Office

On the Left you see an officer of the Roman government and on the Right you see the officers of the Kingdom of God.

The word officer 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."

We see a word in the Bible's New Testament translated officer some 11 times but also translated servant and minister. The word is huperetes 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 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 ekklesia or church. He also restricted them from exercising authority one over the other.

Christ was appointing a kingdom to His little flock.

The word huperetes 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 not by force like many governments were doing before John the Baptist.

That caring for one another is what Religion use 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 covetous aid of the Benefactors and their officers of the World nor the Fathers of the earth who exercised authority one over the other through their public officers.

Abraham, Moses and Jesus knew what it takes 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 and we see the apostles doing the same in Acts 6.

There have been many groups of seven men. They are 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 chosen to serve tables of Christ in Acts 6:5.

When Jesus came to the world Rome and Judea had already shifted from free societies and a Republican form of government to centralized socialist welfare 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 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"

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 which is more often translated count, think about, or esteem. It is not the Greek word archon 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.

Even in Matthew 2 where Jesus is prophesied to be the Governor of the land of Juda they do not use the word Archon but hegeomai and in the phrase shall rule my people Israel they do not use the normal Greek for ruling over but poimaino which means to feed, to tend a flock.

Did Jesus not say feed my sheep?

The Greek word 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 elders, 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.

Philippians 3:8 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 of the people in government.

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.

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.

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The early church had its own system of social 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 would be 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 Weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith which include caring for the needs of our neighbors and the widows and orphans of our society through Pure Religion in matters of health, education, and welfare. We are NOT to provide for the needy of society through the Covetous Practices and the men who call themselves benefactors but who exercise authority one over the other like the socialists do.

The Way of Christ was like neither the way of the world of Rome nor the governments of the gentiles who depend on those fathers of the earth through force, fear and fealty who deliver the people back in bondage again like they were in Egypt. Christ's ministers and true Christians do not depend upon systems of social welfare that force the contributions of the people like the corban of the Pharisees which made the word of God to none effect. Many people have been deceived to go the way of Balaam and the Nicolaitan and out of The Way of Christ and have become workers of iniquity.

The Christian conflict with Rome in the first century Church appointed by Christ was because they would not apply to the fathers of the earth for their free bread but instead relied upon a voluntary network providing a daily ministration to the needy of society through Faith, Hope, and Charity by way of freewill offerings of the people, for the people, and by the people through the perfect law of liberty in Free Assemblies according to the ancient pattern of Tuns or Tens as He commanded.

The modern Christians are in need of repentance.

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"Follow me!" —Jesus the Christ.

• One of the most important things to do is to become involved in a network of Charitable Practices. Everyone should want to join a Living Network of Love and Charity.

• If you think you have a calling to be a Minister of God or you might want to dedicate your life to Christ as an Ordained Minister of His Holy Church, contact us to start the process of discipleship and become the benefactors who exercise only love, NOT authority.

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