Monday, May 25, 2020
The Autobiography Of Malcolm X - 1278 Words
Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, is one of the greatest advocates for race in the nation. However, his opinion of the state of racial issues in our country, and what can be done to solve them. Trials throughout Malcolmââ¬â¢s life of personal opinions and events that have occurred have shaped his outlook on the issue. Alex Haleyââ¬â¢s autobiography novel, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, reveals Malcolmââ¬â¢s changing views on the solution of race in this country through the shaping stages of experiences in his life. Throughout Malcolmââ¬â¢s childhood, he was always the social outcast. Many traumatic events shaped his perception on race early in his life. Malcolmââ¬â¢s father, a Baptist minister who promoted the teachings of Marcus Garvey, was believed to be killed by a white activist group called the Black Legion. Also, his house was burned down because the Little family lived in a white neighborhood. His mom was admitted into a mental hospital so he had to move into a j uvenile home in a white neighborhood. All the negative events in his life had been caused by his race. Additionally, as a result, Malcolm was to transfer into a mostly white school, where, when he was elected class president, felt he was regarded by his classmates as a ââ¬Å"poodleâ⬠. His race was to himself a curse that would always give him the disadvantage for never being seen as anything other that how he appeared, rather than be handed his accomplishments that he felt he deserved. His teachers at his school degraded his dreams, asShow MoreRelatedThe Autobiography of Malcolm X729 Words à |à 3 PagesLiterary Analysis: The Autobiography of Malcolm X The Autobiography of Malcolm X, told by Alex Haley, details the incredible journey of one of the most inspiration and life altering leaders the world has ever encountered. The book begins with the illustration of Malcolmââ¬â¢s early life experiences and ends with X predicting that he will die a violent death prior to seeing the publication of his autobiography. At the beginning of the book, Haley describes how Malcolmââ¬â¢s father, a Baptist MinisterRead MoreThe Autobiography Of Malcolm X Essay1369 Words à |à 6 PagesWho is Malcolm X? Answers tend to vary by person but in the ââ¬Å"Autobiography of Malcolm Xâ⬠, it really delved into the pivotal details of his life and readers like myself, went on an enthralling metaphorical journey to see the intriguing development of him as a child, a young adult, a convict, a follower, and ultimately a leader. For starters, Malcolm X was not born with the infamous and famous X. His birth name was Malcolm Little and the innocent Malcolm Little was very belittled (pun intended) inRead MoreAutobiography Of Malcolm X1614 Words à |à 7 PagesKaykay Zhu October 19, 2017 The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley is an account of Malcolm Xââ¬â¢s evolving perspective on racial justice. Malcolm X was a prominent figure in the Nation of Islam who advocated for black nationalism and separatism. The man who became one of Americaââ¬â¢s most powerful voices for African Americans was deeply affected by the terrors of racism, which shaped his view of social justice and the condemnation of the white man. The way Malcolm X narrates his experiences changesRead MoreThe Autobiography Of Malcolm X Essay1152 Words à |à 5 Pages1 2 THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MALCOLM X Introduction Malcolm X?s autobiography written in collaboration with Alex Haley is an exciting story of personality transformation. During several years, Malcolm X told Haley his biography in several extensive interviews. Haley described and orchestrated the stories and Malcolm X edited and endorsed every part of the book. The story is narrated in the first person and it seems like Malcolm was writing this of hisRead MoreThe Autobiography Of Malcolm X1276 Words à |à 6 PagesThe Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley, and Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody sheds light on how principles of ambition, pride, and faith throughout their lives paved individual paths for revolutionary success. Troubling upbringings as seen in both of their lives eventually instilled a drive that ultimately revolutionized Americaââ¬â¢s perspective of racial equality. Their worldview grows to encompass humanity as one and is developed alongside their spiritual and cultural in quiryRead MoreThe Autobiography Of Malcolm X1701 Words à |à 7 Pagesread the autobiography of Malcolm X. Malcolm X was one of the most controversial Men in American history. Iââ¬â¢m familar with the name Malcolm X however, Iââ¬â¢m not familliar with the works and background of Malcolm X. This is why I choose to read the autobiography of Malcolm X written by himself and Alex Haley. Which gives the read an insight on his background, beliefs, and the American society then. I believe that many people including myself have misunderstood Malcolm X. I believe that Malcolm X is misunderstoodRead MoreThe