Christ Covenant Church

The ordained priests/pastors shall: 1) be responsible for any unlawful use of God’s house or violations committed in relation to their office(18:1; e.g. fencing the pulpit and table; See Mal 1:6-2:9), 2) (therefore) guard their office and what takes place in God’s house (18:5, 7), 3) be fully sustained (financially) from the holy contributions of God’s people (18:8-20 – most esp. 19-20; See 1Co 9:13-14 w/Mat 10:10), 4) be given a double portion (i.e. receive more compensation than the Levites/ruling elders)(18:25-28; See 1Ti 5:17 – “double honor” = double portion).The Levites’ (or ruling elders’) primary ministry is to the ordained priests/pastors through : 1) helping them (18:2), 2) guarding them (18:3-4), 3) being a gift to them rather than a burden (18:6).Levites (or ruling elders) shall also be: 1) fully sustained (financially) from the holy contributions of God’s people if they are full-time. If they are not then they should be viewed as “lay-elders” and not compensated (18:21-22,24), 2) responsible for