flesh over its place. And Jehovah God proceeded to build the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman and to bring her to the man. Then the man said: ‘This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one will be called Woman, because from man this one was taken.’”—Ge 2:21-23

Answer 2

Elders -- Helped lead the church and make leadership decisions
Bishop -- Oversee the elders and make final decisions
Apostles -- Oversee Christianity overall, making sure that Biblical doctrine is being upheld
Deacons -- Handle the material and physical needs of the church
Prophets/Teachers -- Teach the people the Word of God and apply it to people's lives
Women -- Can be in any of the above roles except elder, bishop, apostle, or teacher

All must point people to faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation, the only way to get out of eternal hell.

A visual summary could be done by drawing an outline of the church, with Jesus at the top, and the apostles under him, the bishop under them, the elders under them, the teachers under them, the deacons under them, write next to each what they do, and then make sure to announce at the bottom that, though there are different positions, yet EVERYONE IS EQUAL in the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Answer 3

How do you think you are meant to do it? You know your teacher better than we do, and hopefully you have studied the material. I guess you could draw a picture of a church service and where everyone is. Or a chart.

Oh, alright, with all the bad advise that is here, I will have pity on you.
Apostles > Bishops >Presbyters (also known as priest) > Deacons >
That is the chain of command.

Teachers and Prophets can be from any of these groups. Women did not speak in church, but many of them hosted groups in their homes. Read about some of the New Testament woman for more information.

Answer 4

-Elders/Presbyters
Simply another term for priests.

- Bishop
The original apostles and their ordained successors. The rulers of the church, the original priests, and the designated teachers of all church doctrines and beliefs.

- Apostles
The original twelve men chosen by Christ to be his apprentices, minus Judas, who failed, plus Paul, who was later recruited. See bishops, above.

- Deacons
Ordained assistants to the bishops and priests, but with different, more limited duties, and lesser church authority.

- Prophets/Teachers
Either the apostles and bishops themselves, or those they specifically trained and authorized to teach.

- Women
Disciples and assistants to all of the above, but without benefit of any type of official holy orders (ordination).

Answer 5

well just what they do to serve the church look it up on the internet or talk to someone who goes to a local church like a sunday school teachers teach children in classes every sunday morning Deacons are kinda like people who are kinda in charge help the pastor i forget but i should know this!! apotales i really am not sure but i guess you could think of the Apostle Paul

Answer 6

In the Church services women were never to speak or have any part in the service besides singing. They would not be heard at all during the services. Generally they would have head coverings also. Teachers were instructing others about GOD's WORD prior to and after Church services were over. They were a part of the worship services in reading of scriptures, singing, some of them led singing, assisted with the Lord's Supper, and/or made announcements. Deacons were selected to help with the work of the Church. They were selected using the qualifications in the Books of 1 & 2 Timothy. They did much of the work that was necessary to keep things running in the church that they were selected in. Apostles were the ones who were selected by Christ and personally knew HIM. They helped to train, teach, and assisted with the Churches until the Elders & Deacons were in place to run their respective Churches. Elders/Presbyters were selected from the Deacons by Church members using the qualifications in the Books of 1 & 2 Timothy. They were in charge of seeing to it that members of their respective Churches were faithful and were not straying from GOD's WORD. Bishops were Elders that also Preached GOD's Word in HIS CHURCH. Every member of the LORD's CHURCH took part in the services there and were expected to attend services, to read, study, and obey HIS WORD each and every day of his/her life.

To become a real Christian, we are told that we must HEAR the WORD in John 6:45, Jesus said, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught by God. Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” We are also told so in Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. We are told the we must BELIEVE in Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. We are also told so in Mark 16:16, Jesus said “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” and in John 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. We are told that we must REPENT (or turn from sin) in Luke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Also in Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent. We are told to CONFESS CHRIST in Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. We are also told in 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. We are to be BAPTIZED according to Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” and Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. We are to CONTINUE to be FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH according to Revelation 2:10c Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. We also know that Paul wrote in Romans 14:12 each of us shall give account of himself to God. It is important that we not ignore what is written, change what is written, or add to what is written in the New Testament which is our Christian Guide. Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!
Thanks,
Eds


PS... Email me if you have additional questions.
Thanks,
Eds

Answer 7

Concordance maybe or look them up? in the BIBLE?