Priesthood Offices - Book of Mormon Gospel Topics

Old Testament New Testament Book of Mormon Statements of Belief

Origins of the Topic

What priesthood offices exist in God's priesthood?

Different denominations recognize different priesthood offices. What offices are described in the scriptures?

Commentary: God is unchangeable, yet it appears that different priesthood offices are mentioned between the Old and New Testaments.

When did God's priesthood begin?

Many denominations believe that the Levitical priesthood is God's first priesthood.

Commentary: Several priesthood offices existed before the Levitical priesthood. Hebrews 7:11-12 describes a change in the priesthood to the priesthood that existed before the Levitical priesthood.

Old Testament

Melchizedek was in God's priesthood before Aaron - Key Verse -
Genesis 14:18 - And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. Commentary: God’s priesthood existed before Aaron. Priesthood is not limited to the descendents of Aaron. Melchizedek (a non-Israelite name) was not even of the house of Israel – God’s priesthood existed for people other than the descendants of Abraham.

Jethro was a priest in God's priesthood before the Levitical priesthood - Key Verse -
Exodus 3:1 & 18:12 [3:1] Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. [18:12] And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

Elders were in God's priesthood before Aaron - Key Verse -
Exodus 12:21 - Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. Commentary from Easton’s Dictionary: The Jewish eldership was transferred from the old dispensation to the new. "The creation of the office of elder is nowhere recorded in the New Testament, as in the case of deacons and apostles, because the latter offices were created to meet new and special emergencies, while the former was transmitted from the earliest times. In other words, the office of elder was the only permanent essential office of the church under either dispensation." The "elders" of the New Testament church were the "pastors" (Eph 4:11), "bishops or overseers" (Act 20:28), "leaders" and "rulers" (Heb 13:7; Th1 5:12) of the flock. Commentary from JewishEncyclopedia: The position and function of the elder are nowhere clearly defined. "What there was of permanent official authority lay in the hands of the elders and heads of the houses; Together with the priests, they sometimes participated in certain sacrificial rites (Lev. iv. 15, ix. 1). The Mishnah speaks of the elders as the recipients of the oral law from Joshua (Abot i. 1), and as the forerunners of the Sanhedrin (Sanh. 2a).

Elders were in God's priesthood before Aaron - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Exodus 12:21 - Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

Commentary from Easton’s Dictionary: The Jewish eldership was transferred from the old dispensation to the new. "The creation of the office of elder is nowhere recorded in the New Testament, as in the case of deacons and apostles, because the latter offices were created to meet new and special emergencies, while the former was transmitted from the earliest times. In other words, the office of elder was the only permanent essential office of the church under either dispensation." The "elders" of the New Testament church were the "pastors" (Eph 4:11), "bishops or overseers" (Act 20:28), "leaders" and "rulers" (Heb 13:7; Th1 5:12) of the flock.

Commentary from JewishEncyclopedia: The position and function of the elder are nowhere clearly defined. "What there was of permanent official authority lay in the hands of the elders and heads of the houses; Together with the priests, they sometimes participated in certain sacrificial rites (Lev. iv. 15, ix. 1). The Mishnah speaks of the elders as the recipients of the oral law from Joshua (Abot i. 1), and as the forerunners of the Sanhedrin (Sanh. 2a).

Priests existed in God's priesthood before Aaron - Key Verse -
Exodus 19:20-22 [20] And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. [21] And the Lord said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish. [22] And let the priests also, which come near to the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break forth upon them. Commentary: Priesthood (priests) existed before the covenant for the everlasting priesthood was made in Exodus 40:15. Priesthood is not limited to the descendents of Aaron.

Priests existed in God's priesthood before Aaron - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Exodus 19:20-22
[20] And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
[21] And the Lord said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish.
[22] And let the priests also, which come near to the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break forth upon them.

Commentary: Priesthood (priests) existed before the covenant for the everlasting priesthood was made in Exodus 40:15. Priesthood is not limited to the descendents of Aaron.

