The Apostle Paul when writing to the eccelsia at Corinth says “ for the body is not one member, but many…now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” 1 Corinithians 12 v 14- 27. This description shows us that we are the members who make up the whole ecclesia of God. There are many different people with many different roles, just like the body has different limbs and organs that do different jobs. But no matter how big or small the role we do may seem, we all have a valuable part to play, even as the body cannot function without all of its parts working together.
Therefore, because we all make up the one body, in a way we all have the same common role – to worship God, to help one another, to care for one another. However people may find they are able to perform particular roles that will greatly benefit the others in the ecclesia, and many roles can perhaps be specific to either brethren or sisters. Later on in 1 Corinthians 12 verse 29 and 30 Paul says “are you all apostles? All prophets? All teachers etc”. What Paul is trying to say here is that there are many differing roles to perform in the ecclesia and that each one of us should perform our roles in conjunction with each other.
PreachingPreaching is a very important role within the ecclesia. Preaching is the means by which we can spread Gods word. Throughout the Bible faithful men and women preached the word of God, spreading the good news to area of the world which, without them, would still be in darkness (Acts 10 v 41,42). But through preaching, the word has been sown worldwide to grow in any good ground present. Our role as preachers is very important not only because it spreads Gods word, but also because it allows us to show the world that we are not ashamed of what we believe or who we serve. It can also be a good source of confirming our beliefs for ourselves and can bring great joy whether people are interested or not. (Luke 9 v 1,2)
Teaching
Teaching is also an extremely important role that we can perform within an ecclesia. We know from James chapter 2 that we must have both faith and works in our service to God. Faith is an understanding and appreciation of the things God has left on record for us in the Bible. It is crucial then for us to gain a knowledge of basic Bible principles which come from teaching. We have a work of teaching to one another and to the younger members of our ecclesias. Teaching is like preaching the word, only, within our ecclesias and to those who perhaps have more of a basis of scripture. Nevertheless the skills we learn from teaching and preaching will be a benefit to ourselves and others.
Encouragement and Help
John 13 v 34 and 1 John 3 vs 23 (along with many other quotes) tell us to “love one another as Christ loved us”. We must show love to one another, to strengthen each other when we see others struggling on their walk to the kingdom. Isaiah 35 v 3 says, “Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees”. We know that one of the greatest blessings given to us on our journey to the kingdom is each other, to help one another to stay on the path and not to stumble. A key role in the ecclesia is to encourage and to help.
Having considered some of the roles we have to perform within the ecclesia, advice is given to both sisters and brothers separately about certain roles we can or cannot perform within an ecclesia. The Bible gives a lot of detail about the differing roles between brethren and sisters. A few key ideas are seen below.
Sisters
Advice is given in Titus 2 v 4 that older sisters can teach younger sisters in the truth, and therefore that younger sisters should listen and not despise the advice given. Sisters are not required to give talks or do prayers as it says in 1 Timothy 2 v 12 “I suffer not a women to teach, nor usurp authority over man”. However sisters do have an important work of teaching with regards to the children, whether that be in Sunday school or in their own homes. Sisters have an important role in the home. 1 Timothy 5 v 14 talks of the loving role a sister can play in the upbringing of their household and indeed the upbringing of their children in the ways of scripture.
Again 1 Timothy 5 v 1 tells us of the role older brethren have in instructing younger brethren and the role of the younger brethren to listen to the advice given. 1 Timothy 4 v 6 shows us that it is the responsibility of the brethren to be “nourished up in words of faith and good doctrine” to study the word of God that they might be “good ministers of Jesus Christ”, to give talks opening the word of life and brining forth the gems of scripture.
Questions
1. What are some things that you personally can do in your ecclesia to fulfil the roles mentioned above?
2. Reflect on an instance where you benefited from a member of the ecclesia fulfilling such roles.
3. List some of the other key roles we can play within an ecclesia, with quotes to back up each one.