Perspective Digest

Volume 14 Issue 4 Fall Article 1

2009

Leadership in the Church During its First Century

Robert M. Johnston Andrews University, [email protected]

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd

Part of the Commons

Recommended Citation Johnston, Robert M. (2009) "Leadership in the Church During its First Century," Perspective Digest: Vol. 14 : Iss. 4 , Article 1. Available at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss4/1

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Adventist Theological Society at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Perspective Digest by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Johnston: Leadership in the Church During its First Century unchristian in modern secular cul- portant aspect, in my opinion, B Y ROBERT M. JOHNSTON* tures, despite the Moslem predilec- which is age. tion for honor killing. On the other There is a great age disconnect in hand, God deplored the polygamy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. David and Solomon, who capitu- The church leaders and intellectuals lated to the prevailing cultural prac- would serve the church much better tices of surrounding nations. if they would address the question LEADERSHIP IN Adventists around the world, at of the youths’ biblical hermeneutics. least officially, respect the absolute The church, especially in the devel- principles enunciated in Scripture, oped world, is losing its youth, and despite the fact that dramatic cul- one of the ways that might help is THE CHURCH DURING tural differences in dress, diet, mar- to relate this transcultural truth of riage practices, ordination issues, the Scripture to the youth in a cul- music tastes, and modes of worship ture of the youth, using the language sometimes result in disagreement. the youth understand. But when there is mutual respect Gureny Lukwaro ITS FIRST CENTURY and consistent commitment to the Sharjah, United Arab Emirates absolute teachings of Scripture, those differences cease to be divisive. The same message is success- Just as important as it is today, fully propagated. Erwin R. Gane church leadership was a vital issue in the Angwin, California early Christian Church. As I was reading “Hermeneutics ormal leadership roles in the sharp, that the same person could and Culture,” I was disappointed early church can be broadly represent more than one type of that when it came to the most im- categorized into three types, ministry and thus come under more portant question of the article, Ftwo of which disappeared in than one category. It should also be “Whose Biblical Hermeneutics?” the the subapostolic period. Be- noted that development was not response focused mainly on theol- cause the dynamics that influenced uniform and proceeded at different ogy, nationality, ethnicity, and gen- this development are still in effect, der—and overlooked the most im- what happened in the first century *Robert M. Johnston, Ph.D., is Emeri- of the history of Christianity can be tus Professor of and instructive for the church in our Christian Origins at the Seventh-day own time. Adventist Theological Seminary, Though the threefold categoriza- Berrien Springs, Michigan. This arti- tion of ministry types is useful, it cle is abridged from an article that was must be conceded at the outset that originally a paper presented at a the distinctions are not always conference in Izmir, , in 2006.

