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One-Wife Requirement of an Overseer/Bishop “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; ” (I Timothy 3:2) Polygamy was a practice during the era of the first and second law (Deuteronomy). However, at the time of the reproof of the redaction (Deuteronomy) by the Lord Jesus, he referred to the monogamy of Adam and Eve (Mark 10:6) as an original, good and acceptable example. Hence, it seems followers of Jesus and teachers of the church recognized a monogamous and better way for their men to exemplify the restoration of the monogamous institution of marriage and fulfillment of the law in their personal lives. None of the early church officials were noted as having more than one wife, nor as antagonists against the reproof. The overseer/bishop is relatively over the deacons, and of course, meeting or surpassing the character required of them. The local church has gifts and is under his theological authority. The overseer is subject to the pastoral letters (I Ti. 3:14-16). The office of an overseer/bishop is for a family man, not a bachelor or even a married man without children. An overseer must be married and not a polygamist or remarried! He must have a well-controlled family including a clean (not defiled) wife and orderly children. Society looks upon such men and their close relatives for an example how their own families should live. Ministers of the church are as stars in the dark sky, they give light and direction. Someone like Kenneth Copeland could not qualify as an overseer/bishop. He has had more than one woman (wife). Actually, he should be shunned at the doors of any congregation unless he annuls his adulterous relationship with Gloria. Seminaries, bishops and deacons need to learn how to teach their students how to discern between adultery, fornication and approved marriage; and how to prove it using the law.
Links: Transparency: Discernment Between Fornication And Marriage Edification On The Gift Of Tongues
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