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[[File:officerspic.jpg|thumb|On the Left you see an officer of the Roman government and on the Right you see the officers of the [[Kingdom of God]] ''feeding the needy''<Ref name=poimaino >{{4165}}</Ref> ]]

The word ''officer'' or ''office'' today can mean someone in power either over people or things for which they are responsible. It has been defined as "a holder of a public, civil, or ecclesiastical office."

Are their offices in the Church where men can exercise authority over men or over things?

What would those offices be and what are their duties and limitations?

We see in the New Testament "the office of a deacon"<Ref>[[1 Timothy 3]]:10  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
: [[1 Timothy 3]]:13  For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.</Ref>, "the office of a bishop"<Ref>1 Timothy 3:1 ¶ This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.</Ref>, and "the office of the priesthood"<Ref>[[Hebrews 7]]:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:</Ref> but there is no ''office of [[elder]]''. In fact, there are no real ''offices of authority'' of men over men at all in the Church. The word "office" is added by translators and is not in the original text.

Why is that important? Because we might be led to think that ministers of the Church have some sort of authority over each other or even over the people. The titular nature of the ministers of the Church makes it a unique system of self-government that only works for [[peculiar people]].

We see a word in the [[Bible]]'s New Testament translated ''officer'' some 11 times<Ref>: Matthew 5:25  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer <5257>, and thou be cast into prison.
: John 7:32  The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers <5257> to take him.
: John 7:45  Then came the officers <5257> to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
: John 7:46  The officers <5257> answered, Never man spake like this man.
: John 18:3  Judas then, having received a band of men and officers <5257> from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
: John 18:12  Then the band and the captain and officers <5257> of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
: John 18:18  And the servants and officers <5257> stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
: John 18:22  And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers <5257> which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
: John 19:6  When the chief priests therefore and officers <5257> saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
: Acts 5:22  But when the officers <5257> came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
: Acts 5:26  Then went the captain with the officers <5257>, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.</Ref> but also translated servant<Ref>: Matthew 26:58  But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants <5257>, to see the end.
: Mark 14:54  And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants <5257>, and warmed himself at the fire.
: Mark 14:65  And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants <5257> did strike him with the palms of their hands.
: John 18:36  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants <5257> fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.</Ref> and minister.<Ref> : Luke 1:2  Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers <5257> of the word;
: Luke 4:20  And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister <5257>, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
: Acts 13:5  And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister <5257>.
: Acts 26:16  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister <5257> and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
: 1 Corinthians 4:1  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers <5257> of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.</Ref> The word is ''huperetes''<Ref name="huperetes">{{5257}} </Ref> which can refer to an assistant to a judge, or a soldier or police officer or anyone who serves someone else.

The word is often translated ''officer'' when referring to the government agents who opposed Christ but ''servant'' when used by Christ or His followers to reference ministers of the Church or the [[Kingdom of God]] at hand.

This practice of translating the same Greek word in different ways might lead some people to think that Jesus did not [[appoint]] ''officers''. He clearly did [[appoint]] men to take care of the business of the [[Kingdom of God]] at hand and He called those men the "called out" or [[ekklesia]] translated [[church]] today. He also restricted those men from [[Exercises authority|exercising authority]] one over the other.

Christ was appointing "a kingdom" to His [[little flock]] but it was not to operate like the governments of the [[world]].

The word ''huperetes''<Ref name="huperetes"></Ref>  was from the word ''eresso'' meaning ''to row''. We all know we are to live by ''faith'', [[hope]] and [[charity]] and the [[perfect law of liberty]]. Which means that we need to take care of one another by love and not by [[force]] or [[covetous practices]] like many governments were doing before [[John the Baptist]]. 

That caring for one another is what [[Religion]] used to mean before [[Modern Christians]] allowed the word to be redefined as what they ''think about God''.

[[Pure Religion]] was taking care of the needy of society without the [[covet]]ous aid of the [[Benefactors]] and their officers of the [[World]] nor the [[Fathers]] of the earth who [[Exercises authority|exercised authority]] one over the other through their [[pulic religion|public officers]].

[[Abraham]], [[Moses]] and [[Jesus]] knew what it took to maintain a free society especially when hard times come. Which is why there were instructions about choosing [[Seven Men]] in the Old Testament's [[Ecclesiastes 11]]:2<Ref>“Give a portion to [[Seven Men|seven]], and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.”</Ref> and we see the apostles doing the same in [[Acts 6]].

There have been many groups of [[Seven Men|seven men]]. They were either going toward the kingdom or away from it. While the previous groups gathered for their own profit and gain, there have been groups that were seeking a direction more toward the kingdom and the purposes of the [[Seven Men|seven men]] chosen to serve tables<Ref>From [[Acts 6]]:2. The word trapeza (trapeza) is the word bank and is translated table and bank in the Bible. </Ref> of Christ in [[Acts 6]]:5.

When Jesus came to the world [[Rome]] and Judea had already shifted from free societies and a [[Republic]]an form of government to centralized [[socialist]] welfare [[Roots of the Welfare State|states]].