6 Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews7 University, 2009 1 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 4, Art. 1 Apostles represent the one who sends them and come uses the title apostle in verse 30. which of these two You have chosen’” Apostles represent the one who (vs. 24). But Peter, who chaired the with the authority of the sender to the extent that they faith- sends them and come with the au- meeting at which this occurred, did fully fulfill the mission that is committed to them. thority of the sender to the extent lay down special qualifications that In John 13:16 says: “‘Most assuredly, I say to you, a that they faithfully fulfill the mission must be met even to be considered as that is committed to them. In John a candidate: an apostle must have servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent 13:16 Jesus says: “‘Most assuredly, I been an eyewitness to the resurrec- greater than he who sent him.’” say to you, a servant is not greater tion of Jesus (vss. 21, 22; cf. 2:32). than his master; nor is he who is sent This meant only being an eyewitness greater than he who sent him.’” The to the risen Lord, able to give personal Twelve were sent out by Jesus as His testimony to seeing Jesus alive after rates in different localities. not an office to which one was elected representatives with the assurance, He died, since none of the Twelve had The three types, listed in order of or humanly appointed. It was a func- “‘He who receives you receives Me, actually seen the resurrection event appearance, can be characterized as tion to which a person was divinely and he who receives Me receives itself occur. (1) charismatic, (2) familial, and (3) called. The church could extend its Him who sent Me’” (Matt. 10:40). The lot fell on Matthias, about appointive. The term charismatic recognition of that calling, but the re- The 12 chosen by Jesus were the whom we read nothing more in the does not represent the modern con- ception of the calling did not depend apostles par excellence. The number New Testament. But that is true of notation, but in the original sense upon such recognition and normally 12 was significant, corresponding to most of the Twelve. based on Romans 12 and 1 Corinthi- preceded it. the 12 patriarchs and 12 tribes of Is- It is understandable, then, that ans 12. The main distinction among In the beginning, Jesus chose, rael (Matt. 19:28; Rev. 21:12-14). the earliest Christians in Palestine, the three types focuses on the mode called, and appointed 12 men to be They were clearly not Jesus’ only dis- all for whom the Twelve were of reception and basis of authority. with Him, and to be sent out to ciples, but they occupied a special especially significant, were unwilling Charismatic leaders received a direct preach and have authority to cast place in the scheme of things. to concede that anyone other than divine call. Familial leaders were out demons (Mark 3:14, 15). The So important was the number 12 the Twelve could be a legitimate blood relatives of Jesus. Appointive parallel in Matthew 10:1 calls the in the thinking of the infant church apostle. But this limitation was shat- leaders were elected in some fashion Twelve “disciples.”1 Luke 6:13 adds that they felt it necessary to fill the va- tered by the divine calling of Paul to by the church. that Jesus named them apostles. The cancy left among the 12 apostles by the apostolate in a development that term disciples reflects Mark’s remark the defection of (Acts was vehemently resisted by many. Charismatic Ministry that they were to be with Him, while 1:15-26). “The Twelve” was so firmly Paul needed constantly to defend his The first type of ministry can be apostles was an appropriate title for established as a synonym for the orig- apostleship. In 1 Corinthians 9:1, 2 called charismatic because it was those who were to be sent out. Luke inal group of apostles that Paul re- he did so by insisting on his qualifi- marked by the bestowal of a spiritual is apparently using the term techni- ferred to them thus even when they cations: he was an eyewitness to the gift and is listed among the charis- cally as a title, for Jesus is said to have had become only 11 (1 Cor. 15:5)! risen Lord (a claim supported in mata (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, named them thus. Both Matthew Fur thermore, it was important that 15:8 and by :3-5; 22:6-11) and 28; Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11). For and Luke, immediately after their re- the office not be seen as bestowed by had done the work of an apostle. In the purposes of this article, the most port of the calling of the Twelve, de- human choice or appointment, so the Galatians 1:11-19 he argued that by important feature of this type of min- scribe their being sent out on a mis- vacancy was filled by casting lots after revelation he received his commis- istry is that a person was called to it sionary journey. Mark reports this prayer (:23-26). The words of sion directly from the Lord, not directly by or His Spirit. It was mission in his sixth chapter and there the prayer are significant: “‘Show from any human authority or body, https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss4/18 2 9 Johnston: Leadership in the Church During its First Century Apostles represent the one who sends them and come uses the title apostle in verse 30. which of these two You have chosen’” Apostles represent the one who (vs. 24). But Peter, who chaired the with the authority of the sender to the extent that they faith- sends them and come with the au- meeting at which this occurred, did fully fulfill the mission that is committed to them. thority of the sender to the extent lay down special qualifications that In John 13:16 Jesus says: “‘Most assuredly, I say to you, a that they faithfully fulfill the mission must be met even to be considered as that is committed to them. In John a candidate: an apostle must have servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent 13:16 Jesus says: “‘Most assuredly, I been an eyewitness to the resurrec- greater than he who sent him.’” say to you, a servant is not greater tion of Jesus (vss. 21, 22; cf. 2:32). than his master; nor is he who is sent This meant only being an eyewitness greater than he who sent him.’” The to the risen Lord, able to give personal Twelve were sent out by Jesus as His testimony to seeing Jesus alive after rates in different localities. not an office to which one was elected representatives with the assurance, He died, since none of the Twelve had The three types, listed in order of or humanly appointed. It was a func- “‘He who receives you receives Me, actually seen the resurrection event appearance, can be characterized as tion to which a person was divinely and he who receives Me receives itself occur. (1) charismatic, (2) familial, and (3) called. The church could extend its Him who sent Me’” (Matt. 10:40). The lot fell on Matthias, about appointive. The term charismatic recognition of that calling, but the re- The 12 chosen by Jesus were the whom we read nothing more in the does not represent the modern con- ception of the calling did not depend apostles par excellence. The number New Testament. But that is true of notation, but in the original sense upon such recognition and normally 12 was significant, corresponding to most of the Twelve. based on Romans 12 and 1 Corinthi- preceded it. the 12 patriarchs and 12 tribes of Is- It is understandable, then, that ans 12. The main distinction among In the beginning, Jesus chose, rael (Matt. 19:28; Rev. 21:12-14). the earliest Christians in Palestine, the three types focuses on the mode called, and appointed 12 men to be They were clearly not Jesus’ only dis- all Jews for whom the Twelve were of reception and basis of authority. with Him, and to be sent out to ciples, but they occupied a special especially significant, were unwilling Charismatic leaders received a direct preach and have authority to cast place in the scheme of things. to concede that anyone other than divine call. Familial leaders were out demons (Mark 3:14, 15). The So important was the number 12 the Twelve could be a legitimate blood relatives of Jesus. Appointive parallel in Matthew 10:1 calls the in the thinking of the infant church apostle. But this limitation was shat- leaders were elected in some fashion Twelve “disciples.”1 Luke 6:13 adds that they felt it necessary to fill the va- tered by the divine calling of Paul to by the church. that Jesus named them apostles. The cancy left among the 12 apostles by the apostolate in a development that term disciples reflects Mark’s remark the defection of Judas Iscariot (Acts was vehemently resisted by many. Charismatic Ministry that they were to be with Him, while 1:15-26). “The Twelve” was so firmly Paul needed constantly to defend his The first type of ministry can be apostles was an appropriate title for established as a synonym for the orig- apostleship. In 1 Corinthians 9:1, 2 called charismatic because it was those who were to be sent out. Luke inal group of apostles that Paul re- he did so by insisting on his qualifi- marked by the bestowal of a spiritual is apparently using the term techni- ferred to them thus even when they cations: he was an eyewitness to the gift and is listed among the charis- cally as a title, for Jesus is said to have had become only 11 (1 Cor. 15:5)! risen Lord (a claim supported in mata (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, named them thus. Both Matthew Fur thermore, it was important that 15:8 and by Acts 9:3-5; 22:6-11) and 28; Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11). For and Luke, immediately after their re- the office not be seen as bestowed by had done the work of an apostle. In the purposes of this article, the most port of the calling of the Twelve, de- human choice or appointment, so the Galatians 1:11-19 he argued that by important feature of this type of min- scribe their being sent out on a mis- vacancy was filled by casting lots after revelation he received his commis- istry is that a person was called to it sionary journey. Mark reports this prayer (Acts 1:23-26). The words of sion directly from the Lord, not directly by Christ or His Spirit. It was mission in his sixth chapter and there the prayer are significant: “‘Show from any human authority or body,

