| Foreword |
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11 | (2) |
| Introduction |
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13 | (4) |
| Abbreviations |
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17 | (4) |
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Part 1: Offices in General |
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Why Is It Important to Have a Biblical Form of Church Government? |
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21 | (5) |
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What Are the Various Forms of Church Government? |
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26 | (5) |
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Does the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 Support Episcopalianism or Presbyterianism? |
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31 | (7) |
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What New Testament Evidence Is There in Support of Congregationalism? |
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38 | (8) |
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Are the Offices of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, and Priest for Today? |
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46 | (8) |
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How Many Church Offices Are There Today? |
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54 | (7) |
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Part 2: The Office of Elder |
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Questions Related to Background Issues |
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What Is the Background of the Terms ``Elder'' and ``Overseer''? |
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61 | (5) |
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What Is the Origin of the Christian Elder or Overseer? |
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66 | (10) |
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Do the Terms ``Elder'' and ``Overseer'' Represent the Same Office? |
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76 | (8) |
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Does 1 Timothy 5:17 Make a Distinction Between Two Types of Elders? |
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84 | (5) |
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What Is the Role of an Elder? |
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89 | (6) |
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How Much Authority Should the Elders Have? |
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95 | (6) |
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Were Timothy and Titus Pastors/Elders? |
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101 | (8) |
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Questions Related to Qualifications |
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What Are the Situational and Family Qualifications for an Elder? |
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109 | (8) |
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What Are the Moral Qualifications for an Elder? |
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117 | (7) |
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What Does It Mean That an Elder Must Be ``the Husband of One Wife''? |
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124 | (6) |
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Must an Elder Be Married and Must His Children Be Believers? |
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130 | (5) |
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What Are the Reasons for Affirming That Women Can Be Elders? |
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135 | (7) |
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What Are the Reasons for Affirming That Women Cannot Be Elders? (Part 1) |
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142 | (8) |
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What Are the Reasons for Affirming That Women Cannot Be Elders? (Part 2) |
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150 | (11) |
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Questions Related to the Plurality of Elders |
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Should Each Church Have a Plurality of Elders? |
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161 | (5) |
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How Many Elders Should Each Congregation Have? |
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166 | (3) |
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What Is the Relationship Between Staff Members and Elders? |
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169 | (4) |
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Should There Be an Equality (Parity) Among the Elders? |
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173 | (5) |
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How Should the Elders Make Decisions? |
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178 | (5) |
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What Are the Advantages of Having a Plurality of Elders? |
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183 | (5) |
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Why Do So Few Churches Have a Plurality of Elders? |
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188 | (4) |
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How Does a Church Transition to a Plurality of Elders? |
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192 | (7) |
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Questions Related to the Selecting, Ordaining, Paying, and Removing of Elders |
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How Should Elders Be Selected? |
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199 | (5) |
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Should Elders Have Terms or Serve for Life? |
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204 | (5) |
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Should Elders Be Ordained? |
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209 | (5) |
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214 | (5) |
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What Should Be Done If an Elder Is Caught in Sin? |
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219 | (8) |
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Part 3: The Office of Deacon |
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What Is the Background of the New Testament Deacon? |
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227 | (6) |
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What Are the Qualifications for a Deacon? |
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233 | (5) |
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What Is the Role of a Deacon? |
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238 | (6) |
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What Is the Relationship Between the Office of Deacon and the Office of Elder? |
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244 | (5) |
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What Are the Reasons for Affirming That Women Can Be Deacons? |
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249 | (4) |
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What Are the Reasons for Affirming That Women Cannot Be Deacons? |
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253 | (6) |
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Is It Important to Use the Titles ``Elder'' and ``Deacon''? |
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259 | (4) |
| Selected Bibliography |
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263 | (2) |
| Scripture Index |
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265 | |
