Bible Requirements for Ministers
A. Appellations of Ministers - Minister. The word used most in Greek is Strong's #1249, diakonos (the same word is translated "deacon" elsewhere). It means an attendant, a waiter at table or in other menial duties. The root word means to run errands.
- Ambassador for Christ (II Cor. 5:20).
- Fishers for men (Matt. 4:19; Mark 1:17).
- Shepherd (Matt. 9:36; Matt. 10:6).
- Laborer (I Thess. 3:2; Phil. 2:25; I Cor. 3:9).
- Overseer (Acts 20:28; the same word is elsewhere translated "bishop").
- Soldier of Christ (Phil. 2:25; II Tim. 2:3).
- Teacher (I Cor. 4:17; Acts 5:42; I Tim. 4:11; I Tim. 6:2; II Tim. 2:2, 24, 25).
- Preacher.
a. Strong's #2097 - announce good news. (Acts 16:10) b. Strong's #2783 - herald, as a public crier. (Acts 10:42) - Watchman (Ezek. 33:1-33; Jer. 6:17).
- Witness (Acts 1:8; Acts 5:32).
- Messenger Mal. 2:7).
B. Qualifications for Ministers - Blameless (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6, 7).
- Husband of one wife (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6).
- Vigilant (I Tim. 3:2).
- Sober (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8).
- Of good behavior (I Tim. 3:2).
- Given to hospitality (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8).
- Apt to teach (I Tim. 3:2; II Tim. 2:24).
- Not given to wine (I Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7).
- No striker (I Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7).
- Not greedy of filthy lucre (I Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7).
- Patient (I Tim. 3:3; II Tim. 2:24).
- Not a brawler (I Tim. 3:3).
- Not covetous (I Tim. 3:3).
- Rules well his own house (I Tim. 3:4).
- Has his children in subjection with all gravity (I Tim. 3:4; Titus 1:6).
- Not a novice (I Tim. 3:6).
- Of good report among unconverted (I Tim. 3:7).
- Not self-willed (Titus 1:7).
- Not soon angry (Titus 1:7).
- Lover of good men (Titus 1:8).
- Just (Titus 1:8).
- Holy (Titus 1:8).
- Temperate (Titus 1:8).
- Hold fast the faithful word (Titus 1:9).
- Gentle (II Tim. 2:24; Titus 3:2).
- Must not strive (II Tim. 2:24).
- Meek (II Tim. 2:25).
C. How Ministers Receive Office - Chosen by God, ordained, sent to bring forth fruit (John 15:16).
- God gives pastors to feed people with knowledge and understanding (Jer. 3:15).
- God gives various offices, some apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers (Eph. 4:11).
- Holy Spirit reveals who is to be ordained after fasting, prayer, laying on of hands (Acts 13:2, 3).
- Appointed, sent two by two as lambs among wolves (Luke 10:1-3).
- Ordain elders in every city (Titus 1:5).
D. Conduct and Attitude of Ministers - Be you clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord (Isa. 52:11).
- Prepare your heart to seek the law, to do it, and to teach it (Ezra 7:10).
- Don't drink wine or strong drink when working (Lev. 10:9).
- Be wise as serpents, harmless as doves (Matt. 10:16).
- Serve one another (Matt. 20:26-28).
- Be willing to give your life for the sheep (John 10:11).
- Be completely impartial (I Tim. 5:21).
- Speak the things which become sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).
- Be gentle as a nurse cherishing children (I Thess. 2:7-12; II Tim. 2:24; Titus 3:2).
- Give no offense in anything (II Cor. 6:3-10).
- Be a good example (Titus 2:7, 8; I Tim. 4:12-16).
- Preach willingly (I Cor. 9:16-17).
- Gladly spend and be spent for the Work (II Cor. 12:15).
E. Responsibilities and Duties - Take heed to the ministry, fulfill it (Col. 4:17).
- Study, meditate upon God's word (Josh. 1:7-9; II Tim. 2:15).
- Give self continually to prayer and ministry (Acts 6:4).
- Go, preach, teach, heal, cast out demons, baptize (Matt. 10:5-8; Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 3:14, 15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10:1-9).
- Persuade men (Gal. 1:10).
- Feed the sheep (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; I Pet. 5:2, 3).
- Preach the word, reprove, exhort (II Tim. 4:2).
- Teach the difference between holy and profane (Ezek. 44:23).
- Speak whether they will hear or not (Ezek. 2:7; Ezek. 3:27).
- Establish and comfort the brethren (I Thess. 3:2).
- Perfecting of the saints (Eph. 4:11, 12; Col. 1:28).
- Charge people to trust the living God and do good works (I Tim. 6:14-19).
- Set things in order, ordain elders (Titus 1:5; II Tim. 2:2).
- Bind and release as revealed by God (Matt. 18:18; John 20:23).
- Rule over the brethren (Heb. 13:7, 17).
F. Instructions to Ministers - Study to show yourself approved to God (II Tim. 2:15).
- Stir up the gift of God (II Tim. 1:6-14); I Tim. 4:14).
- Endure hardness as good soldier of Christ (II Tim. 2:3).
- Be servant to one another (Matt. 20:26-28).
- Preach the word (II Tim. 4:2).
- Go, preach, heal, etc. (Matt. 10:7, 8).
- Go two by two (Luke 10:1).
- Go not house to house (Luke 10:7).
- Be wise as serpents, harmless as doves (Matt. 10:16).
- Observe these things, keep yourself pure (I Tim. 5:21, 22).
- Put brethren in remembrance of these things (I Tim. 4:6).
- Treat all respectfully (I Tim. 5:1-3).
- Watch in all things (II Tim. 4:5).
- Take stumblingblock out of way of people (Isa. 57:14).
- Cry aloud, spare not, show my people their sins (Isa. 58:1).
- Keep not silent, give God no rest (Isa. 62:6, 7).
- Be a good example (Titus 2:7, 8; I Tim. 4:12-16).
- Continue in these things, be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (II Tim. 3:14-17).
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