Autobiography Of Malcolm X791 Words à |à 4 Pageslife. Malcolm X told his life story of how he overcame in his autobiography simply called The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley. His life changed the world historically, socially, and especially politically by taking a stand against racism of all kinds which still exists in todayââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"modernâ⬠standar ds. Using his personal life experience with racism towards African-Americans, Malcolm spreads the word on equality for all with a realistic tone that inspires trust in him. Malcolm X reachesRead MoreThe Autobiography of Malcolm X535 Words à |à 2 Pages The autobiography of Malcolm X is a book that was published in 1965. It is of result of collaboration between human rights activist Mr. Malcolm X and journalist Alex Haley. The book depicts more about Malcolm Xââ¬â¢s life, experiences and beliefs. The book again talks about spiritual conversion narrative that outlines Malcolm Xs philosophy of black pride, Black Nationalism. Malcolm was born in May 19th 1925 in Omaha to a family of Earl and Louise Little. The book also explains to us that he inheritatedRead MoreThe Autobiography Of Malcolm X1505 Words à |à 7 PagesCritical Book Review Book review based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X Introduction: This biography of Malcolm X was a book, which had a purpose of enlightening people on how blacks were treated, it mainly focused on the life of Malcolm and how it affected his life and changed him. Malcolm X is born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, America. A country where racism is so prevalent that his family frequently gets into a confrontation with the KKK and Black Legion society due to his father beingRead MoreThe Autobiography Of Malcolm X1634 Words à |à 7 PagesThe Autobiography of Malcolm X was about one African Americans struggle during a time of extreme racism and discrimination to make a name for himself. Malcolm had many life experiences before tragically being shot and killed. He was a hustler in Harlem, a porter for a railroad, and was eventually a minister for the black Islam movement lead by Elijah Mahammad. Malcolm Little lived a very interesting life to become the man he will be remembered as. Right before Malcolm was born members of the KKK
Friday, May 15, 2020
Essay on Relationship Between Gods and Humanity - 705 Words
The relationship between the gods and humanity in The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey are the same. In each saga, the gods seem to live nearby and are always present. Both epic poems portray humans as simply at the mercy of the gods. The gods feel that it is their duty to intervene if they feel that man is traveling off course from his destiny. However, the gods are not all powerful. Each god has a certain domain and cannot control another gods domain. All the gods including Zeus, the father of the gods, want Odysseus to be able to return home in The Odyssey. However, Poseiden, just one god, prevents Odysseus from returning. It is only when Poseiden is absent from Mt. Olympus that the other gods are able to take control andâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦When man had the gods on his side, he was sure to complete whatever task was at hand. Upon his return home, Odysseus, Eumaios, Philoitios, and Telemakhos are able to kill all the suitors, although there were many suitors and only four of them. This is because Athena favored Odysseus and therefore made it possible for the four men to slaughter the vast number of suitors. The gods also favored Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh prayed to Shamash for strength and safety when he and Enkidu were to travel in the cedar forest. Gilgamesh is then able to kill Humbaba regardless of the fact that Humbaba is a giant and some type of god. Gilgamesh and Enkidu are only able to slay this giant through the divine intervention of Shamash. The gods seemed to favor both Gilgamesh and Odysseus because of their semi-godlike characteristics. Gilgamesh is two-thirds god and the King of Uruk. While Odysseus is not formally a god, he does possess the cunning and physique necessary to be a god, along with being the King of Ithaca. Odysseus experiences numerous near-death events, yet always overcomes the ordeals without any harm. He succeeds in blinding the Cyclopes to escape their island; goes to the underworld and back; avoids being killed by the Laistrygonians; protects himself and his men from the Sirens songs; navigates between Scylla and Charybdis; and heeds the advice of Teiresias notShow MoreRelatedThe World s Beginning God1673 Words à |à 7 PagesThroughout the worldââ¬â¢s beginning God has always had a plan for His people. Since the Day he created Adam and then Eve from Adamââ¬â¢s rib he knew the plans he had in store for them. Fortunately for Humanity, the sin that Adam and Eve fell into is only temporary . Since the beginning God has been carrying out his plan to reconcile the lost communion humanity once had with the Father. The