On October 7, 1974, Brother Stephen delivered a ministry focused on the conduct within God's house, referencing 1 Timothy 3:15. He emphasized the importance of church governance and discipline, highlighting that the church is the assembly of the living God and the pillar of truth. Stephen discussed the qualifications for overseers, stressing the need for character over ability, as overseers must manage their households well before leading the church. He noted that church government is local, with elders appointed to oversee the local assembly, while Christ remains the head of the universal church. Stephen also addressed the role of deacons and the necessity of church discipline, which should be approached with love and aimed at restoration. He outlined three types of discipline: brotherly, fatherly, and church discipline, emphasizing that discipline should always seek to restore rather than punish. The ministry concluded with a call for unity and cooperation among all members of the body of Christ, ensuring that each individual contributes to the church's growth and function.
Introduction to the ministry and key verse (1 Timothy 3:15)
Importance of conduct in God's house
Qualifications for overseers and the emphasis on character
Local vs. universal church governance
Role of elders and deacons
Church discipline: types and purpose
Call for unity and cooperation in the body of Christ
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.