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To: Fantasywriter; ADSUM
Here are the qualifications for the office of elder and deacon in the CHURCH as outlined by the Holy Spirit through Paul.

If the Catholic church expects us to believe that it alone is the one, true, church, then why does it's hierarchical not reflect that?

On the contrary, it's reasonable to conclude that if an organization does not have church leadership according to the qualifications outlined by Paul, then it is no way any kind of church much less the 8one true* church.

If it does not have a legitimate structure according to the Holy Spirit in Scripture, then it has no business calling itself a *church*.

Titus 1:5-16 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

1 Timothy 3:1-13 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

346 posted on 08/21/2016 1:36:39 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom

Thank you for that timely reminder of the qualifications for elders and deacons. The texts are crystal clear, and represent God’s unchangeable guidelines. Anyone who claims extra-Biblical tradition is a sufficient authority to set aside the direct Word of God has fallen into the same trap that ruined the Pharisees. Jesus minced no words on that subject; it’s terrifying to even contemplate repeating the Pharisees’ error.


350 posted on 08/21/2016 1:58:07 PM PDT by Fantasywriter (Any attempt to do forensic work using Internet artifacts is fraught with pitfalls. JoeProbono)
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To: metmom

Your opinion.

Just another inconsequential protest.


351 posted on 08/21/2016 2:01:32 PM PDT by ADSUM
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