Noahic Covenant established his commitment to creation, specifically humanity. The Abrahamic Covenant shows that Godââ¬â¢sRead MoreThe Gospel Of The Christian Worldview1471 Words à |à 6 Pagesattributing creation to God to loving your neighbor, there is a lot that Christians have to attempt. Which is where the beauty of Christianity really comes because the Christian faith is based on a relationship with Jesus and not necessarily works. Christian Worldview There are multiple essentials that need to be address when trying to define the Christian Worldview. The first being God, the creator of the universe and his personality. The second is humanity and how itââ¬â¢s communion with God has been lost.Read MoreWhat Does Christianity Teach About The Human?957 Words à |à 4 Pagesfreewill are all qualities humanity comprises because of ââ¬Å"imago deiâ⬠, or our creation in Godââ¬â¢s likeness. From the beginning formation of Adam and Eve in Genesis 1 and 2 to the way humans relate to one another in the writings of Las Casas and Truth, these core characteristics of humanity are shown and defined. In Christianity, mankind is brought to life in Genesis 1 and 2 with the ââ¬Å"Creation Storyâ⬠in the Garden of Eden. From the dust of the earth, Adam was made, and from his rib God created Eve. It wasRead MoreTranscendentalism in America: The Philosophical and Literary Movement1062 Words à |à 5 PagesRalph Waldo Emerson effectively uses the over-soul as a Transcendental belief to explain the relationship between humanity, nature, and God. The over-soul or the divine soul is the soul that resides in everyone or everything. Transcendentalist believes that all of life and the included parts of life are connected at an infinite capacity. Often, transcendentalists connect man to nature, and nature to God. Emerson captures this concept by saying, ââ¬Å"Standing on the bare ground,ââ¬âmy head bathed by theRead MoreReligion1641 Words à |à 7 Pagesfor their faith. The acceptance in a triune God, that is; God as three persons that are collectively one, God; the Father, the So n and the Holy Spirit, is a fundamental part in the Protestant Christian Traditions understanding of the Characteristics of God. His nature is also understood as being transcendent ââ¬âexisting out of space and time, and immanent ââ¬â being present within space and time. Godââ¬â¢s image is present in humanity and thus these beliefs in God and his character enable us to get a clearRead MoreAnalysis Of Genesis And The Of God 1080 Words à |à 5 Pagesunderstand that God had something special planned for creation and humanity. Creation, where all things created by God, through the Logos or Second Person of the Trinity, by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, culminating with humanity, was supposed to commune in harmony with God the Father. However, this perfect communion and relationship between God and humanity would be irreparably damaged by the disobedience of Adam and Eve and the indelible stain that act left on humankind. God, in spite ofRead MoreThe Relation ship Between Humanity And The Divine1423 Words à |à 6 PagesRonald Nance Jones, Craig Introduction to Philosophy 6 December 2016 The relationship between humanity and the divine Throughout the course of humanityââ¬â¢s history many questions have risen that have posed a problem to us as a species. Questions such as the following: What is the proper relationship between individuals and society? What is beauty, and why is it important? Is there purpose in human existence?, and many others have caused enough trouble in humanityââ¬â¢s short existence on the earth toRead MoreThe Revelation Of The God Self Essay1397 Words à |à 6 PagesThe revelation of the God-self is the most amazing experience a human being can have. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is full of divine disclosure that inspires and serves as the starting point for Christian worship. God initiates worship through the revelation of Godââ¬â¢s salvific events for humanity, and we respond in awe, humility, and gratitude while ascribing honor and worth to the one and true God while living out a covenantal relationship of love and obedience with the Holy One. Dr. RalphRead MoreThe Essence of Humanity Essay503 Words à |à 3 PagesThe Essence of Humanity What makes us human? What underlying characteristic differentiates humans from animals or Gods? Where does the essence of humanity lie? Initially the answer may seem simple. One might say when comparing animals to humans that they are cruder than humans; they live their life by instinct, they dont love, they dont strive to educate themselves and each other - their overriding goal is to survive and make it through the day. Yet, human history and the scientificRead MoreThe Nature Of Human Relationships1673 Words à |à 7 PagesGod made man in His image and likeness and created woman so that man would not be alone and would have a helper in life. Before exploring the nature of human relationships, it may be useful to begin with an understanding of the innate dignity and humanity within each person. God created man in his image, with all of the dignity that is due one who was brought into being in order to depict the image of God to the world. If one came into contact with God, creator of heaven and earth, would they
