THE FIRST CENTURY ECCLESIA

1. ECCLESIAL LEADERSHIP THE FIRST CENTURY ECCLESIA

2. Different roles within an ecclesia • There are many different roles within an ecclesia (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) • Examples of roles in Acts – Apostles, teachers (Acts 13:1) prophets (Acts 21:9; 13:1) evangelists (Acts 21:8) overseers (Acts 6:3)

3. All roles are important • Not all are teachers • The most important roles are often those that are not seen

4. Financial management • Those who wish to preach should endeavour to support themselves as Paul did. (Acts 18:2-3) • Paul's example of how funds for the poor in Jerusalem were managed (1 Corinthians 16:4) • Honesty in reporting is important (Acts 5:1-10).

5. Collective decision making Decisions were always made by the ecclesia as a whole, not by a small group of individuals • Replacement for Matthias – appointment of a new “elder” (Acts 1) • Selection of 7 elders (Acts 6) • “Jerusalem Conference” (Acts 15) • Moral issue in Corinth (1 Corinthians 5:4)

6. Dealing with problems – Mat 18 • FIRST – Talk to the person alone (v15) with the aim of resolving the difference. • If the problem can't be resolved involve one or two others but still keep the matter confidential between those who are there (v16) • In a small number of cases it may be necessary to involve the ecclesia (v17) REMEMBER, this is a guideline for resolving differences in a positive way; it should not be used in a way that causes harm or to try and enforce a personal viewpoint on someone else.

7. Discussion Look up where the following brothers and sisters are mentioned in scripture and how they contributed to the first century ecclesia: • Dorcas • Timothy • Lydia • Barnabas • Epaphroditus