Seventy elders (i.e. Seventy) is an office in God's priesthood - Key Verse -
Numbers 11:16 - And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. Commentary: Refer to Luke 10:1 for the New Testament use of the Seventy.

Confirms that Melchizedek was in God's priesthood - Key Verse -
Psalm 110:4 - The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

New Testament

The office of Seventy (elders) was used in the New Testament - Key Verse -
Luke 10:1 - After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Priests were in God's priesthood - Key Verse -
John 1:19 - And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? Commentary: Opens a question about which priests were not Levites?

Prophets and teachers are offices of the church - Key Verse -
Acts 13:1 - Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Apostles, prophets, and teachers are offices in God's priesthood - Key Verse -
1 Corinthians 12:28-29 [28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are ministry offices in God's priesthood - Key Verse -
Ephesians 4:11-12 [11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Commentary: The implementation (not the function) of the office of teacher has changed over time. The office of Teacher and the function of teaching are not always clear in the Bible. The Greek DIDASKALOS corresponds to the Hebrew Rabbi (John 1:38, 20:16). Looking at the greek transliteration of New Testament references to teacher are helpful to understand whether the office or function is being described. Reference URL: In Deuteronomy, we read that the Levites will “teach thy decisions to Jacob, and thy instructions to Israel.” This refers to the priestly office of teacher in the Hebrew nation which all Levites could participate in. This consisted in interpreting the law of the Lord and teaching it to the people. Usually this teaching office was performed within or around the temple area. One of the main ways the priest-teacher taught was by way of the torah. These were short teachings on particular topics typically about a practical conduct or ritual purity. Yet Fr. de Vaux believes that the priest’s teaching authority was not necessarily limited to interpreting the law or to determining ritual purity. One can see the influence of the priest’s teaching in the very name of the Pentateuch: the Torah. Like the office of oracle, as the priesthood developed the office of teacher slowly expanded to those who were not Levites. By the time of Jesus, the teaching of the law had moved out of the temple into the synagogue and was performed mostly by the rabbis instead of the priests. Reference URL: As an act dedicating the candidate as a teacher of the Law and recipient of the divine grace the ceremony is mentioned three times in the two Epistles to Timothy (I. v. 22, II. i. 6). The custom, therefore, had become a Christian institution by the middle of the second century, and this fact may have induced the Palestinian Jews to abandon it. At the same time the name was changed, the term "minnuy" (institution, appointment) being substituted for "semikah," or "semikuta," which had been derived from the practise of laying on of hands. Reference URL: After the suppression of the Patriarchate and Sanhedrin by Theodosius II in 425, there was no more formal ordination in the strict sense. A recognized scholar could be called Rab (Rabbi) or Hacham, like the Babylonian sages.

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are ministry offices in God's priesthood - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Ephesians 4:11-12
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Commentary: The implementation (not the function) of the office of teacher has changed over time. The office of Teacher and the function of teaching are not always clear in the Bible. The Greek DIDASKALOS corresponds to the Hebrew Rabbi (John 1:38, 20:16). Looking at the greek transliteration of New Testament references to teacher are helpful to understand whether the office or function is being described. Reference URL: In Deuteronomy, we read that the Levites will “teach thy decisions to Jacob, and thy instructions to Israel.” This refers to the priestly office of teacher in the Hebrew nation which all Levites could participate in. This consisted in interpreting the law of the Lord and teaching it to the people. Usually this teaching office was performed within or around the temple area. One of the main ways the priest-teacher taught was by way of the torah. These were short teachings on particular topics typically about a practical conduct or ritual purity. Yet Fr. de Vaux believes that the priest’s teaching authority was not necessarily limited to interpreting the law or to determining ritual purity. One can see the influence of the priest’s teaching in the very name of the Pentateuch: the Torah. Like the office of oracle, as the priesthood developed the office of teacher slowly expanded to those who were not Levites. By the time of Jesus, the teaching of the law had moved out of the temple into the synagogue and was performed mostly by the rabbis instead of the priests. Reference URL: As an act dedicating the candidate as a teacher of the Law and recipient of the divine grace the ceremony is mentioned three times in the two Epistles to Timothy (I. v. 22, II. i. 6). The custom, therefore, had become a Christian institution by the middle of the second century, and this fact may have induced the Palestinian Jews to abandon it. At the same time the name was changed, the term "minnuy" (institution, appointment) being substituted for "semikah," or "semikuta," which had been derived from the practise of laying on of hands. Reference URL: After the suppression of the Patriarchate and Sanhedrin by Theodosius II in 425, there was no more formal ordination in the strict sense. A recognized scholar could be called Rab (Rabbi) or Hacham, like the Babylonian sages.