8 Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews9 University, 2009 3 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 4, Art. 1 so that his apostleship was in no way prophesy, and God will pour out His To us, the idea may be startling, not only that one small house inferior to that of the Twelve. Spirit on His menservants and church might have several members who prophesied, but With Paul as the point man, as it maidservants (:17, 18). The were, for expanding the apostolate, Book of Acts is witness to the pres- also that their utterances were to be evaluated. Furthermore, the number soon increased. Both ence of prophets in the early the prophets were to maintain enough self-control that they Paul and are called apos- church—often several in one con- tles in :4, 14. The list that can gregation. Thus, in the church at An- were capable of stopping and yielding the floor. Thus, Paul did be compiled from the New Testa- tioch, five prophets and teachers not approve of some sort of ecstatic enthusiasm. ment also includes at least (1 (13:1, 2) are named. They included Cor. 4:6, 9), Silvanus and Timothy (1 Barnabas and Saul (Paul), who are Thess. 1:1), Titus (2 Cor. 8:23), and elsewhere known as apostles. This Epa phroditus (Phil. 2:25). It must shows that the reception of one gift confusion but of peace” (14:29-33). be counted among the early believers, also include Andronicus and a wo - did not preclude others, and indeed To us, the idea may be startling, but also became leaders in the church. man, Junia (Rom. 16:7). In three of apostles at times had visions and de- not only that one small house Two New Testament epis tles (James Paul’s letters we find lists of spiritual livered inspired speech. Philip the church might have several members and Jude) are traditionally ascribed to gifts, and in three of these lists we evangelist had four unmarried who prophesied, but also that their them. James became the leader of the find apostles, in each case heading daughters who prophesied (21:9), utterances were to be evaluated. Fur- Jerusalem church when Peter fled the list (1 Cor. 12:28; 12:29, 30; Eph. and in the next verse we read of thermore, the prophets were to (:12-17), and thereafter he was 4:11). By placing apostleship among , also mentioned in 11:28, maintain enough self-control that the respected leader of Jewish Chris- the charismata, Paul completes its whose prophesying was of a near- they were capable of stopping and tianity. democratization, making it available term predictive nature. yielding the floor. Thus, Paul did not When Paul visited the church to anyone to whom the The Corinthian church also in- approve of some sort of ecstatic en- leaders in Jerusalem after his conver- should choose to distribute it. cluded multiple prophets, including thusiasm. sion, he conferred only with Peter Another gift associated with lead- women, who were instructed to do First Peter 4:10, 11 also suggests and James the Lord’s brother, whom ership is prophecy. Ephesians 2:20 de- their public prophesying with their that the prophetic gift was common he seemed to count among the apos- clares that the church is built upon heads covered (1 Cor. 11:3-10). Paul and expected. Such was not the case tles (Gal. 1:18, 19). This James the foundation of the apostles and told the Corinthian Christians to de- later. presided at the council that deliber- prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being sire especially the gift of prophecy ated about what to require of Gen- the cornerstone. The sequence “apos- (14:1), and apparently several mem- Familial Leadership tile converts to the gospel (). tles and prophets,” rather than bers had it, for they are admonished The did not be- In a later fateful visit to Jerusalem, “prophets and apostles,” suggests ref- to speak one at a time: “Let two or lieve in Him during His earthly min- Paul called upon James, who coun- erence to the New Testament proph - three prophets speak, and let the oth- istry (Mark 3:31-35; John 7:5). seled him to make a gesture to pla- ets, not those of the Old Testament. ers judge. But if anything is revealed Something apparently happened, cate the Jewish Christians (Acts While apostleship occurs in only to another who sits by, let the first however, to bring them to belief, and 21:17-24). The incident portrays three of Paul’s lists, prophecy ap- keep silent. For you can all proph esy this was probably the special post- James as a mediator between Jewish pears in all of them. In Peter’s Pente- one by one, that all may learn and all resurrection appearance of Jesus to and Gentile Christianity, forestalling cost sermon, he begins by quoting may be encouraged. And the spirits of His brother James (1 Cor. 15:7). a schism that later did take place. Joel’s prediction that in the last days the prophets are subject to the As a result, at least James and per- Jewish Christianity, as was nat- your sons and your daughters will prophets. For God is not the author of haps other brothers not only came to ural, continued to regard the blood https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss4/110 4 11 Johnston: Leadership in the Church During its First Century so that his apostleship was in no way prophesy, and God will pour out His To us, the idea may be startling, not only that one small house inferior to that of the Twelve. Spirit on His menservants and church might have several members who prophesied, but With Paul as the point man, as it maidservants (Acts 2:17, 18). The were, for expanding the apostolate, Book of Acts is witness to the pres- also that their utterances were to be evaluated. Furthermore, the number soon increased. Both ence of prophets in the early the prophets were to maintain enough self-control that they Paul and Barnabas are called apos- church—often several in one con- tles in Acts 14:4, 14. The list that can gregation. Thus, in the church at An- were capable of stopping and yielding the floor. Thus, Paul did be compiled from the New Testa- tioch, five prophets and teachers not approve of some sort of ecstatic enthusiasm. ment also includes at least Apollos (1 (13:1, 2) are named. They included Cor. 4:6, 9), Silvanus and Timothy (1 Barnabas and Saul (Paul), who are Thess. 1:1), Titus (2 Cor. 8:23), and elsewhere known as apostles. This Epa phroditus (Phil. 2:25). It must shows that the reception of one gift confusion but of peace” (14:29-33). be counted among the early believers, also include Andronicus and a wo - did not preclude others, and indeed To us, the idea may be startling, but also became leaders in the church. man, Junia (Rom. 16:7). In three of apostles at times had visions and de- not only that one small house Two New Testament epis tles (James Paul’s letters we find lists of spiritual livered inspired speech. Philip the church might have several members and Jude) are traditionally ascribed to gifts, and in three of these lists we evangelist had four unmarried who prophesied, but also that their them. James became the leader of the find apostles, in each case heading daughters who prophesied (21:9), utterances were to be evaluated. Fur- Jerusalem church when Peter fled the list (1 Cor. 12:28; 12:29, 30; Eph. and in the next verse we read of thermore, the prophets were to (Acts 12:12-17), and thereafter he was 4:11). By placing apostleship among Agabus, also mentioned in 11:28, maintain enough self-control that the respected leader of Jewish Chris- the charismata, Paul completes its whose prophesying was of a near- they were capable of stopping and tianity. democratization, making it available term predictive nature. yielding the floor. Thus, Paul did not When Paul visited the church to anyone to whom the Holy Spirit The Corinthian church also in- approve of some sort of ecstatic en- leaders in Jerusalem after his conver- should choose to distribute it. cluded multiple prophets, including thusiasm. sion, he conferred only with Peter Another gift associated with lead- women, who were instructed to do First Peter 4:10, 11 also suggests and James the Lord’s brother, whom ership is prophecy. Ephesians 2:20 de- their public prophesying with their that the prophetic gift was common he seemed to count among the apos- clares that the church is built upon heads covered (1 Cor. 11:3-10). Paul and expected. Such was not the case tles (Gal. 1:18, 19). This James the foundation of the apostles and told the Corinthian Christians to de- later. presided at the council that deliber- prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being sire especially the gift of prophecy ated about what to require of Gen- the cornerstone. The sequence “apos- (14:1), and apparently several mem- Familial Leadership tile converts to the gospel (Acts 15). tles and prophets,” rather than bers had it, for they are admonished The brothers of Jesus did not be- In a later fateful visit to Jerusalem, “prophets and apostles,” suggests ref- to speak one at a time: “Let two or lieve in Him during His earthly min- Paul called upon James, who coun- erence to the New Testament proph - three prophets speak, and let the oth- istry (Mark 3:31-35; John 7:5). seled him to make a gesture to pla- ets, not those of the Old Testament. ers judge. But if anything is revealed Something apparently happened, cate the Jewish Christians (Acts While apostleship occurs in only to another who sits by, let the first however, to bring them to belief, and 21:17-24). The incident portrays three of Paul’s lists, prophecy ap- keep silent. For you can all proph esy this was probably the special post- James as a mediator between Jewish pears in all of them. In Peter’s Pente- one by one, that all may learn and all resurrection appearance of Jesus to and Gentile Christianity, forestalling cost sermon, he begins by quoting may be encouraged. And the spirits of His brother James (1 Cor. 15:7). a schism that later did take place. Joel’s prediction that in the last days the prophets are subject to the As a result, at least James and per- Jewish Christianity, as was nat- your sons and your daughters will prophets. For God is not the author of haps other brothers not only came to ural, continued to regard the blood

