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[[File:deacon.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[Abraham]], [[Moses]], [[John the Baptist]] and [[Jesus]] the [[Christ]] all preached a form of government that operated by public servants that depended on [[charity]] and the [[perfect law of liberty]] which set men free rather than [[force]], [[fear]], and [[covetous practices|violence]] used by the [[world]]. <Br>"[[Bishop]]s, presbyters([[Elder]]), and [[deacon]]s occupy in the [[church]] the same positions as those which were occupied by Aaron, his sons, and the [[Levites]] in the temple." Jerome, Ep. 146.<Br>The '''[[Levites]]''', who were the '''[[Church in the wilderness]]''', held ''[[all things common]]'' so were they like the ''[[one purse]] that runs toward evil''? The answer is "No" because they were not to [[One_purse#Read_One_purse_in_context|"lay wait for blood" or "lurk privily for the innocent without cause"]]. <Br>The purpose of the '''[[early Church]]''' and the '''[[Church in the wilderness]]''' was to serve and they were both restricted as [[servants|bondservant]]s of God. <Br>[[Socialism]] in the sense of having [[one purse]] is not a problem among ''saints'' and people who [[repent]] and [[seek]] the [[kingdom of God]] and His [[righteousness]].]]

== Servants ==

The modern [[doctrines of men]] often promote the ideology that you only have to believe in Jesus and profess him with your lips and you are saved, while at the same time the Gospels tell us that is not those who say [[Lord Lord|Lord, Lord]] but he that doeth the will of the [[Father]] and warns us that there will be many false Christ.

How do we know we believe in the real Jesus and not just those images of Jesus created by one of the thousands of denominations and those same [[doctrines of men]]?



: "Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers." Luke 12:37
 


=== My servant ===

: Matthew 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

The first time we see the word servant in the New Testament it is the word  ''pais'' which is also translated ''child'' or ''son'' and ''maid'' and ''maiden''.<Ref>{{3816}}</Ref> Even though it appears 24 times<Ref>Matthew 2:16  Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children <3816> that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
: Matthew 8:6  And saying, Lord, my servant <3816> lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
: Matthew 8:8  The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant <3816> shall be healed.
: Matthew 8:13  And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant <3816> was healed in the selfsame hour.
: Matthew 12:18  Behold my servant <3816>, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
: Matthew 14:2  And said unto his servants <3816>, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
: Matthew 17:18  And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child <3816> was cured from that very hour.
: Matthew 21:15  And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children <3816> crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
: Luke 1:54  He hath holpen his servant <3816> Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
Luke 1:69  And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant <3816> David;
: Luke 2:43  And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child <3816> Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
: Luke 7:7  Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant <3816> shall be healed.
: Luke 8:51  And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden <3816>.
: Luke 8:54  And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid <3816>, arise.
: Luke 9:42  And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child <3816>, and delivered him again to his father.
: Luke 12:45  But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants <3816> and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
: Luke 15:26  And he called one of the servants <3816>, and asked what these things meant.
: John 4:51  And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son <3816> liveth.
: Acts 3:13  The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son <3816> Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
: Acts 3:26  Unto you first God, having raised up his Son <3816> Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
: Acts 4:25  Who by the mouth of thy servant <3816> David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
: Acts 4:27  For of a truth against thy holy child <3816> Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
: Acts 4:30  By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child <3816> Jesus.
: Acts 20:12  And they brought the young man <3816> alive, and were not a little comforted.
</Ref> it only is translated servant 10 times.

