Dictionary entry

Ministers

R. A. Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Called by God Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4

Qualified by God Isa 6:5-7; 2Co 3:5,6

Commissioned by Christ Mt 28:19

Sent by the Holy Spirit Ac 13:2,4

Have authority from God 2Co 10:8; 13:10

Authority of, is for edification 2Co 10:8; 13:10

Separated to the gospel Ro 1:1

Entrusted with the gospel 1Th 2:4

DESCRIBED AS

Ambassadors for Christ 2Co 5:20

Ministers of Christ 1Co 4:1

Stewards of the mysteries of God 1Co 4:1

Defenders of the faith Php 1:7

The servants of Christ's people 2Co 4:5

Specially protected by God 2Co 1:10

Necessity for Mt 9:37,38; Ro 10:14

Excellency of Ro 10:15

Labours of, vain, without God's blessing 1Co 3:7; 15:10

Compared to earthen vessels 2Co 4:7

SHOULD BE

Pure Isa 52:11; 1Ti 3:9

Holy Ex 28:36; Le 21:6; Tit 1:8

Humble Ac 20:19

Patient 2Co 6:4; 2Ti 2:24

Blameless 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:7

Willing Isa 6:8; 1Pe 5:2

Disinterested 2Co 12:14; 1Th 2:6

Impartial 1Ti 5:21

Gentle 1Th 2:7; 2Ti 2:24

Devoted Ac 20:24; Php 1:20,21

Strong in grace 2Ti 2:1

Self-denying 1Co 9:27

Sober, just, and temperate Le 10:9; Tit 1:8

Hospitable 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8

Apt to teach 1Ti 3:2; 2Ti 2:24

Studious and meditative 1Ti 4:13,15

Watchful 2Ti 4:5

Prayerful Eph 3:14; Php 1:4

Strict in ruling their own families 1Ti 3:4,12

Affectionate to their people Php 1:7; 1Th 2:8,11

Ensample to the flock Php 3:17; 2Th 3:9; 1Ti 4:12; 1Pe 5:3

SHOULD NOT BE

Lords over God's heritage 1Pe 5:3

Greedy of filthy lucre Ac 20:33; 1Ti 3:3,8; 1Pe 5:2

Contentious 1Ti 3:3; Tit 1:7

Crafty 2Co 4:2

Men-pleasers Ga 1:10; 1Th 2:4

Easily dispirited 2Co 4:8,9; 6:10

Entangled by cares Lu 9:60; 2Ti 2:4

Given to wine 1Ti 3:3; Tit 1:7

Should seek the salvation of their flock 1Co 10:33

Should avoid giving unnecessary offence 1Co 10:32,33; 2Co 6:3

Should make full proof of their ministry 2Ti 4:5

ARE BOUND TO

Preach the gospel to all Mr 16:16; 1Co 1:17

Feed the Church Jer 3:15; Joh 21:15-17; Ac 20:28; 1Pe 5:2

Build up the Church 2Co 12:19; Eph 4:12

Watch for souls Heb 13:17

Pray for their people Joe 2:17; Col 1:9

Strengthen the faith of their people Lu 22:32; Ac 14:22

Teach 2Ti 2:2

Exhort Tit 1:9; 2:15

Warn affectionately Ac 20:31

Rebuke Tit 1:13; 2:15

Comfort 2Co 1:4-6

Convince gainsayers Tit 1:9

War a good warfare 1Ti 1:18; 2Ti 4:7

Endure hardness 2Ti 2:3

SHOULD PREACH

Christ crucified Ac 8:5,35; 1Co 2:2

Repentance and faith Ac 20:21

According to the oracles of God 1Pe 4:11

Everywhere Mr 16:20; Ac 8:4

Not with enticing words of man's wisdom 1Co 1:17; 2:1,4

Not setting forth themselves 2Co 4:5

Without deceitfulness 2Co 2:17; 4:2; 1Th 2:3,5

Fully, and without reserve Ac 5:20; 20:20,27; Ro 15:19

With boldness Isa 58:1; Eze 2:6; Mt 10:27,28

With plainness of speech 2Co 3:12

With zeal 1Th 2:8

With constancy Ac 6:4; 2Ti 4:2

With consistency 2Co 1:18,19

With heedfulness 1Ti 4:16

With good will and love Php 1:15-17

With faithfulness Eze 3:17,18

Without charge, if possible 1Co 9:18; 1Th 2:9

Woe to those who do not preach the gospel 1Co 9:16

WHEN FAITHFUL

Approve themselves as the ministers of God 2Co 6:4

Thank God for his gifts to their people 1Co 1:4; Php 1:3; 1Th 3:9

Glory in their people 2Co 7:4

Rejoice in the faith and holiness of their people 1Th 3:6-9

Commend themselves to the consciences of men 2Co 4:2

Are rewarded Mt 24:47; 1Co 3:14; 9:17,18; 1Pe 5:4

WHEN UNFAITHFUL

Described Isa 56:10-12; Tit 1:10,11

Deal treacherously with their people Joh 10:12

Delude men Jer 6:14; Mt 15:14

Seek gain Mic 3:11; 2Pe 2:3

Shall be punished Eze 33:6-8; Mt 24:48-51

THEIR PEOPLE ARE BOUND, TO

Regard them as God's messengers 1Co 4:1; Ga 4:14

Not to despise them Lu 10:16; 1Ti 4:12

Attend to their instructions Mal 2:7; Mt 23:3

Follow their holy example 1Co 11:1; Php 3:17

Imitate their faith Heb 13:7

Hold them in reputation Php 2:29; 1Th 5:13; 1Ti 5:17

Love them 2Co 8:7; 1Th 3:6

Pray for them Ro 15:30; 2Co 1:11; Eph 6:19; Heb 13:18

Obey them 1Co 16:16; Heb 13:17

Give them joy 2Co 1:14; 2:3

Help them Ro 16:9; Php 4:3

Support them 2Ch 31:4; 1Co 9:7-11; Ga 6:6

Pray for the increase of Mt 9:38

Faithful-Exemplified

The Eleven Apostles Mt 28:16-19

The seventy Lu 10:1,17

Matthias Ac 1:26

Philip Ac 8:5

Barnabas Ac 11:23

Simeon, &c Ac 13:1

Paul Ac 28:31

Tychicus Eph 6:21

Timothy Php 2:22

Epaphroditus Php 2:24

Archippus Col 4:17

Titus Tit 1:5