As we continue our biblical survey, we inquire, “If Jesus wants His main ambassadors to be men, what about other messengers?” Many carry the message of Jesus forward in various ways. Those who receive or see healings quickly spread the news. To Legion, freed from many demons, Jesus says, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you” (Luke 8:39). The Samaritan woman helps to convert many in her village (John 4:28-30, 39). Most famously, an angel sends the women to report Jesus’ resurrection to the apostles (Matthew 28:7; Luke 24:9). The difference between these examples and the apostles is the public nature of appointment. Jesus Himself is “appointed” (Luke 2:34; Acts 3:20; 10:38). Jesus in turn “appointed the twelve” (Mark 3:16). To them He adds another group, with miraculous powers, for a mission of public proclamation.
The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to go (Luke 10:1).
This concept of appointment extends into the church. As funds for famine relief are collected, a trusted brother is “appointed by the churches” to travel with the fund-raisers (2 Corinthians 8:19). The apostolic missionaries “appointed elders for them in every church” (Acts 14:23 cf. Titus 1:5). Elders are married males with obedient children, as shown by 1 Timothy 3:2, 4-5.
An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife…. 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?
Appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers (Titus 1:5-6).
Deacons likewise must have faithful wives and cooperative children (1 Timothy 3:8-13 cf. Philippians 1:1). Ephesians shows the recognized leadership roles in New Testament times.
He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12).