The Component Parts of the Institution: The Peculiar Office (1)

The matter with which we shall deal in this essay is the special (bizondere) in distinction from the char­ismatic office and that of all believers. The special or peculiar office (that of elder, deacon and minister of the Gospel) enters into the very essence of the church as institution. It shall have served its purpose with the second advent of Christ. As to the charismatic office, it disappeared with the passing of the apostles. The office of all believers, as was before said, enters into the...