Church Government
What the New Testament teaches on how churches should be governed
LOCAL CHURCHES As the NT Church started to grow - first in Jerusalem - the Lord began to show that the ministers (12 apostles) should not undertake to try and do all the spiritual AND all the physical duties. Seven, wise, Spirit filled men were chosen to take care of "this business" (the physical duties) so the apostles (ministers) could "give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:1-4). The FORM of local Church Government began in Jerusalem. There was always more than one Elder ruling or guiding (and it is the ministers who guide the church, not a board of deacons, or congregational members, see Heb.13:7,17; 1 Tim.3:1-5, 14-15; 4:11-16) the Jerusalem congregation. Paul acknowledged to the Galatians, some such as James, Peter, John, were of reputation and seemed to be 'somewhat' in Jerusalem. He stated they were pillars, but he never stated they (James,Peter,John) had all power and dictatorial authority in all matters within the church at Jerusalem. The Jerusalem church was large in numbers. There were other apostles there besides the three mentioned by Paul. There were no doubt also other Elders there also, who had been ordained after the Holy Spirit had come on the feast of Pentecost. Nowhere can we find by teaching or example that any NT church was under the dominance of a few self appointed demagogues, not within the ranks of God's true ministers anyway. We can find a false minister ruling like a Hitler, one of the churches and casting out the true brethren, see 3 John 9-10. The Church of God at Jerusalem was a fine example for all churches to follow in the apostolic age. It is the ideal left for us also, as is the church at Philippi. There is no teaching in the NT that one man was to have all the authority over a local church. Instead the example is all churches were guided by a plurality of ElderS! Never, if at all possible, should the guidance of a church be placed in the hands of just ONE individual. The person on whom everything depends might acquire too great an importance, become the center, the "king pin" and eventually distract the believer from looking to the one and only TRUE leader - Christ Jesus. Human nature is such that it is just too easy for man to start following another man(it happened to the people in Corinth - 1 Cor.1:12) and POWER can turn the head of even a true minister of God if he alone has all authority. It does happen! It has happened even during this twentieth century in the Church of God. It is indeed a true saying that goes, "Power corrupts, and complete power corrupts completely." Each NT church was pastored and governed by a plurality of Elders as the following scriptures show: When Paul and Barnabas had completed a tour through a number of places, we are told that, "....they ordained them elder-S (plural) in every church" (Acts 14:19-23). While at Miletus, Paul, "....sent to Ephesus and called the elder-S (plural) of the church" (Acts 20:17). The letter to the church at Philippi is addressed, "....to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishop-S......" or overseers, elders - plural (Phil.l:l). To the church at Thessalonica it was written, "We beseech you brethren to know THEM (plural) who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you" (1 Thes.5:12). Titus was to ordain elder-S (plural) in every city (Titus 1:5). The activities of the Jerusalem church were carried on by elder-S (plural), see Acts 15:1,2. And those who were sick were instructed to call for the elder-S (plural) of the church for prayer and anointing (James 5:14,15). So clearly taught in the NT scriptures is this pattern, it is hard to understand why so much of Christianity ever departed from it. But then so many truths of the word of God have been departed from by so many. We need also to be honest with the instructions and examples left us by the NT church and admit that, there is no evidence to support the idea that churches were governed by the lay members. Lay persons were not authorized by God to ordain, to hire, to fire ministers. They could bring their serious complaints about a minister to another minister for judgement and corrections (1 Tim.5:19,20). The lay members could not vote on what would be the doctrines of the Church of God. They could be present at important ministerial conferences as seen from Acts 15 and given proper respect by all. What could the lay member do if after taking their grievances of an Elder/s apostasy into sin or doctrinal error to other ministers and no repentance was forthcoming, and the local church was falling into practicing unrighteousness? They could leave that minister/s and attend a congregation where the elder/s were faithful to the Lord and truth was being practiced. I also realize today that it can be very difficult in some small Churches of God to find men(plural) who are called to function as Elders. Often it is fortunate if there is ONE who has met the qualifications given by Paul in 1 Tim.3. If there is only one man who can be appointed as elder, what can be done to safe guard against corruptions and vanity, on the elders part, and idolizing him on the part of the congregational members. Here are a few suggestions. 1. A single local pastor/overseer together with the congregation should diligently search for, find and maintain, contact (via letter, e-mail, tapes, magazines, phone etc.) with other Elders in other local churches. This should be done to inter-act as much as time and distance allows, so the single Elder church is not isolated. 