Ecclesiology
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Acts 2:1-13
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1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
6 And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.
7 Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?
8 How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language?
9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome,
11 both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
12 Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!” -
1 Timothy 5:1-16
/RSS Feed1 Timothy 5:1-16
1 Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
3 Honor the widows who are truly widows.
4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.
6 But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
7 Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.
8 If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man,
10 and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
11 But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,
12 and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.
13 At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.
14 So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
15 For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
16 If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need. -
1 Timothy 3:8-16
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8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
9 They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
15 in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory. -
1 Timothy 3:1-7
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1 This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
4 An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
5 For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil. -
1 Timothy 2:9-15
/RSS Feed1 Timothy 2:9-15
9 Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,
10 but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.
11 A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness.
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.
13 For Adam was formed first, and then Eve.
14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression.
15 Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.