be, Not passionate.

Deacon.

Deacon is translated from "_diakonos_," meaning minister. By reading the
writings of those contemporary with the apostle and those immediately
following we learn that a bishop or elder is the overseer or pastor of the
flock, or the one upon whom the greatest responsibilities lie, while the
deacons are helpers. This doubtless is what is meant by "helps" in 1 Cor.
12:28. There was always at least one bishop in one congregation, but often
more than one deacon. The qualifications for a deacon are very similar to
those of a bishop. See 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1.

Elders Or Presbyters.

Webster in defining presbyter, says, "An elder in the early Christian
church." Young in his analytical concordance says of presbytery, "An
assembly of elders." These two terms have the same Greek origin,
"_presbuteros_." An elder is one grounded in the faith with a sound
matured judgment; one capable of giving good advice or counsel. An elder
is not necessarily a preacher, but one calculated to advise and give
counsel in his pastoral duties. They also are especially called of God to
anoint and pray for the sick.

These church officers are all called of God. See Gal. 1:15, 16. They are
commissioned by Christ. Mat. 28:19. Sent by the Holy Spirit. Acts 13: 3,
4. They are qualified by God. 2 Cor. 3:5, 6. They are ambassadors from the
kingdom of heaven with a heavenly message to this lost world. God help
them every one to faithfully declare it in the fear of him who has called
them.

Chapter VIII. The Ordinances Of The New Testament.

In the preceding chapter we considered the church of the New Testament.
The Lord Jesus built his church and instituted some ordinances, which he
commands the church to faithfully keep. The keeping of the commandments of
God is proof that we love him: "For this is the love of God that we keep
his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3. "He
that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me."
John 14:21. "If a man love me he will keep my words." Ver. 23. "He that
loveth me not keepeth not my sayings." Ver. 24.

We may profess great attainments in the divine life and wonderful devotion
to God, but the proof is obedience to his commands. We have learned of
people who have become so holy that they were raised above or passed
beyond a great portion of the Bible and are not required to keep it. We
have heard of but few things so ri