Bishops and Deacons are offices in the church - Key Verse -
Philippians 1:1 - Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

God's church existed from the beginning - Key Verse -
Colossians 1:12-19 [12] Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: [13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: [15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: [16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. [19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

God's church existed from the beginning - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Colossians 1:12-19
[12] Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
[13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
[14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
[15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
[16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
[17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
[18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
[19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Bishop is an office of the church - Key Verse -
1 Timothy 3:1-2 [1] This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. [2] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Deacon is an office of the church - Key Verse -
1 Timothy 3:10-13 [10] And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. [11] Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. [12] Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. [13] For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Deacon is an office of the church - Key Verse - Key Scripture

1 Timothy 3:10-13
[10] And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
[11] Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
[12] Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
[13] For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Jesus changed the priesthood back to the priesthood that existed at the time of Melchisedec. Indicates that priesthood existed before Aaron - Key Verse -
Hebrews 7:11-12 [11] If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? [12] For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. Commentary: Priesthood is not limited to the descendents of Aaron. In combination with Hebrews 7:24, the Aaronic priesthood was a change from the everlasting priesthood since the Israelites could not follow all of God’s word and were, instead, given a law that they could follow. Jesus changed the priesthood from the Levitical priesthood back to the original priesthood that existed at the time of Melchisedec.

Jesus changed the priesthood back to the priesthood that existed at the time of Melchisedec. Indicates that priesthood existed before Aaron - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Hebrews 7:11-12
[11] If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
[12] For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Commentary: Priesthood is not limited to the descendents of Aaron. In combination with Hebrews 7:24, the Aaronic priesthood was a change from the everlasting priesthood since the Israelites could not follow all of God’s word and were, instead, given a law that they could follow. Jesus changed the priesthood from the Levitical priesthood back to the original priesthood that existed at the time of Melchisedec.

God's priesthood has existed since the beginning - Key Verse -
Hebrews 7:22-24 [22] By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. [23] And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: [24] But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Commentary: Jesus has an unchangeable priesthood. Since Jesus existed from the beginning, God's original priesthood has been everlasting from the beginning.

God's priesthood has existed since the beginning - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Hebrews 7:22-24
[22] By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
[23] And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
[24] But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Commentary: Jesus has an unchangeable priesthood. Since Jesus existed from the beginning, God's original priesthood has been everlasting from the beginning.

Book of Mormon

Priests and teachers are in God's priesthood - Key Verse -
2 Nephi 4:42 - And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers over the land of my people.

Priests were ordained - Key Verse -
Mosiah 9:51-53 [51] And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. [52] And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets. [53] Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.

Priests were ordained - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Mosiah 9:51-53
[51] And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
[52] And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.
[53] Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.

High priests and priests are in God's priesthood - Key Verse -
Mosiah 11:17-19 [17] And now Alma was their high priest, he being the founder of their church. [18] And it came to pass that none received authority to preach or to teach, except it were by him from God. [19] Therefore he consecrated all their priests, and all their teachers, and none were consecrated except they were just men.

Teachers, priests, and elders are in God's priesthood - Key Verse -
Alma 2:11 - Now this was the cause of much affliction to Alma, yea, and to many of the people whom Alma had consecrated to be teachers, and priests, and elders, over the church;

Priests and elders were ordained by the laying on of hands (semikah) - Key Verse -
Alma 4:1 - And now it came to pass that after Alma had made an end of speaking unto the people of the church, which was established in the city of Zarahemla, he ordained priests and elders, by laying on his hands according to the order of God, to preside and watch over the church.

