Introduction to Elders and Deacons

1. Introduction to Elders and Deacons Isingeniso kuMalunga namaDiyakoni

2. Isaiah 55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts Isaya 55:8 “Ngokuba imicabano yami ayisiyo imicabango yenu, nezindlela zenu azisizo izindlela zami, usho uJehova. 9 Ngokuba njengamazulu ephakeme kunomhlaba, kunjalo izindlela zami ziphakeme kunezindlela zenu, nemicabango yami kunemicabango yenu.

3. Elders are Not.. • Men with good business leadership but not spiritual in their thinking or living. • Lazy or not committed to the work. • One who wants to lead the church by dictating rules and laws rather than by example and true shepherding. • Amadoda anobuholi obuhle kwezokuhwebelana kepha bebe bengenakho ukucabanga ngokomoya bengaphili ngokomoya. • Abangamavila angazibophezele emsebenzini. • Lowo ofuna ukuhola ibandla ngokushaya imithetho nemigomo esikhundleni sokuba isibonelo sokuba umalusi woqobo.

4. Let’s take a journey through the New Testament starting in Acts as we discover elders in the 1st century church Ake siguduze iTestamente Elisha siqala encwadini yeZenzo njengoba sithola amalunga ebandleni lekhulunyaka lokuqala

5. Acts 11:29 So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. Izenzo 11:29 Abafundi base bezimisela ukuba yilowo nalowo kubo athumele njengamandla akhe okokusiza abazalwane abakhe eJudiya. 30 Bakwenzake lokho, bakuthumela emalungeni ngesandla sikaBarnaba noSawulu.

6. Acts 14:21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14:21 Sebelishumayele ivangeli kulowo muzi, bezuzile abafundi abaningi, babuyela eListra, nase-Ikoniyu, nase-Antiyokiya, 22 baqinisa imiphefumulo yabafundi bebaluleka ukuba beme ekukholoweni, bethi: Simelwe ukungena embusweni kaNkulunkulu ngezinhlupheko eziningi. 23 Sebebakhethele amalunga amabandla ngamabandla, bakhuleka bezila ukudla, babanikela eNkosini asebekholwa yiyo.

7. Acts 15:6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. Izenzo 15:6 Base bebuthana abaphostoli namalunga, ukuze bayihlole leyondaba.

8. Acts 20:26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Izenzo 20:26 Ngakhoke ngiyafakaza kini ngalolusuku lwanamuhla ngithi anginacala egazini labo bonke. 27 Ngokuba angigwemanga ukunitshela lonke icebo likaNkulunkulu. 28 Ziqapheleni nina nomhlambi wonke anibeke kuwo uMoya oNgcwele ukuba nibe ngababonisi bokwalusa ibandla likaNkulunkulu azizuzela lona ngegazi lakhe. 29 Mina ngiyazi ukuthi emva kokumuka kwami kuzakungena kini izimpisi ezihahayo zingawuhawukeli umhlambi, 30 naphakathi kwenu kuzakuvuka amadoda akhuluma okudukisayo, ahunge abafundi ukubalandela. 31 Ngakho lindani, nikhumbule ukuthi ngeminyaka emithathu ubusuku nemini angiyekanga ukunilukeka nonke ngabanye ngezinyembezi. 32 Kalokhu sengiyanibeka eNkosini nasezwini lomusa wayo, yona enamandla okwakha nokwabela ifa phakathi kwabo bonke abangcwelisiweyo .

9. I Tim 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. I Thim 5:17 Amalunga aphatha kahle akuthiwe afanele ukutuswa ngokuphindiweyo, ikakhulu lawo akhuthalela izwi nokufundisa. 18 Ngokuba umbhalo uthi: Ungayifaki isifonyo inkabi ebhulayo, futhi: Isisebenzi siyifanele inkokhelo yaso. 19 Icala eliqondene nelunga ungalamukeli, kungengawofakazi ababili noma abathathu. 20 Abonayo ubasole phambi kwabo bonke, ukuze nabanye besabe.

10. Titus 1:5 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— Thithu 1:5 Ngakushiya eKrethe ngenxa yalokhu ukuba uhlele okusaseleyo, umise amalunga emizini yonke, njengokuba ngakuyala,—

11. James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Jakobe 5:14 Kukhona ogulayo phakathi kwenu na? Makabize amalunga ebandla, amkhulekele, amgcobe ngamafutha egameni leNkosi. 15 Umkhuleko wokukholwa uyamsindisa ogulayo, iNkosi imvuse; noma enzile izono, uzakuthethelelwa zona. 16 Ngakho vumani izono omunye komunye, nikhulekelane ukuba niphulukiswe. Umkhuleko oqinileyo, wolungileyo unamandla kakhulu.