10 Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews11 University, 2009 5 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 4, Art. 1 The selection of seven was a far more other two kinds and to replace them. the seven men of Acts? The office is It is therefore worth pausing to ex- not named. It has been traditionally momentous event than is commonly recognized because it amine it. assumed that they were deacons, inaugurated a completely new type of ministry and First it should be noted that the perhaps because the words diakonia church leadership. It was this type that was destined to pre- laying on of hands did not bestow a and diakonein are used in 6:1, 2. But spiritual gift; the Seven were already the use of this word and its cognates vail over the other two kinds and to replace them. It is full of the Spirit, and that was one of is hardly decisive, for in 6:4 and 1:25 therefore worth pausing to examine it. the reasons that they were chosen the same word is used for the min- (:3). But the recognition of the istry of the apostles. It is necessary to gift by the community by the laying lay aside conceptions and distinc- on of hands, as in the cases of Paul tions that developed later. The words relatives of Jesus with respect as Twelve from their ministry of and Barnabas and of Timothy (Acts diakonein, diakonia, and diakonos leaders. Hegesippus (the second- preaching and teaching (vss. 1, 2). 13:2, 3; 1 Tim. 1:18; 4:14), was con- mean, respectively, “to serve,” “ser- century Jewish Christian historian), The Hellenistic Jewish Christians tinued. Second, they were chosen by vice,” and “servant”; or “to minister,” cited by Eusebius, supplies the were complaining that their widows their peers, apparently elected in “ministry,” and “minister.” But the names of some. James was suc- were not receiving what they should some fashion. Third, their office was fact is that the word diakonos (“dea- ceeded by his cousin Simon (Sim - in the daily distribution of supplies created for pragmatic reasons, to fill con”) is never used in the Book of eon) bar , under whose lead- to the needy. The apostles directed a need (Acts 6:3). Fourth, they re- Acts. On the other hand, presbyteros, ership the Christians of Jeru salem that the believers select seven men, ceived the laying on of hands— meaning “elder,” is frequent and fled to Pella during the Jewish war. of good repute, full of the Spirit and whether from the apostles or the used as a title for a church officer. He was chosen by the surviving rela- of wisdom, to perform this work (vs. whole community—and this cere- The first occurrence of pres- tives of Jesus.2 He was crucified in 3). This was done, and judging from mony gave them some authority that byteros with the latter meaning is in A.D. 107. The relatives of Jesus were the Hellenistic names of the seven, they lacked before. :30, where we are told that known as the despo synoi, 3which can they were chosen from among those “The people set apart in this way the famine relief for the Judean be- perhaps be translated the “Master’s who had complained; indeed, one are explicitly depicted as Spirit-filled lievers that Barnabas and Paul people.” The last in this line, counted was a (a Gentile who had leaders, who have already had a sig- brought was delivered over to the el- by Eusebius as the last Jewish bishop become a Jew). They brought the nificant ministry. The laying on of ders. In other words, the kind of of Jerusalem, was Judas surnamed Seven before the apostles, and hav- hands by those assembled therefore work for which the Seven were ap- Kuriakos, probably martyred in the ing prayed they laid their hands does not signify the bestowal of a pointed in Acts 6 is said to be done time of the Bar Cochba rebellion. upon them. This was the beginning ministry, or of the Spirit, but rather by the elders in 11:30. Furthermore, We hear no more about the des - of the appointive ministry, leaders that from now on their ministry is the way elders were appointed in the posynoi after A.D. 135. If any sur- selected by the people and given au- no longer an individual one: they are churches as reported in 14:23 resem- vived, they would have been associ- thority by the laying on of hands. from this point on representatives of bles the way the Seven were chosen. ated with the increasingly isolated This action was a far more mo- their community. What they do, they The word used in this verse is cheiro- Ebionites. mentous event than is commonly do not undertake in their own name, toneo, which literally means to raise recognized because it inaugurated a but in the name of the community one’s hand in voting. Finally, in Acts Appointive Leaders completely new type of ministry and that has set them apart as its repre- 15 we hear of only two offices in Acts 6 reports that administrative church leadership. It was this type sentatives.”4 Jerusalem, those of apostle and questions threatened to distract the that was destined to prevail over the What was the office assigned to elder. We must conclude that the https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss4/112 6 13 Johnston: Leadership in the Church During its First Century The selection of was a far more other two kinds and to replace them. the seven men of Acts? The office is It is therefore worth pausing to ex- not named. It has been traditionally momentous event than is commonly recognized because it amine it. assumed that they were deacons, inaugurated a completely new type of ministry and First it should be noted that the perhaps because the words diakonia church leadership. It was this type that was destined to pre- laying on of hands did not bestow a and diakonein are used in 6:1, 2. But spiritual gift; the Seven were already the use of this word and its cognates vail over the other two kinds and to replace them. It is full of the Spirit, and that was one of is hardly decisive, for in 6:4 and 1:25 therefore worth pausing to examine it. the reasons that they were chosen the same word is used for the min- (Acts 6:3). But the recognition of the istry of the apostles. It is necessary to gift by the community by the laying lay aside conceptions and distinc- on of hands, as in the cases of Paul tions that developed later. The words relatives of Jesus with respect as Twelve from their ministry of and Barnabas and of Timothy (Acts diakonein, diakonia, and diakonos leaders. Hegesippus (the second- preaching and teaching (vss. 1, 2). 13:2, 3; 1 Tim. 1:18; 4:14), was con- mean, respectively, “to serve,” “ser- century Jewish Christian historian), The Hellenistic Jewish Christians tinued. Second, they were chosen by vice,” and “servant”; or “to minister,” cited by Eusebius, supplies the were complaining that their widows their peers, apparently elected in “ministry,” and “minister.” But the names of some. James was suc- were not receiving what they should some fashion. Third, their office was fact is that the word diakonos (“dea- ceeded by his cousin Simon (Sim - in the daily distribution of supplies created for pragmatic reasons, to fill con”) is never used in the Book of eon) bar Clopas, under whose lead- to the needy. The apostles directed a need (Acts 6:3). Fourth, they re- Acts. On the other hand, presbyteros, ership the Christians of Jeru salem that the believers select seven men, ceived the laying on of hands— meaning “elder,” is frequent and fled to Pella during the Jewish war. of good repute, full of the Spirit and whether from the apostles or the used as a title for a church officer. He was chosen by the surviving rela- of wisdom, to perform this work (vs. whole community—and this cere- The first occurrence of pres- tives of Jesus.2 He was crucified in 3). This was done, and judging from mony gave them some authority that byteros with the latter meaning is in A.D. 107. The relatives of Jesus were the Hellenistic names of the seven, they lacked before. Acts 11:30, where we are told that known as the despo synoi, 3which can they were chosen from among those “The people set apart in this way the famine relief for the Judean be- perhaps be translated the “Master’s who had complained; indeed, one are explicitly depicted as Spirit-filled lievers that Barnabas and Paul people.” The last in this line, counted was a proselyte (a Gentile who had leaders, who have already had a sig- brought was delivered over to the el- by Eusebius as the last Jewish bishop become a Jew). They brought the nificant ministry. The laying on of ders. In other words, the kind of of Jerusalem, was Judas surnamed Seven before the apostles, and hav- hands by those assembled therefore work for which the Seven were ap- Kuriakos, probably martyred in the ing prayed they laid their hands does not signify the bestowal of a pointed in Acts 6 is said to be done time of the Bar Cochba rebellion. upon them. This was the beginning ministry, or of the Spirit, but rather by the elders in 11:30. Furthermore, We hear no more about the des - of the appointive ministry, leaders that from now on their ministry is the way elders were appointed in the posynoi after A.D. 135. If any sur- selected by the people and given au- no longer an individual one: they are churches as reported in 14:23 resem- vived, they would have been associ- thority by the laying on of hands. from this point on representatives of bles the way the Seven were chosen. ated with the increasingly isolated This action was a far more mo- their community. What they do, they The word used in this verse is cheiro- Ebionites. mentous event than is commonly do not undertake in their own name, toneo, which literally means to raise recognized because it inaugurated a but in the name of the community one’s hand in voting. Finally, in Acts Appointive Leaders completely new type of ministry and that has set them apart as its repre- 15 we hear of only two offices in Acts 6 reports that administrative church leadership. It was this type sentatives.”4 Jerusalem, those of apostle and questions threatened to distract the that was destined to prevail over the What was the office assigned to elder. We must conclude that the

