What Shall I Do To Be Saved?

By Rev. Dr. Curian Kaniyamparambil

Question 98. Is it fair to call the ordained ones Fathers, administrators, etc.? Is this in the Bible?

Yes, it is in the Bible. We had quoted many evidences previously. The apostles and people who have apostolic successions have an important role. Here is a list of their roles:

Ambassadors: "We are ambassadors for Christ" (Acts 1, Cori. 5:20)
Fellow workers: " We are God's fellow workers" (1 Cori 3:9)
Shepherds of Church " made shepherds of church " (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2, Eph2:11)
Ministers: ".ministers through whom you believed" (1 Cori 3:6, Eph 3:7, Colo 1:25)
Steward of mysteries of God (Tit. 1:6)
Fathers: "For through you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in Lord" (1 Cori. 4:15, 17):"To Titus a true son in our common faith" (Tit 1:4) " I appeal to you for my son Onesumus" (Phel. 1:10)
The guardians of faith: "O Timothy! Guard, what was committed to your trust" (1 Tim 6:20) They are "Holding mystery of faith" (1 Tim 3:9) The guardian can expel the unfaithful, Reject a divisive man after first and second admonition" (Tit 3:10, 2Tim 4:15, Tit 2:15)
They are administrators: "Let the elders who rule well be counted..." (1 Tim 5:17); They were given administrative powers. "Do not receive an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by the testimony of two or three witness" (1 Tim. 5:19). "Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all" (1 Tim 5:20.)
Advisors: For which I was appointed a preacher and apostle" (1 Tim 2:7) "I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the Living God " (1 Tim 3:15). They have the responsibility to preach to others." (1 Tim 4:6-11, 13-16)
Man of God: "But you, man of God" (1 Tim 6:11)
Power of God: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" (2 Cori. 4:7),
The ambassadors of Christ may be weak and trivial people. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" (2 Cori. 4:7)
"Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He should be able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. No one take this honor upon himself but only when called by God (Heb 5:1-2). This explains many things. Not all church members can offer sacrifices for sins. A priest is required for this. But not all can become priests; he should be called by God.

Here is a quote form the Scofield Bible about the position of elders:

"Elders (presbyters and Bishops (Episcopos = overseer) designate the same office (Titus 1:7, Acts 20:17, 28). The functions of the elders are to rule (1 Tim 3:4,5; 5:17), to guard the body of revealed truth from perversion and error (Tit 1:9), and to oversee the church as a shepherd oversees his flock (Acts 20:28, John 21:16, Heb 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2). At first they were ordained by an Apostle.

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