1. Why has Christ instituted the holy ministry?

 "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly!" - 1 Saint Peter 5, 2.

 Christ has instituted the ministerial office for the specific performance of the privileges and duties of the Church in preaching the Gospel and administering the sacraments.

2. But doesn't the Bible state that all believers are a royal priesthood?

 The public ministry does not stand in opposition to the general ministry of all believers.

 "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." - 1 Corinthians 4, 1.

 All believers are to know and profess divine truth, but the official teachers of the Church must have a special knowledge of divine truth and a particular aptitude to teach.

3. Who instituted the Christian ministry?

 God Himself appointed and ordained the public ministry.  We know this
 
 a. from the practice of the holy apostles.

 "Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the Word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands." - Acts 14, 3.

 b. from the description of the personal qualifications of the public ministry.

 "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." - 1 Saint Peter 5, 3.

 c. from the descriptions of their functions and duties.

 "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially the of the circumcision; whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." - Titus 1, 9- 11.

 d. from the distinction which Scripture makes between the elders or bishops and all other believers.

 "God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governemts, diversities of tongues.  Are all apostles? are all teachers?  are all workers of miracles?" - 1 Corinthians 12, 28-29.

 e. from the honor and dignity which are ascribed to those who officially teach the Word.

 "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." - Hebrews 13, 7.

4. Is the public ministry necessary?

 "He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me." - Saint Luke 10, 16.

 It is true that man can be saved without the Christian ministry through private reading of God's Word.  On the other hand, the Christian ministry should not be despised.  Contempt for the public ministry is often motivated by disdain for Christ and His Gospel.

5. How is the ministerial office conferred?

 "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." - Ephesians 4, 11.

 The ministerial office is conferred by God, by the Holy Spirit, and by Christ, the Head of His Church, through the congregations, who transfer to the men thus called the public exercise of the functions.

6. Is the rite of ordination also a divine institution?

 While not a divine command, ordination is a Church rite, established to give public notice of the call and of its acceptance, and of the fitness of the person called for the proper performance of the duties conferred upon him.

7. What are the qualifications for the holy ministry?

 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous." - 1 Timothy 3, 2-3.

 "Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honestreport, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business." - Acts 6, 3.

 Such qualifications are soundness of doctrine, aptness to teach, blamelessness of life and a good and honest report of those without.

8. Is on Christian minister higher than another?

 "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." - Saint Matthew 23, 8.

 Christian minister, whether in the same or different congregation, are equal in rank.  Christ, the Head of the Church, has established no defrees in the ministry.

9. Why do we call public ministry the supremem office in the Church?

 "If a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" - 1 Timothy 3, 5.

 The pastoral office is the supreme office in the Church, since it deals with the Word, which is Christ's supreme gift to the Church.

Test Paper - Lesson 22

1. For what purpose has our Savior instituted the holy ministry? ...................................................
......................................................................................................................................................

2. What would you answer to the objection that Christian ministers are not needed because all believer are a royal priesthood? .....................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................

3. Give any three ways in which we know that God Himself appointed the holy ministry.
a. ..................................................................................................................................................
b. ..................................................................................................................................................
c. ..................................................................................................................................................

4. Complete the following Bible passage: " God hath reconciled ...................................................
.................................................................................................................,....................................
............................................................................................." - 2 Corinthians 5, 18.

5. The rite by means of which the ministerial office is conferred is called .......................................

6. List any three qualifications for the holy ministry.
a. ..................................................................................................................................................
b. ..................................................................................................................................................
c. ..................................................................................................................................................

7. Give a Bible passage indicating that there are not to be ranks in the Christian ministry.
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................

8. Why is the Christian ministry regarded as the highest office in the church? ................................
......................................................................................................................................................

9. Complete the following Bible passage: "He that heareth you ....................................................;
.............................................................................................................;........................................
.................................................................................................................- Saint Luke 10, 16

10. Please check the following statements which are correct:
 a. The rite of ordination is a human institution.
 b. The rite of ordination is commanded by God.
 c. The rite of ordination has been established by the Christian Church.

Make every effort to fill in the answers from memory.  If you are not sure of certain answers, you may look them up in the lesson.  Your paper will be graded according to the following standard: 10 correct: perfect; 9 correct: excellent; 8 correct: very good; 7 correct: good.