Jesus said that their [[Corban]] system of [[welfare]] made the word of God to none effect. Children were not taking care of their parents but expected the government to do that through the treasury of [[Corban]]. So He took the government from one group who were not bearing [[fruit]] and gave it to another hand chosen group called His [[Little flock]]... as he foretold in [[Matthew 21]]:43:
*  "Therefore say I unto you, The [[Kingdom of God]] shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."

Of course at that time those [[Pharisees]] were ruling over the people with an [[Exercises authority|exercising authority]] one over the other which is why they were not bearing fruit. 

The [[Covetous Practices]] of [[Socialism]] or even the [[slothful]] practice of forsaking to come together and form that [[network]] of [[charity]] "corrodes not only the economy but the human spirit itself"<Ref>“I’m enjoying the irony of American Sanders supporters lecturing me, a former Soviet citizen, on the glories of [[Socialism]] and what it really means! [[Socialism]] sounds great in speech soundbites and on Facebook, but please keep it there. In practice, it corrodes not only the economy but the human spirit itself, and the ambition and achievement that made modern [[capitalism]] possible and brought billions of people out of poverty. Talking about Socialism is a huge luxury, a luxury that was paid for by the successes of [[capitalism]].” Garry Kimovich Kasparov is a Russian chess Grandmaster, former World Chess Champion, writer, and political activist, considered by many to be the greatest chess player of all time.</Ref>

We again see in [[Luke 12]]:32 Jesus tells His ''[[little flock]]'' that He would appoint them the kingdom.
: "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32

When we say the word ''government'' or ''office'' or ''officer'' we think of something or someone who '''exercises authority''' over other people. 

These ''officers'' or ''servants'' of Christ's appointed government were not to be like other governments so we should not assume they are the same nor doing the same as other governments. The word ''government'' is defined as "the governing body of a nation, state, or community" but does not have to include the idea of ''ruling'' over the people which Jesus made abundantly clear.

* [[Luke 22]]:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called [[benefactors]]. But ye [shall] not [be] so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

The word ''chief'' in this verse is the Greek word ''hegeomai''<Ref name=hegeomai>{{2233}} </Ref> which is more often translated count, think ''about'', or esteem. It is not the Greek word ''archon''<Ref name=archon> 758 ~ἄρχων~ archon \@ar’-khone\@ present participle of 757;  n m AV-ruler 22, prince 11, chief 2, magistrate 1, chief ruler 1; 37 1) a ruler, commander, chief, leader 
</Ref> which means a ''ruler'' who can force compliance with authority. 

The phrase "But ye [shall] not [be] so" does not mean there is "no formal government ''offices'' or ''officers''." But merely that what they received was freely given. This made His government a true government of the people, for the people and by the people.

In [[Matthew 2]]<Ref>Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, [in] the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.</Ref> it is prophesied that Jesus is to be the ''Governor'' of the land of Juda. The verse does not use the word ''Archon''<Ref name=archon /> but ''hegeomai''<Ref name=hegeomai /> which does not mean Governor as we might think.

The phrase ''shall rule my people Israel'' is not the normal Greek for ''rule over'' which was ''archo''<Ref> 757 ~ἄρχω~ archo \@ar’-kho\@ a primary word;  v AV-rule over 1, reign over 1; 2 1) to be chief, to lead, to rule</Ref> but ''poimaino''<Ref name=poimaino /> which means ''to feed, to tend a flock'' and appears almost a dozen times.<Ref>Luke 17:7  But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle <4165>, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
: John 21:16  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed <4165> my sheep.
: Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed <4165> the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
: 1 Corinthians 9:7  Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth <4165> a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
: 1 Peter 5:2  Feed <4165> the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
: Jude 1:12  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding <4165> themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
: Revelation 2:27  And he shall rule <4165> them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
: Revelation 7:17  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed <4165> them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
: Revelation 12:5  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule <4165> all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
: Revelation 19:15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule <4165> them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.</Ref>

Jesus did say "feed my sheep"?<Ref name=Sheep>John 21:16  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.</Ref>

[[Jesus]] and [[John the Baptist]] came preaching the [[Kingdom of God|''government'' of God]] at hand which functioned by [[charity]] and not by force. It was a government that was not like the governments of the other nations where the leaders call themselves [[Benefactors]] but exercise authority one over the other in [[Covetous Practices]] that [[Curse children|curse your children]] with [[surety|debt]] and [[bondage]].
 