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Stages of Learning and Information Processing Theory
Basketball Research Report [Type the document subtitle] 3/21/2014 18218 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 2 2.0 Stages of Learning 2/3 3.0 Information Processing Theory 3 4.0 Feedback 4 5.0 Conclusion 4 6.0 Appendices 5/6 7.0 Reference List 7 1.0 Introduction Motor learning, particularly in the early stages of learning a skill, involves attempts by learners to acquire an idea of the movement, (Gentile, 1972) or understand the basic pattern of coordination (Newell, 1985). To achieve these goals, learners must acknowledge; the way their muscles work together, the subroutines of a skill, their individual practical learning process, and the way the human brain processes information. Basketball is a teamâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Image 4 further shows how Iââ¬â¢ve thrown the ball to the hoop using two hands instead of one. My weight continues to be back, and Iââ¬â¢m further unbalanced as I land with two feet pressed together. The outcome of my lay-up can be seen in image 5 as the ball travels over the top of the backboard instead of rebounding off the top corner of the square, into the hoop. The outcome of my lay-up is reflective of my inability to perform each subroutine effectively and without error, resulting in the performance of a Cognitive stage learner. 3.0 Information Processing Theory There are many different models that define the Information Processing Theory, all of which describe how we think critically. Welfordââ¬â¢s model (Welford, 1968) suggests that we take in information through our senses and temporarily store all of these inputs prior to sorting them out. (Figure 1) A decision is made by comparing the information in the short-term memory with previous experiences stored in the long-term memory. The first stage in the information-processing model is called ââ¬Ëstimulus identificationââ¬â¢ (see figure 1). The person starts off by detecting the stimulus, such as seeing the basketball approach them from a chest pass. The next stage is the initiation of their response. The action of catching the ball and deciding what to do from their current position comes into play in this section of the model. If the action of a lay-up is chosen, they will then complete the movement and organise theShow MoreRelatedCognitive Information Processing Versus Brain-Bas ed Learning970 Words à |à 4 PagesCognitive Information Processing Versus Brain-Based Learning Carla A. Bastian University of Phoenix Cognitive Information Processing Versus Brain-Based Learning Teachers are always searching for effective ways to improve instruction and increase the overall learning experience for everyone. The results of Brain-based learning have presented a different perspective from the theories of the past, how it improves current teaching practice, and learning. Like brain research, cognitive informationRead MoreEssay Kermit and the Keyboard from a Cognitivist Perspective840 Words à |à 4 Pagespresented in Driscollââ¬â¢s Psychology of Learning for Instruction (2005). Cognitive Information Processing, Piagetian Theory, and Interactional Theories of Cognitive Development are the three perspectives given on how Kermit learns to play the keyboard. These theories have similarities as well as divergent views on development. Kermit and the Keyboard from a Cognitivist Perspective Cognitive Information Processing, Piagetian Theory, and Interactional Theories of Cognitive Development explored theRead More Developmental Psychology Theoretical Approaches Essay761 Words à |à 4 Pagestheoretical approaches to cognitive development Piagetââ¬â¢s theory Information processing theories Core knowledge theories Sociocultural theories (Vygotsky) General Themes Nature and nurture Continuity vs. discontinuity Active vs passive child Nurture (environment, learning) John Locke (1632-1704) ââ¬âInfantââ¬â¢s mind as ââ¬Å"tabula rasaâ⬠Behaviorism (e.g. Watson, Skinner) Nurture (environment, learning) A childs mind is a blank book. During the first yearsRead MoreUnderstanding And Guiding Developmental Processes1731 Words à |à 7 PagesIntroduction Physical development refers to physical body changes. It occurs in a relatively stable, predictable sequence. Motor developmental theories provide insights into how children grow and learn. Theories are helpful for understanding and guiding developmental processes. The principle of the maturation theory is growth and development occurs in orderly stages and sequence, that is, certain skills and abilities generally occur before other milestones are reached. For example, most infants learn toRead MoreIdentifying the Components of Cognitivist Theories Used in, Kermit and the Keyboard.1488 Words à |à 6 PagesLenora A. Mayne American Intercontinental