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gov-ern v. gov-erned, gov-ern-ing, gov-erns. --tr. 1. To make and administer the public policy and affairs of; exercise sovereign authority in. 4. To keep under control; restrain. 5. To exercise a deciding or determining influence on. (The American Heritage Dictionary) gov-ern-ment n. Abbr. gov., govt. 1. The act or process of governing, especially the control and administration of public policy in a political unit. 2. The office, function, or authority of one who governs or of a governing body. (The American Heritage Dictionary) Rom 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. NIV (the word rendered “govern” in the NIV is also found in 1 Thess. 5:12, 1 Tim. 3:4-5, 12, and 5:17)
All authority comes from God, the Father (Romans 13:1)The Father appointed Jesus, the Son, to exercise all authority (Hebrews 3:1-2, 1:1-4, Matthew 28:18-20) The Father sent the Spirit to anoint Jesus (Acts 10:38) Jesus sent the apostles as his messengers (Acts 1:1-8, Matthew 28:18-20) The Holy Spirit would be sent by Jesus’ authority (John 14:26, 16:7, Acts 1:1-8) Paul’s commission/authority was by the Father and the Son (Gal. 1:1, 11-12) On occasion the apostles, Peter, John, and Paul are recorded as laying hands on believers with the outcome that they received miraculous gifts of the Spirit (Acts 6:1-8 & 8:6, 8:14-23, 19:6, 2 Timothy 1:6) The Son and the Spirit gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:7,11, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11) Laying on of hands was practiced in the appointment of church leaders or workers (Acts 6:1-8, 13:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:14, 5:17-22) Apostles and preachers (evangelists) appointed elders and deacons in the church (Acts 6:1-8, 14:23, 1 Tmothy 3, Titus 1:5-9) The Holy Spirit participates in the process (Acts 13:1-3, Acts 20:28) Preachers (evangelists) were sent out by churches (Romans 10:15, Acts 13:1-3, 14:26-27, 15:24, 15:40-41, 1 Timothy 4:14) Preachers (evangelists) work with the help of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:7, 14)
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