The Greek word ''hegeomai''<Ref name=hegeomai /> appears some 27 times in the [[Bible]].<Ref>Matthew 2:6  And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor <2233>, that shall rule my people Israel.
: Luke 22:26  But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief <2233>, as he that doth serve.
: Acts 7:10  And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor <2233> over Egypt and all his house.
: Acts 14:12  And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief <2233> speaker.
: Acts 15:22  Then pleased it the apostles and [[elder]]s, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief <2233> men among the brethren:
: Acts 26:2  I think <2233> myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
: 2 Corinthians 9:5  Therefore I thought <2233> it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
: Philippians 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let <2233> each esteem <2233> other better than themselves.
: Philippians 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it <2233> not robbery to be equal with God:
: Philippians 2:25  Yet I supposed <2233> it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
: Philippians 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted <2233> loss for Christ. 8  Yea doubtless, and I count <2233> all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count <2233> them but dung, that I may win Christ,
: 1 Thessalonians 5:13  And to esteem <2233> them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
2 Thessalonians 3:15  Yet count <2233> him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
: 1 Timothy 1:12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted <2233> me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
: 1 Timothy 6:1  Let as many servants as are under the yoke count <2233> their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
: Hebrews 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted <2233> the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
: Hebrews 11:11  Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged <2233> him faithful who had promised.
: Hebrews 11:26  Esteeming <2233> the reproach of Christ greater riches than <2233> the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
: Hebrews 13:7  Remember them which have the rule <2233> over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
: Hebrews 13:17  Obey them that have the rule <2233> over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
: Hebrews 13:24  Salute all them that have the rule <2233> over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
: James 1:2  My brethren, count it <2233> all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
: 2 Peter 1:13  Yea, I think it <2233> meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
: 2 Peter 2:13  And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count <2233> it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
: 2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count <2233> slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
: 2 Peter 3:15  And account <2233> that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;</Ref> and clearly does not mean a ''Ruler'' as we think of rulers<Ref name=archon /> of the people in government today.

In the government of King Jesus<Ref>Acts 17:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.</Ref> the ministers were to take "count" of the people, ''esteeming'' them, ''thinking'' about the people, "determine the total number... include someone in an activity or the plans" not so that they can oppress or rule over them but so that those leaders by provide for them and feed them in time of need.

The [[ministers]] of Christ were clearly appointed to do a job and take a count of the people to feed the people in a [[Daily ministration]] of the [[Corban]] of Christ which brings the word of God into effect.

The early Church was called a ''viable [[Republic]] in the heart of the Roman Empire'' by historians but at one time a “republic” was defined, “A state or nation in which the supreme power rests in all the citizens… A state or nation with a president as its titular head; distinguished from monarchy”. In this definition, we see again that the supreme power is in the hands of the citizen, who is entitled to vote.

In the [[Kingdom of God]] there is no need to vote for rulers who will exercise authority like other governments do but there is a need for charity. What is given is freely given as a votive offering in support of God's government. As we see in [[Hebrews 13]] which says to remember those who have ''rule over'' the people but the actual word is ''hegeomai''
<Ref name=hegeomai /> which we know does not mean rule but "be mindful" of those who ''think'' about and ''esteem'' the the people for the purpose of ''feeding''<Ref name=poimaino /> the people who are in true need.

This was the directive of Christ<Ref name=Sheep /> and the mission of the Church.<Ref>Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed <4165> the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
: 1 Corinthians 9:7  Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth <4165> a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
: 1 Peter 5:2  Feed <4165> the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
: Jude 1:12  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding <4165> themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
: Revelation 2:27  And he shall rule <4165> them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
: Revelation 7:17  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed <4165> them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
: Revelation 12:5  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule <4165> all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
: Revelation 19:15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule <4165> them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.</Ref>

[[Image:Network1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Living Network]]
The early church had its own system of social [[Welfare|welfare]] called [[Pure Religion]] which they practiced when they met:

: “And the wealthy among us help the needy ... and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need.” (Ch. 65-67) AD 150, Justin Martyr on the early Church.

Clearly he appointed "formal government offices or officers"  but he allowed the people to fund those offices by a freewill choice, leaving the power of government in their hands.
 
In fact what he says and what we see says there were those who where "chief among them" and you knew who they were by how they served a body who did not forsake the gathering together.
 
We see them appoint other men with the laying on of hands and when the people need services they look to the people who were the little flock.
What did they do?
They said:
 
* Acts 6:3 "Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business."
 
Note they did not say we will appoint someone.

They said you pick them and we will appoint them.

That was because they were "formal government offices or officers." but did not exercise authority over the people.

These men were appointed to offices of service and we see them appointing others. They were not a scattered flock.

Jesus said to his little flock, not to the people in general That he would appoint the kingdom to them.

* Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

It is absolutely clear that there were leaders and bishops and ministers by the text and the historical record says so too.

But he took no right or responsibility away from the people by creating that office. In fact the Church could not do its job without the blessings freely given by the people. 
 
They did do a job of serving people in a vast network as the Roman system fell.

Some day all over the [[world]] there will likely be chaos with millions of people needing to move or need assistance because of man made and natural disasters. To not have the foresight and wisdom to seek a network of caring people who love one another in good times nor neglecting to serve one another in [[Free Assemblies|free assemblies]] would be [[Foolish virgins|foolish]] and [[slothful]].''

Apathy or failing to gather together and heed the wisdom of Abraham, Moses and Jesus is certainly not  as ''wise as the serpent nor as harmless as a dove.''

Real Christians obeyed the commands of Christ, gathered together in a vast [[network]] and attended to the {{Template:Weightier matters}}. 


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== Footnotes ==

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