University May 2013 EDU 622: Applying Learning Theories Identifying The Components of Cognitivist Theories used in, Kermit and The Keyboard. Abstract Cognitivism emphasizes on the explanation of cognitive structures and process, and the intervention of these structures and processes between instruction and learning (Glaserfeld, 1989). The study of cognitivism has allowed for educators, theorist and psychologist to understand the conceptsRead MoreThe Theories : Dual Coding Theory, Multimedia Learning Theory And Cognitive Load Theory904 Words à |à 4 Pages2.2: Theoretical Frameworks In analysis of the literature on information processing and observational learning in the context of learning with instructional video tutorials, it can be concluded that there are three foundational theories: dual coding theory, multimedia learning theory and cognitive load theory. 2.2.1: Observational Learning Screencasting is popular due to its ability to offer picture, motion and simulation, all of which provide the viewer with a sense of realistic context when attemptingRead MoreTheories of Cognitive Development: an Insight to the Theories of Piaget, Information-Processing and Vygotsky1464 Words à |à 6 PagesTheories of Cognitive Development: An insight to the theories of Piaget, Information-processing and Vygotsky How do we learn? How do we grow? Over the years, psychologists have studied to great lengths the processes that humans go through as they progress from infancy to adulthood. Several theories have emerged over time with three prominent ones. Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky produced two important and distinct theories. Another important theory, the information-processing theory, presentsRead MoreEssay Kermit and Cognition1476 Words à |à 6 PagesUniversity Online Abstract Cognitive Information Processing (CIP), Cognitive Development and Interactional Development are theories of learning based upon the idea that learning is an internal process rather than merely something that can be observed like behaviorism. Here I examine the three theories as they relate to a scenario of a young man attempting to learn to play a keyboard. The objective is to show the similarities and differences in the three theories and how each can be applied to a givenRead MorePsychology: Jean Piaget Essay1598 Words à |à 7 Pagesprogressed through a series of four key stages of cognitive development. These four major stages, sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational, are marked by shifts in how people understand the world. Although the stages correspond with an approximate age, Piagetââ¬â¢s stages are flexible in that as long as the child is ready they are able to reach a stage. In kindergarten, many of the stages of both sensorimotor an d preoperational stage were easy to find. For instance, theRead MoreKermit and the Keyboard969 Words à |à 4 PagesThe Learning Processes of Kermit As I read the story of ââ¬Å"Kermit and the Keyboardâ⬠I began to think of the learning processes that he engages himself in as he tries to accomplish learning task as it relates to playing the keyboard. In this story three cognitive theories can be recognized, analyzed and they are all believed to produce different learning outcomes. These three theories are the Cognitive Information-Processing Theory, The Piagetââ¬â¢s Theory of Development as it relates to learning and
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
The Role Of The Church free essay sample
?The word ââ¬Å"pastorâ⬠comes from a Latin word which means shepherd. The New Testament presents two offices that constitute church leadershipââ¬âelder/overseer and deacon. Paul lists the qualifications for elder/overseer in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Notice that in the 1 Timothy passage, Paul refers to them as overseers (episcopos in the Greek) and in Titus he refers to them as elders (presbuteros in Greek). From this it can be concluded that there is one office with different designations. The word ââ¬Å"elderâ⬠refers to the life experience of the office holder, while the word ââ¬Å"overseerâ⬠emphasizes the responsibility of the office holder to watch over the congregation and meet their spiritual needs. The second office is that of deacon which is described in Acts 6:1-6. Paul outlines the qualifications of deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. The deaconââ¬â¢s responsibility is to minister to the physical needs of the congregation, freeing up the elders to concentrate on their spiritual needs. In Acts 20:28, Paul said to the Ephesians elders, Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Notice that Paul is telling the elders (office) to be shepherds (function or role) over the church. In Ephesians 4:11, Paul identifies shepherding pastors as one function in the Church along with teaching, missionary work, evangelism and prophesy. That this role is important is seen by the emphasis that Jesus puts on it in John 21:15-17 where Jesus charges Peter to feed and tend his sheep. How is a pastor/shepherd supposed to feed and tend the