Abstract:
The article argues that the term "office" and its meaning, as found in the New Testament, cannot be applied without reserve to the understanding of office in the present-day church. From a Biblical and Reformed perspective, the logical place to look for clarity on this matter would be the documentation of the New Testament and the early church of the second and third centuries CE. This article investigates the origin of "office", as well as the intention of office in the New Testament and writings of the early church. A basic assumption is that the understanding of office and church cannot be separated from one another. The article illustrates that Paul's view of the church, ministries, kerygma and charismata, is of central importance for the understanding of the New Testament's intention of ministries.