12 Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews13 University, 2009 7 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 4, Art. 1 church at this early stage knew of same people are called elders (pres- The first indication of a distinction between elder and only one appointive ministry, which byteroi) in verse 17 and overseers Luke designated elder. (episkopoi) in verse 28. In Titus 1:5- is in the salutation of Philippians 1:1, mentioning But what of the traditional desig- 7, Paul speaks of appointing elders bishops and deacons. This is now a two-tiered ministry, nation of the Seven as deacons? It and then lists the qualifications of indicating that bishop was still synonymous with elder. That must be recognized that to begin with bishops (compare 1 Timothy 3:1; there was only one appointive min- 4:14; 5:17, 19). The distinction be- elder and bishop were synonymous terms can be demon- istry. The Book of Acts records no tween deacon and elder/bishop is strated from several New Testament passages. other. Since there was only one, the hardened in the pastoral , es- officer could be called either diakonos pecially in 1 Timothy 3:1-13. (suggested by diakonein in 6:2), a As in many young religious move- word describing function, or presby - ments, the shape of the leadership The twofold ministry was still the book in which he sought to show that teros, a word describing dignity. Only was fluid and evolving. It should not pattern when Clement of Rome “The gift of prophecy was to abide later did this one appointive ministry be surprising to see local variations, wrote to the church of Corinth with the church from Adam to the bifurcate into two levels or ranks, and as well as change over time. Though about A.D. 95, as it was for the com- second advent of our Lord . . . . It did the two terms came to be used to des- Paul is able to address a church in munities represented by the early not cease with the apostles, but is ignate the two levels of ministry. A that has a two fold formal church manual called the Didache, traceable through the centuries to the similar branching into two ranks took leadership, at Corinth it is another which in its present form would date last days of human history, just before place still later, making a distinction matter. There is no mention of any about A.D. 135. But hardly had an- the return of our Lord.”5 We must between bishop and elder, terms that officers. No elder presides at the other generation passed before the look for the gift, however, in minority, earlier had been interchangeable. The Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:21), and no threefold hierarchical ministry with dissident, remnant movements. The final result, in the time of Ignatius, treasurer receives the contribution for the supremacy of the bishop pre- book’s burden was to recount, was a three-tiered ministry of bish- the saints (16:2). Apparently Paul vailed and became the norm. Not through Scripture and history, in- ops, elders, and deacons. When the finds no one there trust worthy to only that, but the other types of stances to prove this, in cluding such appointive ministry was first begun, lead. Rather Paul himself is their pas- leadership had disappeared or were examples as the Mon tanist movement when it was only one without any tor, by remote con trol. He sends rep- disappearing, at least in the main- in the second century and the Camis- ranks in it, the office could probably resentatives to check up on them, and stream church that became catholic ards among the Huguenots, and cul- be best described in a hyphenated he sends letters to guide them. orthodoxy. The desposynoi appar- minating with the ministry of Ellen term, elder-deacon. For better or for worse, further ently had simply become extinct. White, whom Daniells had known The first indication of a distinc- development occurred. Soon after The apostles and prophets had been personally. One senses that Daniells tion between elder and deacon is in New Testament times, the office of replaced by the bishops, the gifts of would have been deeply distressed the salutation of Philippians 1:1, elder/bishop bifurcates into elder the Spirit by elected officers. had he fore seen that Adventist history mentioning bishops and deacons. and bishop, just as elder/deacon had would continue more than 90 years This is now a two-tiered ministry, bifurcated earlier. Ignatius of Anti- The Disappearance of Apostles and without an acknowledged living indicating that bishop was still syn- och, writing about A.D. 108, pro- Prophets prophet. But it is a situation with onymous with elder. That elder and moted the threefold ministry of dea- In 1936, A. G. Daniells, former ample precedent. bishop were synonymous terms can con, elder, and bishop with such pres ident of the General Conference Pharisaic Judaism and its succes- be demonstrated from several New vehemence that implies it was a rela- of Seventh-day Adventists and col- sor, Rabbinic Judaism, believed that Testament passages. In , the tively recent innovation. league of Ellen White, published a the prophetic gift had died out after https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss4/114 8 15 Johnston: Leadership in the Church During its First Century church at this early stage knew of same people are called elders (pres- The first indication of a distinction between elder and only one appointive ministry, which byteroi) in verse 17 and overseers Luke designated elder. (episkopoi) in verse 28. In Titus 1:5- deacon is in the salutation of Philippians 1:1, mentioning But what of the traditional desig- 7, Paul speaks of appointing elders bishops and deacons. This is now a two-tiered ministry, nation of the Seven as deacons? It and then lists the qualifications of indicating that bishop was still synonymous with elder. That must be recognized that to begin with bishops (compare 1 Timothy 3:1; there was only one appointive min- 4:14; 5:17, 19). The distinction be- elder and bishop were synonymous terms can be demon- istry. The Book of Acts records no tween deacon and elder/bishop is strated from several New Testament passages. other. Since there was only one, the hardened in the pastoral epistles, es- officer could be called either diakonos pecially in 1 Timothy 3:1-13. (suggested by diakonein in 6:2), a As in many young religious move- word describing function, or presby - ments, the shape of the leadership The twofold ministry was still the book in which he sought to show that teros, a word describing dignity. Only was fluid and evolving. It should not pattern when Clement of Rome “The gift of prophecy was to abide later did this one appointive ministry be surprising to see local variations, wrote to the church of Corinth with the church from Adam to the bifurcate into two levels or ranks, and as well as change over time. Though about A.D. 95, as it was for the com- second advent of our Lord . . . . It did the two terms came to be used to des- Paul is able to address a church in munities represented by the early not cease with the apostles, but is ignate the two levels of ministry. A Philippi that has a two fold formal church manual called the Didache, traceable through the centuries to the similar branching into two ranks took leadership, at Corinth it is another which in its present form would date last days of human history, just before place still later, making a distinction matter. There is no mention of any about A.D. 135. But hardly had an- the return of our Lord.”5 We must between bishop and elder, terms that officers. No elder presides at the other generation passed before the look for the gift, however, in minority, earlier had been interchangeable. The Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:21), and no threefold hierarchical ministry with dissident, remnant movements. The final result, in the time of Ignatius, treasurer receives the contribution for the supremacy of the bishop pre- book’s burden was to recount, was a three-tiered ministry of bish- the saints (16:2). Apparently Paul vailed and became the norm. Not through Scripture and history, in- ops, elders, and deacons. When the finds no one there trust worthy to only that, but the other types of stances to prove this, in cluding such appointive ministry was first begun, lead. Rather Paul himself is their pas- leadership had disappeared or were examples as the Mon tanist movement when it was only one without any tor, by remote con trol. He sends rep- disappearing, at least in the main- in the second century and the Camis- ranks in it, the office could probably resentatives to check up on them, and stream church that became catholic ards among the Huguenots, and cul- be best described in a hyphenated he sends letters to guide them. orthodoxy. The desposynoi appar- minating with the ministry of Ellen term, elder-deacon. For better or for worse, further ently had simply become extinct. White, whom Daniells had known The first indication of a distinc- development occurred. Soon after The apostles and prophets had been personally. One senses that Daniells tion between elder and deacon is in New Testament times, the office of replaced by the bishops, the gifts of would have been deeply distressed the salutation of Philippians 1:1, elder/bishop bifurcates into elder the Spirit by elected officers. had he fore seen that Adventist history mentioning bishops and deacons. and bishop, just as elder/deacon had would continue more than 90 years This is now a two-tiered ministry, bifurcated earlier. Ignatius of Anti- The Disappearance of Apostles and without an acknowledged living indicating that bishop was still syn- och, writing about A.D. 108, pro- Prophets prophet. But it is a situation with onymous with elder. That elder and moted the threefold ministry of dea- In 1936, A. G. Daniells, former ample precedent. bishop were synonymous terms can con, elder, and bishop with such pres ident of the General Conference Pharisaic Judaism and its succes- be demonstrated from several New vehemence that implies it was a rela- of Seventh-day Adventists and col- sor, Rabbinic Judaism, believed that Testament passages. In Acts 20, the tively recent innovation. league of Ellen White, published a the prophetic gift had died out after

