GoD's WorK - God's Puzzle Solved

84 God’s Workof The Word, one had to be an Elder if they were to guide localchurches such as Ephesus, Antioch, Smyrna, etc.Deacons or Deaconesses, on the other hand, even though theywere “diakonos,” “servants,” did not have to be an elder in thesame sense. Why was this? It was because they did not have theresponsibility of teaching or preaching The Word. The Apostleswere very clear about this (Acts 6:2). Ministers who teach orpreach The Word of God should have nothing else to do in TheChurch, but pray and preach The Word. Ministers who preach,such as Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors (Bishops), Teachersor Elders, should not have any responsibility for handling orbeing in charge over the money. Furthermore, one of their requirementsis to not desire filthy lucre.Who picks the deacons? It was not done by The Apostles or ministersof The Word. The entire local church selected the deaconor deaconess (Acts 6:3). Once the whole church appointed thosewho were to be responsible for the money and other physicalthings, The Apostles and Elders laid their hands upon them. Thisact showed God approved the choice, according to the standards,which The Apostles gave (Acts 6:3).To recapitulate, every one of the leaders, or guides, over a localchurch who preached God’s Word had to be selected by God directly.These were only the firstborn males whose fathers haddied. They were The Elders over their own house and family. Thismeant they were Overseers (Bishops) of their own houses. Theywere responsible to take care of their own family (Acts 20:17, 28).If these firstborn elders had the gift to teach, they were chosen asthe teachers who preached in the church. Then, according to thestandards laid down by Paul and The Apostles (I Timothy 3:1-7),out of all these Elders, a pastor (Head bishop) was selected over