Aide

Bible School

Ministry and the church's offices

The fivefold gifts, elders, deacons, bishops and priests: what Scripture says, and what the church has done.

Twenty-seven classes on who does what in the church. Part one studies Christ's gifts in Ephesians 4 (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) and the body of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. Part two takes the offices the New Testament names: elders, overseers (bishops) and deacons, how the church ordained them, and the questions of women in ministry and the papacy. Part three follows the priesthood from Melchizedek and Aaron through the prophets to its fulfillment in Jesus in Hebrews, then the priesthood of all believers, and asks whether there is a Christian priest. Part four takes titles and structures (Reverend, Father, archbishops, councils). Where an office or title is not explicit in Scripture, the class sets out the biblical and historical arguments for and against, as each tradition makes them.

27 passages · about 8 hours in all

Traditions. Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Reformed, Baptist, Pentecostal and other traditions order ministry differently. Each class names the views fairly, separates what the New Testament says plainly from what the church later developed, and says where Aide's reading rests.

Plan your study

Tell Aide when you can sit down. We build the reading plan; if you miss a day it simply moves forward.

Days

That is 27 sittings, finishing around Thu, Nov 26.

Passages

  1. 1Ephesians 4Christ's gifts to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers18 min
  2. 2Acts 1Apostles: the Twelve, Matthias, and the question of succession18 min
  3. 31 Corinthians 14Prophets and prophecy in the church20 min
  4. 4Acts 8Evangelists: Philip and the gospel on the road19 min
  5. 51 Peter 5Pastors: shepherds of God's flock17 min
  6. 6James 3Teachers and the weight of teaching17 min
  7. 71 Corinthians 12One body, many gifts18 min
  8. 8Titus 1Elders: appointing and qualifying17 min
  9. 91 Timothy 3Overseers and deacons: the qualifications17 min
  10. 10Acts 6Deacons: the Seven and Phoebe17 min
  11. 11Acts 20Elder, overseer or bishop? Paul at Miletus20 min
  12. 122 Timothy 1Ordination and the laying on of hands17 min
  13. 131 Timothy 2Women and ministry: the readings16 min
  14. 14Matthew 16Peter and the keys: the question of the papacy19 min
  15. 15Genesis 14Melchizedek, priest of God Most High18 min
  16. 16Exodus 19A kingdom of priests19 min
  17. 17Exodus 28–29Aaron's priesthood: garments and consecration27 min
  18. 18Leviticus 16The high priest and the Day of Atonement21 min
  19. 19Numbers 18Priests, Levites and the support of ministry20 min
  20. 20Zechariah 3Joshua the high priest and the Branch17 min
  21. 21Hebrews 5A high priest after the order of Melchizedek17 min
  22. 22Hebrews 7A better priesthood18 min
  23. 23Hebrews 8–9The new covenant and the heavenly sanctuary21 min
  24. 24Hebrews 10One sacrifice for sins forever19 min
  25. 251 Peter 2A royal priesthood: the priesthood of all believers18 min
  26. 26Hebrews 13We have an altar: ministers, sacrifice and the Christian priest18 min
  27. 27Matthew 23Rabbi, Father, Reverend: titles in the church19 min