flock of God? He does this by being able to teach the flock the word of God (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9) to bring the flock into maturity and to be resistant to heresy. He is on guard for false teachers, and warns those who stray that there are consequences to their belief and behavior. In the New Testament, the words pastor, elder and overseer can be used interchangeably, with each word providing a different emphasis on what contribution the leaders make to the Body of Christ. The three words come together in 1 Peter 5:1-2 where Peter exhorts elders to shepherd the flock of God and serve as overseers, caring for the flock as they wait for the Chief Shepherd. Acts 2:42 could be considered a purpose statement for the church: ââ¬Å"They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. â⬠According to this verse, the purposes/activities of the church should be 1) teaching biblical doctrine, 2) providing a place of fellowship for believers, 3) observing the Lordââ¬â¢s supper, and 4) praying. The church is to teach biblical doctrine so we can be grounded in our faith. Ephesians 4:14 tells us, ââ¬Å"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. â⬠The church is to be a place of fellowship, where Christians can be devoted to one another and honor one another (Romans 12:10), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and most importantly, love one another (1 John 3:11). The church is to be a place where believers can observe the Lordââ¬â¢s Supper, remembering Christââ¬â¢s death and shed blood on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The concept of ââ¬Å"breaking breadâ⬠(Acts 2:42) also carries the idea of having meals together. This is another example of the church promoting fellowship. The final purpose of the church according to Acts 2:42 is prayer. The church is to be a place that promotes prayer, teaches prayer, and practices prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, ââ¬Å"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. â⬠Another commission given to the church is proclaiming the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The church is called to be faithful in sharing the gospel through word and deed. The church is to be a ââ¬Å"lighthouseâ⬠in the community, pointing people toward our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The church is to both promote the gospel and prepare its members to proclaim the gospel (1 Peter 3:15). Some final purposes of the church are given in James 1:27: ââ¬Å"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. â⬠The church is to be about the business of ministering to those in need. This includes not only sharing the gospel, but also providing for physical needs (food, clothing, shelter) as necessary and appropriate. The church is also to equip believers in Christ with the tools they need to overcome sin and remain free from the pollution of the world. This is done by biblical teaching and Christian fellowship. So, what is the purpose of the church? Paul gave an excellent illustration to the believers in Corinth. The church is Godââ¬â¢s hands, mouth, and feet in this worldââ¬âthe body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We are to be doing the things that Jesus Christ would do if He were here physically on the earth. The church is to be ââ¬Å"Christian,â⬠ââ¬Å"Christ-like,â⬠and Christ-following. The Bible doesnââ¬â¢t list specific responsibilities for either elders or deacons. It lists their qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9), but beyond that Scripture does not provide much information about the positions. As a result, there are a wide variety of practices related to church government. Some churches have a pastor, elders, and deacons. Other churches have a pastor-elder and deacons. There are other practices as well. Since Scripture seems to give a certain amount of latitude in church government, there is probably not one universally correct form that should be applied to all churches. What the Bible consistently teaches is that elders and deacons should be godly men who are above reproach. They serve as church leaders, but are also called to be servants. If we were to make a distinction between elders and deacons, it would be that deacons seem to more of a servant-leader while elders are teaching-leaders. Elders are held to the qualification ââ¬Å"able to teachâ⬠(1 Timothy 3:2) while deacons are not. The title ââ¬Å"deaconâ⬠comes from the Greek word for ââ¬Å"servantâ⬠or ââ¬Å"slave. â⬠This points to their role as servants, as pictured in Acts 6:1-7. If this distinction is drawn between elders and deacons, deacons would have to be responsible to the elders or pastor-elder. So the responsibilities of a deacon will vary greatly depending on the form of government the particular church chooses. All the Bible specifically states concerning their responsibilities is that they are to be servant-leaders. The Bible spells out at least five duties and obligations of an elder:1) The elders help to settle disputes in the church. ââ¬Å"While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the Christians unless you keep the ancient Jewish custom of circumcision taught by Moses, you cannot be saved. Paul and Barnabas, disagreeing with them, argued forcefully and at length. Finally, Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this questionâ⬠(Acts 15:1-2, NLT). The question was raised and forcefully argued, then taken to the apostles and elders for a decision. This passage teaches that elders are decision makers. 