Another word we see in the [[Bible]] translated servant 120<Ref>Matthew 8:9  For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant <1401>, Do this, and he doeth it.
: Matthew 10:24  The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant <1401> above his lord.
Matthew 10:25  It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant <1401> as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
: Matthew 13:27  So the servants <1401> of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
: Matthew 13:28  He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants <1401> said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
: Matthew 18:23  Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants <1401>.
: Matthew 18:26  The servant <1401> therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
: Matthew 18:27  Then the lord of that servant <1401> was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
: Matthew 18:28  But the same servant <1401> went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
: Matthew 18:32  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant <1401>, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
: Matthew 20:27  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant <1401>:
: Matthew 21:34  And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants <1401> to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
: Matthew 21:35  And the husbandmen took his servants <1401>, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
: Matthew 21:36  Again, he sent other servants <1401> more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
: Matthew 22:3  And sent forth his servants <1401> to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
: Matthew 22:4  Again, he sent forth other servants <1401>, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
: Matthew 22:6  And the remnant took his servants <1401>, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
: Matthew 22:8  Then saith he to his servants <1401>, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
: Matthew 22:10  So those servants <1401> went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
: Matthew 24:45  Who then is a faithful and wise servant <1401>, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
: Matthew 24:46  Blessed is that servant <1401>, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
: Matthew 24:48  But and if that evil servant <1401> shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
: Matthew 24:50  The lord of that servant <1401> shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
: Matthew 25:14  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants <1401>, and delivered unto them his goods.
: Matthew 25:19  After a long time the lord of those servants <1401> cometh, and reckoneth with them.
: Matthew 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant <1401>: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
: Matthew 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant <1401>; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
: Matthew 25:26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant <1401>, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
: Matthew 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant <1401> into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
: Matthew 26:51  And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant <1401> of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
: Mark 10:44  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant <1401> of all.
: Mark 12:2  And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant <1401>, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
: Mark 12:4  And again he sent unto them another servant <1401>; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
: Mark 13:34  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants <1401>, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
: Mark 14:47  And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant <1401> of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
: Luke 2:29  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant <1401> depart in peace, according to thy word:
: Luke 7:2  And a certain centurion’s servant <1401>, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
: Luke 7:3  And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant <1401>.
: Luke 7:8  For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant <1401>, Do this, and he doeth it.
: Luke 7:10  And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant <1401> whole that had been sick.
: Luke 12:37  Blessed are those servants <1401>, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
: Luke 12:38  And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants <1401>.
: Luke 12:43  Blessed is that servant <1401>, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
: Luke 12:45  But and if that servant <1401> say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
: Luke 12:46  The lord of that servant <1401> will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
: Luke 12:47  And that servant <1401>, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
: Luke 14:17  And sent his servant <1401> at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
Luke 14:21  So that servant <1401> came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant <1401>, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
: Luke 14:22  And the servant <1401> said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
: Luke 14:23  And the lord said unto the servant <1401>, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
: Luke 15:22  But the father said to his servants <1401>, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
: Luke 17:7  But which of you, having a servant <1401> plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
: Luke 17:9  Doth he thank that servant <1401> because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
: Luke 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants <1401>: we have done that which was our duty to do.
: Luke 19:13  And he called his ten servants <1401>, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
: Luke 19:15  And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants <1401> to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
: Luke 19:17  And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant <1401>: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
: Luke 19:22  And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant <1401>. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
: Luke 20:10  And at the season he sent a servant <1401> to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
: Luke 20:11  And again he sent another servant <1401>: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
: Luke 22:50  And one of them smote the servant <1401> of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
: John 4:51  And as he was now going down, his servants <1401> met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
: John 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant <1401> of sin.
: John 8:35  And the servant <1401> abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
: John 13:16  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant <1401> is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
: John 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants <1401>; for the servant <1401> knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
: John 15:20  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant <1401> is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
: John 18:10  Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant <1401>, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s <1401> name was Malchus.
John 18:18  And the servants <1401> and officers 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 18:26  One of the servants <1401> of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
: Acts 2:18  And on my servants <1401> and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
: Acts 4:29  And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants <1401>, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
: Acts 16:17  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants <1401> of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
: Romans 1:1  Paul, a servant <1401> of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
: Romans 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants <1401> to obey, his servants <1401> ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
: Romans 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants <1401> of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
: Romans 6:19  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants <1401> to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants <1401> to righteousness unto holiness.
: Romans 6:20  For when ye were the servants <1401> of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
: 1 Corinthians 7:21  Art thou called being a servant <1401>? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
: 1 Corinthians 7:22  For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant <1401>, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant <1401>.
: 1 Corinthians 7:23  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants <1401> of men.
: 1 Corinthians 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond <1401> or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
: 2 Corinthians 4:5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants <1401> for Jesus’ sake.
: Galatians 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant <1401> of Christ.
: Galatians 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond <1401> nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
: Galatians 4:1  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant <1401>, though he be lord of all;
: Galatians 4:7  Wherefore thou art no more a servant <1401>, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
: Ephesians 6:5  Servants <1401>, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
: Ephesians 6:6  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants <1401> of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
: Ephesians 6:8  Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond <1401> or free.
: Philippians 1:1  Paul and Timotheus, the servants <1401> of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
: Philippians 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant <1401>, and was made in the likeness of men:
: Colossians 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond <1401> nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
: Colossians 3:22  Servants <1401>, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
: Colossians 4:1  Masters, give unto your servants <1401> that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
: Colossians 4:12  Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant <1401> of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
: 1 Timothy 6:1  Let as many servants <1401> as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
: 2 Timothy 2:24  And the servant <1401> of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
: Titus 1:1  Paul, a servant <1401> of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
: Titus 2:9  Exhort servants <1401> to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
: Philemon 1:16  Not now as a servant <1401>, but above a servant <1401>, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
: James 1:1  James, a servant <1401> of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
: 1 Peter 2:16  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants <1401> of God.
: 2 Peter 1:1  Simon Peter, a servant <1401> and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
: 2 Peter 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants <1401> of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
: Jude 1:1  Jude, the servant <1401> of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
: Revelation 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants <1401> things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant <1401> John:
Revelation 2:20  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants <1401> to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
: Revelation 6:15  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman <1401>, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
: Revelation 7:3  Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants <1401> of our God in their foreheads.
: Revelation 10:7  But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants <1401> the prophets.
: Revelation 11:18  And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants <1401> the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
: Revelation 13:16  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond <1401>, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
: Revelation 15:3  And they sing the song of Moses the servant <1401> of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
: Revelation 19:2  For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants <1401> at her hand.
: Revelation 19:5  And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants <1401>, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
: Revelation 19:18  That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond <1401>, both small and great.
: Revelation 22:3  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants <1401> shall serve him:
: Revelation 22:6  And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants <1401> the things which must shortly be done.</Ref> times is ''doulos''.<Ref name="doulos">{{1401}}</Ref> It is from the word ''deo'' <Ref>{{1210}} </Ref> which means ''to bind, tie or fasten''.