2. A single Elder congregation should try as distance and expenses allow, to have other Elders from churches with the same beliefs, visiting and speaking and fellowshipping with them. 3. The one Overseer church must make sure that the Pastor is using the gifts of the Spirit to the fullest, as given to the saints. A true Elder under these circumstances will help, teach, train, give every opportunity for other men to be used of the Lord as the Eternal wills, and so the door is always open for more men within that congregation to be called and appointed to the Eldership ministry. He will regularly be encouraging the congregation to keep praying that "God will send more laborers into the harvest." Local men who can meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and so join him in the Eldership. THE EXAMPLE OF PHILIPPI Paul founded the church at Philippi - his first in Europe - during his second missionary journey (Acts 16). As we read the first and last number of verses in chapter four, it is clear that there was a special spirit of love and giving between Paul and the brethren in Philippi. Notice the governmental structure of the church there: "Paul and Timotheus to all the SAINTS (believers) in Christ Jesus, with the BISHOPS (elders/pastors) and DEACONS (servants)" (Phil.l:l). There were OVERSEERS (Bishops/Elders)-plural, governing the church at Philippi. There were DEACONS (plural) serving the church, and there were all the SAINTS (plural) at Philippi. The church founded by Paul followed the example that the Jerusalem church years earlier had been guided to adopt - a plurality of ministers to oversee the spiritual and physical work of the Lord - a plurality of deacons to administer the physical duties of the church under the Elders. Both groups working to serve the saints of the church, and ALL working together to spread the gospel to the entire world as their means allowed them, and as the gifts of the Spirit were distributed among all present. All of this done with love and respect of each other. That's how it was between Paul and the church at Philippi - that's the example - that's the ideal for us to follow! THE OVER VIEW As shocking as it may sound to some, the NT never designates one particular town or city as "headquarters." There are no such words as "the headquarters of the Church in Jerusalem" in the NT. Not one writer even came close to claiming Jerusalem as the "headquarters church" or any such title. If any did think it was Jerusalem because the "temple" stood there, then God put an end to that idea in 70 A.D. with the destruction of the temple under the Roman boot. As Jesus said to the woman at the well: ".....believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain nor yet in Jerusalem, worship the Father........the hour comes and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeks such to worship Him" (John 4:21-23). The NT never designates any one man as chief apostle or elder. All were equal as ministers, showing mutual submission and humble respect to each other (1 Peter 5:1-5). All were individually free to do God's work as led by the Holy Spirit and within the bounds of the law of the Lord, yet all worked together (as best they could for the age they lived in, and their differing personalities and callings and gifts) to "make disciples of all nations." From the writings of Paul, and examples of the book of Acts, we see different Church of God congregations working together to serve the brethren (when in times of need during periods of famine) and the ministers. There is no way to close our eyes to the fact that the body of believers during the apostolic age were divided into various Church of God "camps." You had the work that the Jerusalem church was doing. You had the work that God called Peter to do (and probably others with him) - going to the circumcision. You had the work that Paul and Barnabas were called to do by the Holy Spirit. Then later the work Paul (and others with him) did to the uncircumcised. There was the work Barnabas went off to do (and no doubt some others with him). I am sure the Ethiopian eunuch that Philip baptized did a work in Ethiopia. Apollos had his work in the Lord. It is clear in Paul's epistles, some were "with him" in the work God was doing in "that branch" of the Church. Some were with him in a "somewhat" way, others with an "off and on" way, while some were fully 100% all the way with Paul and his "work of the Lord." There were brethren who were probably 100% with the branch of the work that Peter was doing. Others were fully behind Apollos and that branch of God's work. Barnabas I'm sure had his faithful supporters. If they had lived in our 20th century their work of God and supporters would probably have legally registered as a charitable work with the government and country they were living in, whereby also having a legal name. So the many branches of the Church of God today is not really so new after all. The apostolic age was very similar in many respects to our age concerning the working of the whole body of Christ. God, through Paul only took exception to this somewhat natural way of man and circumstances, when it exhibited itself in carnal sin. When the brethren allowed puffed up vanity, pride, and arrogance to dominate their attitude into thinking their little branch of the body of Christ was the only true work of God on earth, and the only place where the Spirit of the Lord could be found. When brethren started to look down their long vain noses at other brethren. When some started to "compare" men with men, and ministers with ministers. When they thought and voiced that their group and their ministers were "the greatest" and beyond that to the "only ones" then Paul was inspired to CORRECT them without pulling any punches, see 1 Cor.1:10-31; 3:1-23; 4:1-21. Read the above sections of scripture in a modern translation. Let the corrective words sink deep into your mind. Realize what was going on and the carnal party spirit being exalted. Paul had to painstakingly prove to them that Christ was "in charge" of His work. All true ministers of God such as Peter, Apollos, and he Paul, belonged to Christ and were being used where, and in what way, with what gifts they had been given, to do the will and work of Jesus. What a sad commentary is todays branches of the true Church of God. While most of them preach and teach the same basic truths and doctrines of the Lord, too many of them (their members and ministers) act as if they had no idea there were other branches of the vine out there, and many of those branches came from the very same single branch at one time, the ministers all being a part of the parent ministry. Now many of them display an attitude of contempt and disdain towards each other, even to the point of pretending the others do not exist. The local churches were not governed/ruled/cared for, by one head elder or by a "church board" of deacons or church persons, but by a plurality of elders who were the bishops or overseers, and who were helped by the servants of the "diakonate" - deacons who administered the physical duties under the guidance of the ministers, and who served the saints, respecting them as also part of the team (again I refer you to Acts 15). Each local church supported the local elders and other ministers (out in the mission field) with their everyday needs(personal and for the gospel) as the word of God instructed and their generosity (over and above their duty) allowed. We today do live in an age that in many respects is far different than the first century A.D. One of those differences is we have the power to MASS evangelize via Radio, TV, Video, and Magazines. Someone must have the responsibility to function in those work stations if they are used to spread the gospel. The Holy Spirit gives gifts of wisdom, knowledge, helps, and governments (1 Cor. 12). It is then only common logic and correct administration to appoint to the work of mass evangelism, those who have the talent and gifts to do such work for the Church. Every person in the body of Christ has a part to play as Paul so thoroughly explained in 1 Corinthians 12. Everyone is not the hand, everyone is not the head, everyone is not the foot. The body is not one member but many, yet the many members make one body. Everyone is needed and necessary for the harmonious function of the body. This is a truth, yet it is also a truth that the elders collectively have the oversight and pastorship(shepherds serving and caring for the sheep of the flock) for the whole body and for the whole work of that body. We need to meditate on the words of Paul as found in Ephesians 4:11-16. I will quote those word here as given by the Amplified Bible. "And His gifts were (varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us) some to be apostle(special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists(preachers of the Gospel, travelling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), (that they should do) the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), (That it might develop) until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the full and accurate knowledge of the Son of God; that (we might arrive) at really mature manhood - the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection - the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ, and the completeness found in Him. So then, we may no longer be children, tossed (like ships) to and fro between chance gusts of teaching, and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, (the prey of) the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, (gamblers engaged) in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth in all things - speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him, Who is the Head, (even) Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts closely) joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part (with power adapted to its need) is working properly (in all its function), grows to full maturity, building itself up in love." THE MINISTRY - ITS FUNCTIONS We read about elders, bishops, apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Do these names refer to different offices of RANK within the church? By a careful study of the scriptures and the Greek NT, the word of God shows that EVERY minister of the Church is a bishop and pastor as well as a teacher and elder. Consider the following evidence from the Scriptures on this point: Paul instructed Titus, "Ordain elders in every city as I have appointed you" (Titus 1:5). Then Paul went ahead and explained the qualifications of these elders and said that an elder is a bishop (v.7). Note the word "for" connects verse 7 with verses 5 and 6. Plainly the elders in each local church in every city were bishops which in the Greek means "overseer." This is quite different from the commonly assumed idea that a bishop bears rule and authority over a group of churches or less important ministers. This truth is also seen in Acts the twentieth chapter. Paul, "....sent to Ephesus, and called the ELDERS of the church...."