History of Presbyterianism

versity of tongues. Having these gifts difiering ac- cording to the grace that is given unto us, whether prophesying, let us prophesy according to the pro— portion of faith, or ministering, let us wait on our ministering, or he that teacheth, on teaching, or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity, he that ruleth, with dili- gence, he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.” It is evident from these and other passages of Scrip- ture that proper office bearers have been duly ap— pointed and invested with power and authority for conducting in an efficient manner, both the external and internal affairs of the Christian church. Some of these office bearers are of an extraordinary kind, such as apostles, prophets and evangelists, and ceased with the apostolic age. When the canon of Scripture was completed and the gospel promul- gated and confirmed, the necessity for such extra— ordinary 0r supernatural gifts and office bearers was practically superseded. Others of these office bear- ers, however, were ordinary and were consequently to remain in the church till the end of time. Those officers that are permanent are of two classes, Bish— ops and Deacons. Thus the apostle in his epistle to the Philippian Church, which was at that time com— pletely organized, addressed himself to “All the Saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons.” Here the saints, to- gether with the Bishops and Deacons, are the sole parties addressed, as constituting the regularly or— ganized and fully equipped church or congregation

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