Ministers

Called by God Exodus 28:1; Hebrews 5:4
Qualified by God Isaiah 6:5-7; 2 Corinthians 3:5,6
Commissioned by Christ Matthew 28:19
Sent by the Holy Spirit Acts 13:2,4
Have authority from God 2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10
Authority of, is for edification 2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10
Separated to the gospel Romans 1:1
Entrusted with the gospel 1 Thessalonians 2:4
DESCRIBED AS
- Ambassadors for Christ 2 Corinthians 5:20
- Ministers of Christ 1 Corinthians 4:1
- Stewards of the mysteries of God 1 Corinthians 4:1
- Defenders of the faith Philippians 1:7
- The servants of Christ's people 2 Corinthians 4:5
Specially protected by God 2 Corinthians 1:10
Necessity for Matthew 9:37,38; Romans 10:14
Excellency of Romans 10:15
Labours of, vain, without God's blessing 1 Corinthians 3:7; 15:10
Compared to earthen vessels 2 Corinthians 4:7
SHOULD BE
- Pure Isaiah 52:11; 1 Timothy 3:9
- Holy Exodus 28:36; Leviticus 21:6; Titus 1:8
- Humble Acts 20:19
- Patient 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:24
- Blameless 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7
- Willing Isaiah 6:8; 1 Peter 5:2
- Disinterested 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:6
- Impartial 1 Timothy 5:21
- Gentle 1 Thessalonians 2:7; 2 Timothy 2:24
- Devoted Acts 20:24; Philippians 1:20,21
- Strong in grace 2 Timothy 2:1
- Self-denying 1 Corinthians 9:27
- Sober, just, and temperate Leviticus 10:9; Titus 1:8
- Hospitable 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8
- Apt to teach 1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24
- Studious and meditative 1 Timothy 4:13,15
- Watchful 2 Timothy 4:5
- Prayerful Ephesians 3:14; Philippians 1:4
- Strict in ruling their own families 1 Timothy 3:4,12
- Affectionate to their people Philippians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:8,11
- Ensample to the flock Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3
SHOULD NOT BE
- Lords over God's heritage 1 Peter 5:3
- Greedy of filthy lucre Acts 20:33; 1 Timothy 3:3,8; 1 Peter 5:2
- Contentious 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7
- Crafty 2 Corinthians 4:2
- Men-pleasers Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4
- Easily dispirited 2 Corinthians 4:8,9; 6:10
- Entangled by cares Luke 9:60; 2 Timothy 2:4
- Given to wine 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7
Should seek the salvation of their flock 1 Corinthians 10:33
Should avoid giving unnecessary offence 1 Corinthians 10:32,33; 2 Corinthians 6:3
Should make full proof of their ministry 2 Timothy 4:5
ARE BOUND TO
- Preach the gospel to all Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:17
- Feed the Church Jeremiah 3:15; John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2
- Build up the Church 2 Corinthians 12:19; Ephesians 4:12
- Watch for souls Hebrews 13:17
- Pray for their people Joel 2:17; Colossians 1:9
- Strengthen the faith of their people Luke 22:32; Acts 14:22
- Teach 2 Timothy 2:2
- Exhort Titus 1:9; 2:15
- Warn affectionately Acts 20:31
- Rebuke Titus 1:13; 2:15
- Comfort 2 Corinthians 1:4-6
- Convince gainsayers Titus 1:9
- War a good warfare 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:7
- Endure hardness 2 Timothy 2:3
SHOULD PREACH
- Christ crucified Acts 8:5,35; 1 Corinthians 2:2
- Repentance and faith Acts 20:21
- According to the oracles of God 1 Peter 4:11
- Everywhere Mark 16:20; Acts 8:4
- Not with enticing words of man's wisdom 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:1,4
- Not setting forth themselves 2 Corinthians 4:5
- Without deceitfulness 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:3,5
- Fully, and without reserve Acts 5:20; 20:20,27; Romans 15:19
- With boldness Isaiah 58:1; Ezekiel 2:6; Matthew 10:27,28
- With plainness of speech 2 Corinthians 3:12
- With zeal 1 Thessalonians 2:8
- With constancy Acts 6:4; 2 Timothy 4:2
- With consistency 2 Corinthians 1:18,19
- With heedfulness 1 Timothy 4:16
- With good will and love Philippians 1:15-17
- With faithfulness Ezekiel 3:17,18
- Without charge, if possible 1 Corinthians 9:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:9
Woe to those who do not preach the gospel 1 Corinthians 9:16
WHEN FAITHFUL
- Approve themselves as the ministers of God 2 Corinthians 6:4
- Thank God for his gifts to their people 1 Corinthians 1:4; Philippians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:9
- Glory in their people 2 Corinthians 7:4
- Rejoice in the faith and holiness of their people 1 Thessalonians 3:6-9
- Commend themselves to the consciences of men 2 Corinthians 4:2
- Are rewarded Matthew 24:47; 1 Corinthians 3:14; 9:17,18; 1 Peter 5:4
WHEN UNFAITHFUL
- Described Isaiah 56:10-12; Titus 1:10,11
- Deal treacherously with their people John 10:12
- Delude men Jeremiah 6:14; Matthew 15:14
- Seek gain Micah 3:11; 2 Peter 2:3
- Shall be punished Ezekiel 33:6-8; Matthew 24:48-51
THEIR PEOPLE ARE BOUND, TO
- Regard them as God's messengers 1 Corinthians 4:1; Galatians 4:14
- Not to despise them Luke 10:16; 1 Timothy 4:12
- Attend to their instructions Malachi 2:7; Matthew 23:3
- Follow their holy example 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17
- Imitate their faith Hebrews 13:7
- Hold them in reputation Philippians 2:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; 1 Timothy 5:17
- Love them 2 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:6
- Pray for them Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:19; Hebrews 13:18
- Obey them 1 Corinthians 16:16; Hebrews 13:17
- Give them joy 2 Corinthians 1:14; 2:3
- Help them Romans 16:9; Philippians 4:3
- Support them 2 Chronicles 31:4; 1 Corinthians 9:7-11; Galatians 6:6
Pray for the increase of Matthew 9:38
Faithful-Exemplified
- The Eleven Apostles Matthew 28:16-19
- The seventy Luke 10:1,17
- Matthias Acts 1:26
- Philip Acts 8:5
- Barnabas Acts 11:23
- Simeon, &c Acts 13:1
- Paul Acts 28:31
- Tychicus Ephesians 6:21
- Timothy Philippians 2:22
- Epaphroditus Philippians 2:24
- Archippus Colossians 4:17
- Titus Titus 1:5

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