Topical Bible: Christian Minister: Charge Delivered To

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In the context of Christian ministry, a "charge" refers to a solemn exhortation or command given to ministers, often at the time of their ordination or commissioning. This charge serves as a reminder of their duties, responsibilities, and the spiritual and moral standards they are expected to uphold. The concept of delivering a charge to ministers is deeply rooted in Scripture, where several examples illustrate the gravity and sacredness of this calling.

Biblical Foundations

1. Paul's Charge to Timothy: One of the most notable examples of a charge delivered to a minister is found in the Apostle Paul's letters to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 6:13-14 , Paul exhorts Timothy, "I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, to keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." Here, Paul emphasizes the divine witness to Timothy's ministry and the importance of maintaining purity and diligence in his service.

2. The Great Commission: While not a charge to a single minister, the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 serves as a foundational charge to all who are called to ministry. Jesus commands His disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This charge underscores the global and perpetual nature of the ministerial mission.

3. Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders: In Acts 20:28 , Paul delivers a charge to the elders of the church in Ephesus, saying, "Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood." This passage highlights the responsibility of ministers to guard and shepherd the church, recognizing its value and the sacrifice made for it.

Responsibilities and Expectations

The charge delivered to Christian ministers encompasses several key responsibilities:

· Preaching and Teaching: Ministers are charged with the faithful proclamation of the Word of God. In 2 Timothy 4:2 , Paul instructs Timothy, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction."

· Spiritual Leadership: Ministers are called to lead by example, demonstrating integrity, humility, and devotion. As Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:12 , "Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity."

· Pastoral Care: The charge includes the duty to care for the spiritual and sometimes physical needs of the congregation. This involves offering guidance, support, and comfort to those in need.

· Guarding Doctrine: Ministers are tasked with protecting the church from false teachings and ensuring that sound doctrine is upheld. Titus 1:9 states, "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."

Historical and Theological Context

Throughout church history, the charge to ministers has been a significant aspect of ordination ceremonies and ecclesiastical traditions. It serves as a formal recognition of the minister's role and a public declaration of their commitment to serve God and the church faithfully. Theologically, the charge underscores the belief that ministry is a divine calling, requiring divine empowerment and accountability.

In summary, the charge delivered to Christian ministers is a biblically grounded exhortation that outlines the sacred duties and high standards expected of those who serve in spiritual leadership. It is a reminder of the weighty responsibility entrusted to them and the divine authority under which they operate.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 18:1-7
And the LORD said to Aaron, You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
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Numbers 27:18-23
And the LORD said to Moses, Take you Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him;
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Deuteronomy 31:7,8,14-23
And Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it.
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Joshua 1:1-9
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
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Ezekiel 3:4
And he said to me, Son of man, go, get you to the house of Israel, and speak with my words to them.
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Matthew 10:5-42
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter you not:
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Mark 6:11
And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when you depart there, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Truly I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
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Luke 10:1-16
After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, where he himself would come.
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1 Timothy 1:18-20
This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on you, that you by them might war a good warfare;
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1 Timothy 2:1-15
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
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1 Timothy 3:1-16
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.
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1 Timothy 4:1-16
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
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1 Timothy 5:1-22
Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brothers;
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1 Timothy 6:1-21
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
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2 Timothy 1:6-13
Why I put you in remembrance that you stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands.
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2 Timothy 2:1-26
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
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2 Timothy 3:1-17
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
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2 Timothy 4:1-8
I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
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Library

A Selection from the Notices of Mr. Robertson's Sermons, and of ...
... sufficient to acquit her of the charge of barrenness ... be compared with these Sermons
delivered to the ... that therefore it became the Christian minister's duty to ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/a selection from the notices.htm

False Professors Solemnly Warned
... The deepest sighs the Christian has ever heaved, have been ... and what you said there!"
"No," said the minister, "I cannot ... bar and lay it to your charge." The man ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/false professors solemnly warned.htm

Appendix. An Ordination Charge.
... AN ORDINATION CHARGE. ... A minister is no minister who does not see wonder in the child
in the cradle and in the peasant in the field ... [67] Delivered at the ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/appendix an ordination charge.htm

The Wandering Bird
... 3453) published on Thursday, April 8th, 1915, delivered by CH ... old ministers used
to occupy one charge for fifty ... I love to see a Christian minister, I must say ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the wandering bird.htm

The Birth of England's Foreign Missions
... Fuller nor Carey himself had yet delivered the Particular ... A Christian minister is
a person who in a peculiar ... the Holy Spirit upon the people of their charge. ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter ii the birth of.htm

Responsibilities of the Christian Home.
... "What a holy charge Is theirs ... up in the nurture of their divine Master, and to minister
in spiritual ... children who enjoy the benefits of a faithful Christian home ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter vii responsibilities of the.htm

Delivered from Prison
... required for the life of their charge, and because ... of Christ had been miraculously
delivered from prison ... ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 15 delivered from prison.htm

The Bible
... Delivered on Sabbath Evening, March 18, 1855, by the. ... The crime I charge you with
is the sin of ... I am a Christian minister, and you are Christians, or profess to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the bible.htm

Enduring to the End
... The charge of Paul to Timothy, is a very necessary exhortation to every young minister:
"Be thou ... good fight." How many dangers surround the Christian minister! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/enduring to the end.htm

Search the Scriptures
... if I had not misguided you; for I charge you, as ... That is a good habit some Christian
fathers have; when the ... wants them to tell over what the minister has said ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/search the scriptures.htm