14 Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews15 University, 2009 9 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 4, Art. 1 Jesus’ warning in the Olivet discourse against false ple there remained a lively willing- some six tests to apply to them, for ness to accept prophetic manifesta- christs and false prophets (Mark 13:22) probably has primary example: “When an Apostle goes tions. It was well enough established forth let him accept nothing but reference to a phenomenon in Judaism preceding the to influence attitudes toward John bread till he reach his night’s lodging; catastrophe of A.D. 70, well reported by Josephus, but Chris- the Baptist and Jesus. The need of but if he ask for money, he is a false leaders was to maintain control. prophet” (vs. 6). Clearly, the worry is tians would have had no difficulty in reapplying it to There was ever a danger that that about false apost les/prophets, who Christian claimants. pop ular enthusiasm for a charismatic were bringing the gift of prophecy leader might get out of control. into disrepute by exploiting the name This feeling also explains the phe- of Christ (12:5). nomenon of pseudepigrapha, espe- True prophets, however, were Zechariah, Haggai, and Malachi, and will . . . cause the prophets and the cially popular in the Qumran com- still to be welcomed (13:1). There is hence closed the canon. Already un clean spirit to depart from the munity. Since new prophets were in 15:1, 2 an intimation of another Psalm 74:9 laments, “There is no land. It shall come to pass that if out of the question, the composition reason for uneasiness about proph - longer any prophet; Nor is there any anyone still prophesies, then his fa- of prophetic writings, whether true ets: “Appoint therefore for your- among us who knows how long.” ther and mother who begot him will or false, had to be done in the name selves bishops and deacons worthy First Maccabees 9:27 says, “Thus say to him, “You shall not live, be- of dead prophets. of the Lord, meek men, and not there was great distress in all Israel, cause you have spoken lies in the As the shift comes from Judaism lovers of money, and truthful and such as had not been since the time name of the Lord.” And his father to Christianity, already in the Apoc- approved, for they also minister to that the prophets ceased to appear and mother who begot him shall alypse, itself written by a prophet, you the ministry of the prophets among them” (cf. 4:46; 14:41). The thrust him through when he proph- there is a concern about the false: and teachers. Therefore do not de- apocryphal Prayer of Azariah de- esies. And it shall be in that day that The church in Ephesus is com- spise them, for they are your honor- clares, “At this time there is no every prophet will be ashamed of his mended because they have tested able men together with the prophets prince, or prophet, or leader” (verse vision when he prophesies; they will those who call themselves apostles and teachers.” Why would the bish- 15). The Rabbis declared, “When not wear a robe of coarse hair to de- but are not, and found them to be ops and deacons be despised? Be- Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, the ceive. But he will say, “I am no false (Rev. 2:2). cause the charismatic prophets and last of the prophets died, the Holy prophet, I am a farmer; for a man Jesus’ warning in the Olivet dis- teachers were more exciting and Spirit disappeared from Israel.”6 taught me to keep cattle from my course against false christs and false constituted an uncontrollable locus What this meant to the rabbis youth.” And one will say to him, prophets (Mark 13:22) probably has of power in the church. was that the prophets are replaced by “What are these wounds between primary reference to a phenomenon One reason that the bishops were the scribes, and instead of new reve- your arms?” Then he will answer, in Judaism preceding the catastro- able to take over from the apostles lation, there is exegesis of old revela- “Those with which I was wounded phe of A.D. 70, well reported by and prophets was that some of them tion. There is no more torah left in in the house of my friends.”’” Josephus, but Christians would have claimed divine inspiration. Thus heaven to be revealed, for it is all These words reveal the reason for had no difficulty in reapplying it to Clement of Rome (in the name of given into the hands of the sages to the disappearance of prophecy in Is- Christian claimants. the Roman congregation) wrote: interpret and apply it. rael: False prophets had brought the In the little church manual known “You will give us joy and gladness, if Indeed, they may have seen this claim of having the prophetic gift as the Didache, a major concern is you are obedient to the things development as a fulfillment of the into disrepute. This belief was not false apostles and prophets—the two which we have written through the prophecy in Zechariah 13:2-6: “‘I universal, for among common peo- are lumped together. Chapter 11 lists Holy Spirit” (1 Clement 63:2). https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss4/116 10 17 Johnston: Leadership in the Church During its First Century Jesus’ warning in the Olivet discourse against false ple there remained a lively willing- some six tests to apply to them, for ness to accept prophetic manifesta- christs and false prophets (Mark 13:22) probably has primary example: “When an Apostle goes tions. It was well enough established forth let him accept nothing but reference to a phenomenon in Judaism preceding the to influence attitudes toward John bread till he reach his night’s lodging; catastrophe of A.D. 70, well reported by Josephus, but Chris- the Baptist and Jesus. The need of but if he ask for money, he is a false leaders was to maintain control. prophet” (vs. 6). Clearly, the worry is tians would have had no difficulty in reapplying it to There was ever a danger that that about false apost les/prophets, who Christian claimants. pop ular enthusiasm for a charismatic were bringing the gift of prophecy leader might get out of control. into disrepute by exploiting the name This feeling also explains the phe- of Christ (12:5). nomenon of pseudepigrapha, espe- True prophets, however, were Zechariah, Haggai, and Malachi, and will . . . cause the prophets and the cially popular in the Qumran com- still to be welcomed (13:1). There is hence closed the canon. Already un clean spirit to depart from the munity. Since new prophets were in 15:1, 2 an intimation of another Psalm 74:9 laments, “There is no land. It shall come to pass that if out of the question, the composition reason for uneasiness about proph - longer any prophet; Nor is there any anyone still prophesies, then his fa- of prophetic writings, whether true ets: “Appoint therefore for your- among us who knows how long.” ther and mother who begot him will or false, had to be done in the name selves bishops and deacons worthy First Maccabees 9:27 says, “Thus say to him, “You shall not live, be- of dead prophets. of the Lord, meek men, and not there was great distress in all Israel, cause you have spoken lies in the As the shift comes from Judaism lovers of money, and truthful and such as had not been since the time name of the Lord.” And his father to Christianity, already in the Apoc- approved, for they also minister to that the prophets ceased to appear and mother who begot him shall alypse, itself written by a prophet, you the ministry of the prophets among them” (cf. 4:46; 14:41). The thrust him through when he proph- there is a concern about the false: and teachers. Therefore do not de- apocryphal Prayer of Azariah de- esies. And it shall be in that day that The church in Ephesus is com- spise them, for they are your honor- clares, “At this time there is no every prophet will be ashamed of his mended because they have tested able men together with the prophets prince, or prophet, or leader” (verse vision when he prophesies; they will those who call themselves apostles and teachers.” Why would the bish- 15). The Rabbis declared, “When not wear a robe of coarse hair to de- but are not, and found them to be ops and deacons be despised? Be- Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, the ceive. But he will say, “I am no false (Rev. 2:2). cause the charismatic prophets and last of the prophets died, the Holy prophet, I am a farmer; for a man Jesus’ warning in the Olivet dis- teachers were more exciting and Spirit disappeared from Israel.”6 taught me to keep cattle from my course against false christs and false constituted an uncontrollable locus What this meant to the rabbis youth.” And one will say to him, prophets (Mark 13:22) probably has of power in the church. was that the prophets are replaced by “What are these wounds between primary reference to a phenomenon One reason that the bishops were the scribes, and instead of new reve- your arms?” Then he will answer, in Judaism preceding the catastro- able to take over from the apostles lation, there is exegesis of old revela- “Those with which I was wounded phe of A.D. 70, well reported by and prophets was that some of them tion. There is no more torah left in in the house of my friends.”’” Josephus, but Christians would have claimed divine inspiration. Thus heaven to be revealed, for it is all These words reveal the reason for had no difficulty in reapplying it to Clement of Rome (in the name of given into the hands of the sages to the disappearance of prophecy in Is- Christian claimants. the Roman congregation) wrote: interpret and apply it. rael: False prophets had brought the In the little church manual known “You will give us joy and gladness, if Indeed, they may have seen this claim of having the prophetic gift as the Didache, a major concern is you are obedient to the things development as a fulfillment of the into disrepute. This belief was not false apostles and prophets—the two which we have written through the prophecy in Zechariah 13:2-6: “‘I universal, for among common peo- are lumped together. Chapter 11 lists Holy Spirit” (1 Clement 63:2).