(v.17). Then in speaking to these elders he said: " Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you OVERSEERS (bishops - same Greek as in Titus)" verse 28. So again we see that elders and bishops are the same! Then Paul exhorted these elders of Ephesus, "to feed" (Greek means pastor) "the church of God...." These elders from Ephesus then were referred to as bishops, and pastors as well as elders. All of these expressions referring to the SAME office or function. Then any minister of God, can at any time, be referred to as, i.e. elder Jones, or pastor Jones, or bishop Jones. He is all these words mean from the moment of his ordination, regardless as to whether he is overseeing one or more individuals or one or more local churches. The above truths can be studied in such works as "Word Studies in the New Testament" by Robinson, Earle, and other Greek scholars. APOSTLES, PROPHETS, EVANGELISTS, PASTORS AND TEACHERS? Where do they fit into all this? Are they RANKS within the ministry? Notice! "And God has set some in the Church, first apostles, secondary prophets, thirdly teachers (l Cor.12:28). In Ephesians 4:11 Paul adds "evangelist" after prophets, and expands teachers to "pastors and teachers." We have seen that all elders are pastors and bishops and overseers. They are also teachers, for we see that one of the qualifications for a bishop is that he is able to teach - l Timothy 3:2. Pastors and Teachers are the same - an ordained/appointed minister - an elder. But not ALL elders were apostles or prophets or evangelists in the strictest sense of those words. It is something like this: All people living in the USA are Americans, but not all Americans are Californians. Who decides which man will be an apostle, or prophet, or evangelist? Do men, other ministers pick an individual and ordain him to the "rank" of prophet, or evangelist, or apostle? THERE IS NO VERSE IN THE ENTIRE NT TO UPHOLD SUCH AN IDEA. If it is for man to so do then truly it would be a ministry built on rank. But what says the word of God? "And God (not man) HAS SET some in the Church." God alone must determine who does what function in the ministry. True, God uses His Holy Spirit to lead and inspire other ministers concerning various functions that some elders will perform as needed in the Church and as their individual gifts allow. Such is an example in Acts 13 with Barnabas and Paul. And there may be certain prayers offered and a special laying on of hands dedication for the work to be undertaken, BUT you will notice in that example no person was ordained to another "rank" of ministerial authority and power over other ministers. Nor can any example of any Roman Catholic Church type rank ministers be found in the NT. Some minister/s may ASK and REQUEST another minister to perform or undertake a certain task or job, but the minister has the right to accept or refuse, God being the guide and his individual circumstances coming into consideration. Again, there should be an attitude of loving co-operation and understanding on all sides. Maybe much prayer is needed, sometimes prayer together with fasting is called for. All circumstances must be considered including those of the wife of the minister called upon by others. Certainly the life of a minister of God and his wife (who is also a part of his ministry) is a life of service to the flock of the fold, but in some branches of the Church of God there has in the past been too much "barking" and ordering around of each other as if some were masters over puppy-dogs. Loving respect tied together with humility is what Jesus wants from all His servants as they work together to feed the sheep and make disciples of all nations. GOD HAS SET SOME in the Church, "FIRST (not in rank but function in spreading the gospel) apostles, SECONDARY (in function in proclaiming the good news) prophets (and evangelist added in Eph.4:11), THIRDLY (in function not rank) teachers (pastors in general, Eph.4:11), after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps (deacons), governments (those with good business and administrative skills), different tongues"(1 Cor.12:28). A STUDY OF FUNCTIONS In studying the Greek words and examples in the NT on the various functions of the ministry, I believe we can come to these basic conclusions: 1. An APOSTLE was never an office of absolute, dictatorial authority, but was "one sent" to preach the truths of the Kingdom of God to a large area. As such it was a calling and commission to do God's work, not some lofty rank within the Church. Peter was an apostle and also an elder, as was John also (1 Pet.l:l; 5:1; 3 John 1). 2. PROPHETS were either inspired fore-tellers of events (such as Agabus in Acts 21:10-12), or powerful preachers who taught within the Church (1 Cor.14). Prophets of the latter type are most definitely with us today in the Church, and prophets like Agabus will come again before this age comes to a close. Some ministers have a special gift to understand and put together the many prophetic passages of the Bible, that could also be classified as fulfilling the function of prophet. 