High priests are in God's priesthood - Key Verse -
Alma 10:1 - Now as I said concerning the holy order of this high priesthood: there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God;

Statements of Belief

- No Found or Stated Position

- Consistent with Scripture

- Partially Consistent with Scripture

- Inconsistent with Scripture

Anabaptism

Anglican

Assyrian Church

Church of Christ

Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches)

(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Community of Christ

Eastern Orthodox

Islam

Jehovah's Witnesses

Judaism

Lutheran

Methodist

Pentecostal

Presbyterian

Roman Catholic

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Southern Baptist Convention

Anabaptism -

HISTORY AND THEOLOGY OF ORDINATION IN THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN - The Church of the Brethren views ministry in the light of a belief in the "priesthood of all believers." The Old Testament proclaims that at Mount Sinai the entire people of Israel were called to be a "priestly kingdom and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). The New Testament adapts this language to the community of faith who are now followers of Jesus (1 Peter 2:9), emphasizing again what came to be known as a "priesthood of all believers." All who belong to God in Christ are priests, participating through baptism in Jesus' calling and through the Spirit to be God's presence in the world. This priesthood of all believers is basic to our understanding of ministry. Membership in Jesus Christ is enrollment into the ministry of the priesthood of all believers.

Mennonite Church - Biblical and Theological Support for Bivocational Ministry - Scripture teaches that leadership gifts are given by God for the benefit of all and not for one's own career development. Ephesians 4 lists the gifts God gave, but then describes the end toward which those gifts point: "to equip the saints for the work of ministry". By our baptismal covenant, we are all given a ministry to live out as part of our loving relationship with Christ. But this often cannot be done without equipping and encouraging. Mennonites intend to call pastors with the mandate to equip others. The ministry of all, priesthood of all believers, is a tenet of Mennonite theology as well

Commentary: Priesthood where people select themselves (priesthood of all believers) is not consistent with the scriptures.

Anglican -

Anglican ministry - Bishops provide the leadership for the Anglican Communion, including the Free Church of England, in accordance with episcopal polity...Since the English Reformation, deacons have been the lowest order of clergy in the Anglican Communion and the Free Church of England: the minor orders (which only came to be clearly defined at the Council of Trent), having been removed from the hierarchy...Certain laypeople may receive specific commission or authorisation from a bishop (often on recommendation of a parish or its clergy) to perform certain aspects of ministry. The rationale for licensing is that the ministry is considered too specialised or otherwise extraordinary to be carried out in the absence of individual evaluation and recommendation...Although derived from the same name as deacons, deaconesses have often been considered lay ministers in the church (probably at least from the time of the First Council of Nicaea, which agreed with this view). Deaconesses disappeared completely from the Western Church by the eleventh century. In 1836, Theodor and Friederike Fliedner founded the first deaconess house in Kaiserswerth on the Rhine. In 1862, the Bishop of London, Archibald Campbell Tait, restored the "ancient order of deaconesses" with Elizabeth Ferard by the laying on of hands. Women were ordained deaconesses by the Bishop of Alabama (in 1885) and the Bishop of New York (1887), and gradually, more dioceses began to make deaconesses, but there was no clear consensus: some intended that deaconesses be in holy orders, and others did not. In churches that now ordain women, the order of deaconess has largely died out...In many parts of the Anglican Communion, day to day parish ministry is carried out by catechists. A catechist in most parts of the Anglican Communion is someone who is licensed by the bishop on recommendation of the priest and local church council.

Episcopal Church (United States) - The middle judicatory consists of a diocese headed by a bishop who is assisted by a standing committee.[138] The bishop and standing committee are elected by the diocesan convention whose members are selected by the congregations. The election of a bishop requires the consent of a majority of standing committees and diocesan bishops.[139] Conventions meet annually to consider legislation (such as revisions to the diocesan constitution and canons) and speak for the diocese. Dioceses are organized into nine provinces. Each province has a synod and a mission budget, but it has no authority over its member dioceses.