2) They pray for the sick. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:14). Since the elders have to meet specific qualifications, their lives are godly and therefore the sin in their lives is minimal and is confessed regularly; therefore, they are used to pray for the sick. One of the necessities in prayer is praying for the Lordââ¬â¢s will to be done, and they are expected to do this. 3) They are to watch out for the church in humility. I exhort the elders who are among you, I being also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of God among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; nor for base gain, but readily; nor as lording it over those allotted to you by God, but becoming examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of gloryâ⬠(1 Peter 5:1-4). Elders are the designated leaders of the church, and the flock is entrusted to them by God. They are not to lead for the pay or the reward but because of their desire to serve and shepherd the flock. 4) They are to watch out for the spiritual life of the flock. Yield to those leading you, and be submissive, for they watch for your souls, as those who must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you (Hebrews 13:17). This verse does not specifically say ââ¬Å"elders,â⬠but it is talking about the church leaders. They are accountable for the spiritual life of the church. 5) They are to spend their time in prayer and teaching the word. And the Twelve called near the multitude of the disciples and said, ââ¬ËIt is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the wordââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ (Acts 6:2-4). This is for the apostles, but we can see from the passage above in #3 that Peter equates himself as an apostle and an elder. From this verse you can also see the difference between the duties of elder and deacon. Simply put, the elders should be peacemakers, prayer warriors, teachers, leaders by example, and decision makers. They are the preaching and teaching leaders of the church. It is a position to be sought but not taken lightlyââ¬âread this warning: Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1). The role of elder is not a position to be taken lightly. The phrase ââ¬Å"the Body of Christâ⬠is a common New Testament metaphor for the Church (all those who are truly saved). The Church is called ââ¬Å"one body in Christâ⬠in Romans 12:5, ââ¬Å"one bodyâ⬠in 1 Corinthians 1:17, ââ¬Å"the body of Christâ⬠in 1 Corinthians 12:27 and Ephesians 4:12, and ââ¬Å"the bodyâ⬠in Hebrews 13:3. The Church is clearly equated with ââ¬Å"the bodyâ⬠of Christ in Ephesians 6:23 and Colossians 1:24. When Christ entered our world, He took on a physical body ââ¬Å"preparedâ⬠for Him (Hebrews 10:5; Philippians 2:7). Through His physical body, Jesus demonstrated the love of God clearly, tangibly, and boldlyââ¬âespecially through His sacrificial death on the cross (Romans 5:8). After His bodily ascension, Christ continues His work in the world through those He has redeemedââ¬âthe Church now demonstrates the love of God clearly, tangibly, and boldly. In this way, the Church functions as ââ¬Å"the Body of Christ. â⬠The Church may be called the Body of Christ because of these facts:1) Members of the Body of Christ are joined to Christ in salvation (Ephesians 4:15-16). 2) Members of the Body of Christ follow Christ as their Head (Ephesians 1:22-23). 3) Members of the Body of Christ are the physical representation of Christ in this world. The Church is the organism through which Christ manifests His life to the world today. 4) Members of the Body of Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). 5) Members of the Body of Christ possess a diversity of gifts suited to particular functions (1 Corinthians 12:4-31). ââ¬Å"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christâ⬠(verse 12). 6) Members of the Body of Christ share a common bond with all other Christians, regardless of background, race, or ministry. ââ¬Å"There should be no division in the body, but . . . its parts should have equal concern for each otherâ⬠(1 Corinthians 12:25). 7) Members of the Body of Christ are secure in their salvation (John 10:28-30). For a Christian to lose his salvation, God would have to perform an ââ¬Å"amputationâ⬠on the Body of Christ! 8) Members of the Body of Christ partake of Christââ¬â¢s death and resurrection (Colossians 2:12). 9) Members of the Body of Christ share Christââ¬â¢s inheritance (Romans 8:17). 10) Members of the Body of Christ receive the gift of Christââ¬â¢s righteousness (Romans 5:17).
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