It also appears 8 times<Ref>Acts 7:6  And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring <1402> them into bondage <1402>, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
: Romans 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants <1402> of righteousness.
: Romans 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants <1402> to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
: 1 Corinthians 7:15  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is <1402> not under bondage <1402> in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
: 1 Corinthians 9:19  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made <1402> myself servant <1402> unto all, that I might gain the more.
: Galatians 4:3  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage <1402> under the elements of the world:
: Titus 2:3  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given <1402> to much wine, teachers of good things;
: 2 Peter 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage <1402>.</Ref> in the Epistles as ''douloo''. <Ref name="douloo">{{1402}} </Ref>

The Greek word ''diakonos''<Ref name="diakonos">{{1249}} </Ref> appears some 31 times but appears as minister 20 times<Ref>Matthew 20:26  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister <1249>;
: Matthew 22:13  Then said the king to the servants <1249>, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
: Matthew 23:11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant <1249>.
: Mark 9:35  And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant <1249> of all.
: Mark 10:43  But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister <1249>:
John 2:5  His mother saith unto the servants <1249>, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
: John 2:9  When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants <1249> which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
: John 12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant <1249> be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
: Romans 13:4  For he is the minister <1249> of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister <1249> of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
: Romans 15:8  Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister <1249> of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
: Romans 16:1  I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant <1249> of the church which is at Cenchrea:
: Romans 16:27  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. « Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant <1249> of the church at Cenchrea. »
: 1 Corinthians 3:5  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers <1249> by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
: 2 Corinthians 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers <1249> of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
: 2 Corinthians 6:4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers <1249> of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
: 2 Corinthians 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers <1249> also be transformed as the ministers <1249> of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
: 2 Corinthians 11:23  Are they ministers <1249> of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
: Galatians 2:17  But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister <1249> of sin? God forbid.
: Ephesians 3:7  Whereof I was made a minister <1249>, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
: Ephesians 6:21  But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister <1249> in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
: Philippians 1:1  Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons <1249>:
: Colossians 1:7  As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister <1249> of Christ;
: Colossians 1:23  If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister <1249>;
: Colossians 1:25  Whereof I am made a minister <1249>, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
: Colossians 4:7  All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister <1249> and fellowservant in the Lord:
: 1 Thessalonians 3:2  And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister <1249> of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
: 1 Timothy 3:8  Likewise must the deacons <1249> be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
: 1 Timothy 3:12  Let the deacons <1249> be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
: 1 Timothy 4:6  If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister <1249> of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.</Ref> and servant 8 times.

Another word we see 4 times as servant but appears 20 times in the New Testament is  ''huperetes''<Ref>{{5257}} </Ref> which is more often translated 'officer'.

There is also the word ''misthotos''  meaning hired servant <Ref>{{3411}} </Ref>

Several translations render the Greek doulos (δούλος)<Ref name="doulos"></Ref>, the word for “slave”, as “bondslave,” “bondservant,” or similar forms. Some try to explain this difference by looking back to [[Exodus 21]]:6, which lays out the procedure for a debt slave to become a life-long slave by the piercing of the ear with an awl.

Paul, Timothy, James, Peter, and Jude all describe themselves as this "doulos"<Ref name="doulos"></Ref> or “bondservants of Christ” ([[Romans 1]]:1; [[Philippians 1]]:1; [[Titus 1]]:1; [[James 1]]:1; [[2 Peter 1]]:1; [[Jude 1]]:1)

Paul, Timothy, James, Peter, and Jude are merely using the basic word for a person who is owned by another.<Ref name="doulos"></Ref> What this term does is make reference to the fact that the ordained minister of the Church established by God through Jesus [[Christ]] the Messiah and King belong to God like the '''[[Levites]]''' and the [[Church in the wilderness]] before them.<Ref>Numbers 3:12  And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;
: Numbers 3:45  Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD.</Ref>
The [[Levites]] were also to be ''separate''<Ref>Numbers 8:14  Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.</Ref> like Jesus instructed His [[disciples]].<Ref>Luke 6:22  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
: Acts 13:2  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
: 2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,</Ref> Another similarity of these ''bondservants'' of Christ with the ''[[Levites]]'' who had no inheritance in the land<Ref>Numbers 18:20  And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.
: Numbers 18:23  But the [[Levites]] shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.
: Numbers 18:24  But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
: Numbers 26:62  And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.
: Deuteronomy 18:2  Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.</Ref> was that they, the [[called out]], were to also have [[vow of poverty|no personal estate]] but hold [[all things common]].

All these common factors between the [[early Church]] ministers and the [[Levites]] are also verified by Jerome in his statement, "[[Bishop]]s, presbyters([[Elder]]), and [[deacon]]s occupy in the [[church]] the same positions as those which were occupied by Aaron, his sons, and the [[Levites]] in the temple." Jerome, Ep. 146.

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== Footnotes ==

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