Commentary: Bishops, priests, deacons are consistent with the scriptures. The decision to enter the ministry is by the members themselves, which is not consistent with the scriptures. Other offices (e.g. elders, teachers, etc. are not recognized).

Assyrian Church -

Church of Christ -

Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches) -

Epitome of Faith: We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church; viz., apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.

Commentary: These offices are consistent with the scriptures.

(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -

Community of Christ -

Eastern Orthodox -

Islam -

Jehovah's Witnesses -

Judaism -

Lutheran -

Methodist -

Pentecostal -

Presbyterian -

Roman Catholic -

Origin, Purpose and Nature of the Primacy - 3. "First Simon, who is called Peter". With this significant emphasis on the primacy of Simon Peter, St Matthew inserts in his Gospel the list of the Twelve Apostles, which also begins with the name of Simon in the other two synoptic Gospels and in Acts. This list, which has great evidential force, and other Gospel passages show clearly and simply that the New Testament canon received what Christ said about Peter and his role in the group of the Twelve. Thus, in the early Christian communities, as later throughout the Church, the image of Peter remained fixed as that of the Apostle who, despite his human weakness, was expressly assigned by Christ to the first place among the Twelve and was called to exercise a distinctive, specific task in the Church. He is the rock on which Christ will build his Church;9 he is the one, after he has been converted, whose faith will not fail and who will strengthen his brethren;10 lastly, he is the Shepherd who will lead the whole community of the Lord's disciples.

Catholic priests are ordained by bishops through the sacrament of holy orders. Catholic bishops are ordained in an unbroken line of apostolic succession back to the Twelve Apostles depicted in the Catholic Bible...Catholic tradition says the apostles in turn selected other men to succeed them as the bishops (episkopoi, Greek for "overseers") of the Christian communities, with whom were associated presbyters (presbyteroi, Greek for "elders") and deacons (diakonoi, Greek for "servants").

Commentary: The priesthood offices of bishop, deacon, and priest (presbyter) are consistent with the scriptures, but are not all of the offices mentioned in the scriptures. The office of Pope is not consistent with the scriptures.

Seventh-Day Adventist Church -

Church Manual - --Ordained pastors appointed by the conference executive committee to act as pastors or district leaders do not take the place of the president in their respective fields. They are not charged with administrative powers as is the president, but they cooperate with him in carrying out the plans and policies of the conference. On assignment to a local church, the ordained pastor is assisted by the local elders. By virtue of ordination, the pastor is qualified to function in all rites and ceremonies...Religious Leaders of the Church -- Elders must be recognized by the church as strong spiritual leaders and must have good reputations both in the church and community...Election to the office of elder does not in itself qualify one as an elder. Ordination is required before an elder has authority to function. When a church in a business meeting votes the election of new elders, it also authorizes their ordination...The New Testament identifies the office of deacon with the Greek word diakonos, from which the English "deacon" is derived...Today appointment of deacons through election brings similar blessings in church administration by relieving pastors, elders, and other officers of duties that deacons may perform well...Deaconesses were included in the official staff of the early Christian churches..."I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church [deaconess] in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also" (Rom. 16:1, 2).

Commentary: Elders and Deacons are priesthood offices described in the scriptures. Deaconesses having priesthood authority are not consistent with the scriptures (1 Timothy 2:12-15). A Leader is not a priesthood office and cannot administer ordinances. The election of each office by the church membership is not consistent with the scriptures where priesthood are always selected by God. The termination of elected offices is also not consistent with the scriptures where selection by God is permanent.

The office of deaconess is based on the translation of diakonos as deacon or deaconess. The definition of diakonos is - one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister (a) the servant of a king, (b) a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use, (c) a waiter, one who serves food and drink. The King James Version translates Romans 16:1 as servant, not deaconess.

Southern Baptist Convention -

Baptist Faith & Message 2000 - A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its two scriptural offices are that of pastor/elder/overseer and deacon. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.

Commentary: Elders and deacons are offices described in the Bible, but not all of the offices described in the scriptures.