Scriptures in the New Testament mention offices in the Church organization of that day. Acts 13:1 talks of “prophets and teachers.” Acts 14:23 describes ordaining elders. In I Corinthians 12:28, the apostle Paul relates that “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers.” Then in Ephesians 4:11–12, Paul recounts, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
By Study
The sixth Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints declares: “We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.” (The Pearl of Great Price, The Articles of Faith 1:6.)
Assignment
Study the following chapters from the Church manual Gospel Principles, which is available free online in electronic form or in hard copy for members at the Church’s online store and for anyone else here (the chapters listed below all have links to the online version):
Chapter 15: The Lord’s Covenant People
Chapter 16: The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times
Chapter 17: The Church of Jesus Christ Today
By Faith
It is one thing to know that various Church offices existed in the New Testament Church and still exist in the Church today. It is another to understand how these roles fit together and how all are important.
Assignment
Read Doctrine and Covenants 43:1–14, 84:109, 132: 7–8, 45–49; Moses 1:39; and the temple recommend interview questions. Ponder and pray this week, asking, “What can I do to better fit into the Lord’s Church and fulfill His purposes?” Then choose and do one thing.
Credit for the image at top of the page: Last supper, St. Martin’s Cathedral, Bratislava, Slovakia, stock photo from depositphotos.com.
