Apostolic Stewardship in the New Testament Church
Apostolic stewardship in the New Testament church refers to the various roles and responsibilities undertaken by believers, particularly leaders, in managing and caring for the Christian community and its mission. This concept is deeply rooted in the understanding of the church as the "body of Christ," where each member has a distinct function yet contributes to the unity and health of the whole [2, 3, 4].
The New Testament frequently employs the metaphor of the body to describe the church, emphasizing interdependence and diversity of gifts. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:12, "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ" [2]. This imagery underscores that while there are "many members," they constitute "but one body," with each part essential for its completeness [4, 8]. This unity in diversity is a foundational aspect of stewardship, as it implies that every believer is entrusted with a role by God [2]. The church is called to be a unified body, fostering harmony and mutual care among its members [7]. This unity transcends social distinctions, as "there is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28) [6].
Leadership roles within this body are also described as forms of stewardship. The term "deacon," for instance, originally implied a "helper" or "assistant" [1]. The narrative in Acts 6, where seven men are chosen to oversee the daily distribution to widows, is often cited as the institution of this office, allowing the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word [1]. Bishops and elders are frequently mentioned together in the New Testament, with deacons serving in a correlative role [1]. The responsibility of "shepherding the flock" is a key aspect of leadership, from which the modern term "pastor" is derived [10]. This involves actively caring for the community, guiding them, and ensuring their spiritual well-being.
Paul himself viewed his ministry as a stewardship, a "new way" or "new ministry" given by God's mercy, feeling privileged to share the message of the good news [13]. He also speaks of spiritual gifts as something to be actively used and not neglected. In 1 Timothy 4:14, he exhorts Timothy, "Do not neglect the gift you have," implying that spiritual endowments are a trust to be exercised diligently [11]. These gifts are given by the Spirit and qualify individuals for specific tasks, such as the "work of an evangelist" [11].
The financial support of those in ministry is also presented as a form of stewardship. Paul argues that "as the latter [Jewish priesthood] was supported by the contributions of the people, so should the former [Christian ministry]" [12]. Early Christian practice involved voluntary offerings, from which ministers like bishops, presbyters, and deacons received their stipends [12].
The church itself is understood as a spiritual edifice, a "holy temple for the Lord," built upon Christ, where both Jewish and Gentile Christians are "joined together in Christ" [9]. This imagery reinforces the idea that the community is a sacred trust, requiring careful oversight and unified effort. The overarching principle is that just as Christ is one, so too must his body be one, with allegiance to Jesus transcending differences and leading to harmonious relationships [5].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Deacon — The office described by this title appears in the New Testament as the correlative of bishop. [[420]Bishop] The two are mentioned together in (Philemon 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2,8) Its original meaning implied a helper, an assistant. The bishops were the "elders," the deacons the young active men, of the church. The narrative of Acts 6 is commonly referred to as giving an account of the institution of this office. The apostles, in order to meet the complaints of the Hellenistic Jews that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration, call on the body of beli”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 5:2: 5:2 Care for the flock (literally Shepherd the flock): Our word pastor comes from New Testament imagery of a shepherd pasturing his flock.”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:14: Neglect not the gift--by letting it lie unused. In Ti2 1:6 the gift is represented as a spark of the Spirit lying within him, and sure to smoulder by neglect, the stirring up or keeping in lively exercise of which depends on the will of him on whom it is bestowed (Mat 25:18, Mat 25:25, Mat 25:27-28). The charism or spiritual gift, is that of the Spirit which qualified him for "the work of an evangelist" (Eph 4:11; Ti2 4:5), or perhaps the gift of discerning spirits, specially needed in his function of ordaining, as overseer [BISHOP HINDS]. given t”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 9:14: Even so--The only inference to be drawn from this passage is, not that the Christian ministry is of a sacrificial character as the Jewish priesthood, but simply, that as the latter was supported by the contributions of the people, so should the former. The stipends of the clergy were at first from voluntary offerings at the Lord's Supper. At the love-feast preceding it every believer, according to his ability, offered a gift; and when the expense of the table had been defrayed, the bishop laid aside a portion for himself, the presbyters, and dea”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 4:1: 4:1 This new way (or This new ministry) shows us God’s mercy. Paul felt privileged to have the ministry of sharing the message of good news (1 Cor 15:9-11; 1 Tim 1:12-17).”