12. I Peter 5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. I Petru 5:1 Ngakho ngiyawancenga amalunga aphakathi kwenu mina engiyilunga kanye nawo, nofakazi wezinhlupheko zikaKristu, nomhlanganyeli wenkazimulo ezakwambulwa, ngithi: 2 Yalusani umhlambi kaNkulunkulu ophakathi kwenu, kungabi ngokucindezelwa kodwa ngokwentando kaNkulunkulu, kungabi ngenxa yenzuzo eyihlazo kodwa ngenhliziyo evumayo, 3 kungabi njengabazenza amakhosi phezu kwamabandla enabelwa wona kodwa nibe yizibonelo zomhlambi; 4 kuyakuthi, nxa esebonakaliswa uMalusi omkhulu, niyakuzuza umqhele wenkazimulo ongabuniyo.

13. Rev. 4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Isamb. 4:10 amalunga angamashumi amabili nane awa phansi phambi kwakhe ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, akhuleka kuye ophilayo kuze kubephakade naphakade, aphonsa imiqhele yawo phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi, ethi: Ufanele wena Nkosi yethu noNkulunkulu wethu ukwamukela inkazimulo nodumo namandla, ngokuba nguwena owadala izinto zonke, nangenxa yentando yakho zabakhona, zadalwa.

14. NKJ Acts 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. NKJ Acts 20:28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Amagama esiGreki : Shepherd = Pastor=umalusi Bishop = Overseer=umbonisi Presbyter = Elder=ilunga Same Greek words: Shepherd = Pastor Bishop = Overseer Presbyter = Elder NKJ Izenzo 20:17 EseMilethu wathumela e-Efesu, wabiza amalunga. NKJ Izenzo 20:28 “Ziqapheleni nina nomhlambi wonke anibeke kuwo uMoya oNgcwele ukuba nibe ngababonisi bokwalusa ibandla likaNkulunkulu azizuzela lona ngegazi

15. NKJ I Peter 5:1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; Same Greek words: Shepherd = Pastor Bishop = Overseer Presbyter = Elder Amagama esiGreki : Shepherd = Pastor=umalusi Bishop = Overseer=umbonisi Presbyter = Elder=ilunga NKJ I Petru 5:1 Ngakho ngiyawancenga amalunga aphakathi kwenu mina engiyilunga kanye nawo, nofakazi wezinhlupheko zikaKristu, nomhlanganyeli wenkazimulo ezakwambulwa, ngithi: 2 Yalusani umhlambi kaNkulunkulu ophakathi kwenu, kungabi ngokucindezelwa kodwa ngokwentando kaNkulunkulu kungabi ngenxa yenzuzo eyihlazo kodwa ngenhliziyo evumayo,

16. Elder – “an older man” Common Sense • Episcopos – “an overseer, a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian, or superintendent” Thayer • Shepherd – we will discuss the work of elders from this perspective in our next lesson. • ilunga – “indoda endala” Kuyawenza umqondo lokho • Episcopos – “umbonisi, indoda enikezwe umsebenzi wokuba ibuke umsebenzi owenziwa ngabanye, obhekelelayo, ogadileyo, noma oqaphileyo” Thayer • Umalusi – Sizokhuluma ngomsebenzi welunga kulokhuke kulesisifundo sethu.

17. Acts 6:1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry ofthe word." Izenzo 6:1 Kwathi ngaleyomihla abafundi sebanda, kwavela ukukhonona kubaJuda abakhuluma isiGreki ngamaHeberu ngokuthi abafelokazi bakubo bayancishwa ekwabelweni kwemihla ngemihla. 2 Abayishumi nambili base bebiza ibandla labafundi, bathi; akukuhle ukuba thina sishiye izwi likaNkulunkulu, sikhonze ematafuleni.3 Funani ke phakathi kwenu bazalwane amadoda ayisikhombisa anodumo oluhle agcwele uMoya nokuhlakanipha, esingawamisela lowomsebenzi. 4 Kepha thina sizakuqinisela ekukhulekeni nasenkonzweni

18. Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: KwabaseFiliphu 1:1 OPawulu noThimothewu, izinceku zikaKristu Jesu, kubo bonke abangcwele kuKristu Jesu abaseFiliphu, kanye nababonisi namadiyakoni:

19. I Timothy 3:8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 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. I Thim 3:8 Ngokunjalo namadiyakoni kufanele abe nesizotha, angabi ndimimbili, angabi ngabanaka kakhulu iwayini, angahaheli inzuzo embi, 9 ephethe imfihlakalo yokukholwa kunembeza omhlophe. 10 Nalabo mabaqale bahlole, andukuba babe ngamadiyakoni, uma bengasoleki. 11 Ngokunjalo nabesifazane mababe nesizotha, abangahlebi, abazithibayo, abathembekayo ezintweni zonke. 12 Amadiyakoni mawabe ngamadoda amfazi munye, abusa kahle abantwana bawo nemizi yawo. 13 Ngokuba amadiyakoni akhonze kahle azizuzela ukuma kahle nesibindi esikhulu ekukholweni okukuKristu Jesu.

20. Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. Marku 6:34 Wathi ephuma, wabona isixuku esikhulu waba nesihe ngabantu, ngokuba babenjengezimvu ezingenamelusi; waqala ukubafundisa okuningi.