Roles of Believers in the Early Church, not to be used as offices but to meet the needs.
SHALIACH - was the Announcer called the Apostle. The congregation had the highest authority and was the ones who sent out apostles much like Missionaries.
RABBI - Prophet who often had a direct word from G-d. His main responsibility was simply read or preach the Word of G-d. He was to uncover that which is in the Scripture.
MAGGID - Evangelist who would travel from place to place and speak to different congregations.
TZEDAKIAK - Deacon who was the Server and actually distributed to, met the needs and ministered to the poor. Tzedakiak means two things; righteousness and alms giving. They were to be scholars that were appointed over the business so that the apostles would not have to stop studying and praying to do these things. (See Gabaeem) The deacons were to also distribute the elements of the Lords Supper at church or to the sick in their homes.
BATLANIM - Teacher there were always at least ten Batlanim in each congregation of 120 people. They gave themselves to study and teaching the Word and were placed on a salary. Scholars of the Biblical text and the cultural traditions. (Num.14:7)
ZAKIN - Elder was 50 years or older. Zak meant old, not because of age, but spiritual maturity. There were many elders for helping in getting the almost impossible job accomplished. He was to feed the flock, that led not by dictatorship but by example. A spirit filled layperson who set the spiritual climate of the congregation. The Elder was not an office but an important function. (1 Pet. 5:5; 1 Tim. 5:1)
NASIV - President of the congregation came from the position of the Leader and could be considered the Administrator that made sure things ran smoothly. He was highly respected for his morality and spiritual integrity. James, the brother of Yeshua was the president of the early church. Simon, the cousin of Yeshua, succeeded James as one of the deacons.
HAZZAN - ministered to the community to keep order.
PRECENTOR - song leader.
CHAZAN - Bishop (Angel of the church). Also known as Minister, who prayed, preached and took care of the general oversight of the reading of the Law and other congregational duties. He did not read the Law but stood by to correct or oversee that it was done properly. He was also called the Overseer. Mark in 135 AD was the first non-Jewish pastor. (Matt. 4:24-25; Rev. 3:1,7:4)
METURGANIM - Interpreter was one who was skilled in languages and stood by the one reading the Law to interpret it into the mother tongue for those who did not speak Hebrew, as it was always read from the Hebrew text.
GABAEEM - Collected funds, then he distributed the alms to the poor of the community. All these made judgments were the alms were needed the most. (1 Tim. 3:13)
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