16 Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews17 University, 2009 11 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 4, Art. 1 Ignatius wrote: “Even if some de- biased, being from those who op- So the prophetic gift faded out because it fell into disrepute. sired to deceive me after the flesh, the posed it. spirit is not deceived, for it is from Prophets constitute a power cen- It happened in Israel and in the early church. But about the God. For it knoweth whence it comes ter that is independent from and po- year A.D. 156 there was an attempt to revive it by a man and whither it goes and tests secret tentially a rival to officially consti- named Montanus, who also reinvigorated the expectation of things. I cried out while I was with tuted authority. A prophet is not you, I spoke with a great voice,—with elected by anyone or accountable to the imminent second coming of Christ. Associated with him God’s own voice,—Give heed to the anyone except God. Prophets may were also two prophetesses, Prisca and Maximilla. bishop, and to the presbytery and rebuke a king, an apostle, a bishop, deacons. But some suspected me of or a General Conference president. saying this because I had previous They provide a check and balance to knowledge of the division of some per - all these and even to officially chosen ets and that the Lord would put His there is no substitute for a living sons: but He in whom I am bound is my councils. They are by definition in- Spirit upon them!’” (Num. 11:29). All prophetic voice or voices. witness that I had no knowledge of this convenient persons, and we try to this is probably inevitable and to be We are faced, then, with a serious from any human being, but the Spirit get them out of the way by whatever expected, but nonetheless to be dilemma. On the one hand, false was preaching, and saying this, ‘Do method is available and appropriate: lamented. prophets are a very great danger. On nothing without the bishop, keep your kill them, reject them, ignore them, Adventism has classically listed the other hand, having no prophet is flesh as the temple of God, love unity, marginalize them, co-opt them, or the gift of prophecy as one of the an equally great danger. (It is like flee from divisions, be imitators of Jesus dispatch them to Australia. marks of the remnant church. (The driving down the highway with one’s Christ, as was He also of his Father.’”7 So, repeatedly in history, prophets doctrine that the time of spiritual eyes blindfolded.) Can we flee from Thus the transition from apos- have been suppressed and replaced by gifts has ended is called cessation- one danger without falling into the tles/prophets to bishops could be a scholars and administrators. The ism, and it was vigorously opposed arms of the other? relatively smooth one. As the Di- writings of dead prophets can be by classical Adventism.) But we have dache said, “They also minister to dealt with and domesticated—they not had an acknowledged living REFERENCES 1 you the ministry of the prophets and hold no more surprises. But a living prophet for more than 90 years, and All Scripture references in this article are quoted from the New King James Version of teachers.” prophet is a loose cannon that cannot we suffer because of it. We search the Bible. So the prophetic gift faded out be- be controlled. Jesus said: “‘Woe to Ellen White’s writings, published 2 Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.11.1. cause it fell into disrepute. It hap- you! For you build the tombs of the and unpublished, and even the Ad- 3 Ibid., 3.20.6. pened in Israel and in the early prophets, and your fathers killed ventist hadith, for answers to many 4 Kevin Giles, What on Earth Is the church. But about the year A.D. 156 them. In fact, you bear witness that pressing questions of our time, but Church? An Exploration in New Testament Theology (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, there was an attempt to revive it by a you approve the deeds of your fa- we search in vain. Either the answers 1995), p. 95. man named Montanus, who also re- thers; for they indeed killed them, and are not to be found, or they are 5 Arthur Grosvenor Daniells, The Abiding invigorated the expectation of the im- you build their tombs’” (Luke 11:47, equivocal. We have issues that were Gift of Prophecy (Mountain View, Calif.: Pa- minent second coming of Christ. 48).We honor dead prophets but fear unknown and, as far as we can tell, cific Press Publ. Assn., 1936), p. 6. 6 Asso ci ated with him were also two live ones. There have always been unforeseen in her time. The mere Tosefta, Sotah 13:2. For all these refer- ences I am indebted to Werner Foerster, From proph etesses, Prisca and Maximilla. well-meaning leaders who want to re- possession of inspired writings is the Exile to Christ: A Historical Introduction to Eventually the new prophecy failed. strict the exercise of the gift, such as not a distinguishing mark, for any Palestinian Judaism (Philadelphia: Fortress, Perhaps it deserved to, but the only Joshua, to whom Moses said, “‘Oh, denomination that has the Bible can 1964), p. 4. sources of knowledge about it may be that all the Lord’s people were proph - claim that it has such a mark. So 7 Ignatius, Philadelphians 7.1, 2. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss4/118 12 19 Johnston: Leadership in the Church During its First Century Ignatius wrote: “Even if some de- biased, being from those who op- So the prophetic gift faded out because it fell into disrepute. sired to deceive me after the flesh, the posed it. spirit is not deceived, for it is from Prophets constitute a power cen- It happened in Israel and in the early church. But about the God. For it knoweth whence it comes ter that is independent from and po- year A.D. 156 there was an attempt to revive it by a man and whither it goes and tests secret tentially a rival to officially consti- named Montanus, who also reinvigorated the expectation of things. I cried out while I was with tuted authority. A prophet is not you, I spoke with a great voice,—with elected by anyone or accountable to the imminent second coming of Christ. Associated with him God’s own voice,—Give heed to the anyone except God. Prophets may were also two prophetesses, Prisca and Maximilla. bishop, and to the presbytery and rebuke a king, an apostle, a bishop, deacons. But some suspected me of or a General Conference president. saying this because I had previous They provide a check and balance to knowledge of the division of some per - all these and even to officially chosen ets and that the Lord would put His there is no substitute for a living sons: but He in whom I am bound is my councils. They are by definition in- Spirit upon them!’” (Num. 11:29). All prophetic voice or voices. witness that I had no knowledge of this convenient persons, and we try to this is probably inevitable and to be We are faced, then, with a serious from any human being, but the Spirit get them out of the way by whatever expected, but nonetheless to be dilemma. On the one hand, false was preaching, and saying this, ‘Do method is available and appropriate: lamented. prophets are a very great danger. On nothing without the bishop, keep your kill them, reject them, ignore them, Adventism has classically listed the other hand, having no prophet is flesh as the temple of God, love unity, marginalize them, co-opt them, or the gift of prophecy as one of the an equally great danger. (It is like flee from divisions, be imitators of Jesus dispatch them to Australia. marks of the remnant church. (The driving down the highway with one’s Christ, as was He also of his Father.’”7 So, repeatedly in history, prophets doctrine that the time of spiritual eyes blindfolded.) Can we flee from Thus the transition from apos- have been suppressed and replaced by gifts has ended is called cessation- one danger without falling into the tles/prophets to bishops could be a scholars and administrators. The ism, and it was vigorously opposed arms of the other? relatively smooth one. As the Di- writings of dead prophets can be by classical Adventism.) But we have dache said, “They also minister to dealt with and domesticated—they not had an acknowledged living REFERENCES 1 you the ministry of the prophets and hold no more surprises. But a living prophet for more than 90 years, and All Scripture references in this article are quoted from the New King James Version of teachers.” prophet is a loose cannon that cannot we suffer because of it. We search the Bible. So the prophetic gift faded out be- be controlled. Jesus said: “‘Woe to Ellen White’s writings, published 2 Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.11.1. cause it fell into disrepute. It hap- you! For you build the tombs of the and unpublished, and even the Ad- 3 Ibid., 3.20.6. pened in Israel and in the early prophets, and your fathers killed ventist hadith, for answers to many 4 Kevin Giles, What on Earth Is the church. But about the year A.D. 156 them. In fact, you bear witness that pressing questions of our time, but Church? An Exploration in New Testament Theology (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, there was an attempt to revive it by a you approve the deeds of your fa- we search in vain. Either the answers 1995), p. 95. man named Montanus, who also re- thers; for they indeed killed them, and are not to be found, or they are 5 Arthur Grosvenor Daniells, The Abiding invigorated the expectation of the im- you build their tombs’” (Luke 11:47, equivocal. We have issues that were Gift of Prophecy (Mountain View, Calif.: Pa- minent second coming of Christ. 48).We honor dead prophets but fear unknown and, as far as we can tell, cific Press Publ. Assn., 1936), p. 6. 6 Asso ci ated with him were also two live ones. There have always been unforeseen in her time. The mere Tosefta, Sotah 13:2. For all these refer- ences I am indebted to Werner Foerster, From proph etesses, Prisca and Maximilla. well-meaning leaders who want to re- possession of inspired writings is the Exile to Christ: A Historical Introduction to Eventually the new prophecy failed. strict the exercise of the gift, such as not a distinguishing mark, for any Palestinian Judaism (Philadelphia: Fortress, Perhaps it deserved to, but the only Joshua, to whom Moses said, “‘Oh, denomination that has the Bible can 1964), p. 4. sources of knowledge about it may be that all the Lord’s people were proph - claim that it has such a mark. So 7 Ignatius, Philadelphians 7.1, 2.

18 Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews19 University, 2009 13