Structure Of The Local Church

Qualifications Of Chucrh Officers:  I TIMOTHY 3:1-16

This ia a true saying, if a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a good work.  

A Bishop then must be  blamless a husband of one wife, vigilant sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not a given to much wine, no striker, not ngreedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that nruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; ( for is a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God ?)

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the ndevil. Moreover he must have a good report of them whcih are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.  likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in pure conscience.  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of deacon, being found blamless.  Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.  let the deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. These things write I unto you, hoping to come unto thee shortly: but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.