3. EVANGELISTS were ministers who primarily preached to the UN-believers, in contrast to Prophets who mostly preached to the believers. An "evangelist" was a minister who had been given the special gift of inspired preaching to the public at large. He could also be pastoring one or more churches. The man Timothy was such a person and elder. It is obvious from Paul's writings to him that he was pastoring at least one church, and probably more, yet he was requested by Paul to "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Tim. 4:5). So it is understood he had the ability to function in that office also. 4. PASTORS and TEACHERS. Many Greek NT scholars believe this is referring to the one office and function of the eldership in general, who were not fulfilling any of the above specific functions. 5. ELDERS usually meant an older person in age as well as more mature spiritually. And though used in reference to all the ministry, was used by Paul to connote those among the congregation who were already elders - already doing the work of the ministry and now should be officially ordained/appointed in recognition of that fact (Titus 1:5). 6. DEACONS were servants of the Church to administer much, if not all, of the physical duties (Acts 6). Great was their work and responsibility - great was their need for wisdom and other qualities (Acts 6:3; 1 Tim.3:813). They, like anyone else in the body of Christ, could receive any of the gifts of the Spirit (Acts 6:8). Though not a part of the eldership ministry, at times and under special circumstances would receive the gift of powerful preaching as other congregational members did (Acts 8:1,4-8,12; 11:19-22). 7. DEACONESSES as Phebe (Rom.16:1) were women who served in the Church, not only among other women but men also and the ministers (Rom.16:2). The Greek had no separate word for female deacons - the one Greek word covered both sexes. Contrary to the opinion of some who think Paul was a male sexist and "put down women" is the fact of many verses in Paul's letters where he had nothing but high respect for women, and commended many to different church congregations, with loving commands that they receive them with all honor and dignity, as faithful servants of the Church and as co-workers with him in the gospel. Yes, there was and is a ministry in the Church of God. A ministry that emphasized SERVICE more than being served - gentle encouragement more than strong rebuke. Being "helpers of your joy" more than policemen or authoritarian rulers. A ministry that emphasized visiting, counselling, anointing the sick, teaching truths, preaching truths, and encouraging the brethren to remain steadfast to the "faith once delivered" more than criticizing or condemning. The ministry of the Church was seen as a life time calling or profession which God placed upon a man. The apostle John was functioning as an Elder right up to his natural death. Of course I say this in the context that all normal mental faculties are working correctly. There is no teaching or example in the NT to suggest the appointment to the Eldership was limited to just a chosen time frame of weeks, months, or years. All natural reading of God's word shows the latter idea, to be just that, an "idea" from man. Unless the man clearly had dis-qualified himself by not upholding the qualifications to Eldership as outlined in 1 Tim. 3, he was when accepting the call to spiritual overseership within the church, accepting an appointment for the rest of his life. His functions and work load as an Elder could vary along the way, from MORE to LESS, depending on the situation, his health, the needs of the churches, and God's giving of gifts to do the work. There were apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and deacons, but not necessarily in that order, and not every local church had all of those ministry functions within its membership. An elder could have one or more FUNCTIONS at the same time! He could be a Pastor/Teacher in a local church, and an Evangelist at the same time. Or he may function for a time primarily as an evangelist. A minister may function both as an Apostle and Evangelist. Or an Apostle may function for a time as a Pastor and Evangelist. A Pastor could also be a Prophet at times. And so it went and so it is as the Spirit of the Lord directs and gives gifts to men. Paul at times was functioning as an elder/pastor in a local church, an evangelist, as well as being an apostle - all at the same time! No one seemed to be keeping record but God, and a few carnal minded enemies that had it in for Paul and others. There was a work to be done and doing it was the prime concern for the true men of God. Jesus, as the head of the Church would decide WHO did WHAT and WHEN. LIVING OFF THE GOSPEL? A true minister of God is a man who knows he has been called to a life long service of unselfish giving of his time, energy, and ability, to teach the word of the Lord to others. It is a call to be employed not of men but of God - an employment that is really a full time job - 24 hours a day - 7 days a week if required. His boss (Jesus) can call on him to work in pastoring, teaching, visiting, anointing the sick, performing weddings, conducting funerals, as well as the basics of studying the word and prayer. All this and more he can be called upon to perform in his duty as a servant of the Most High and as an Elder in the Church of God. The true servant of the Lord has not been called to the ministry to see what physical things he can accumulate for himself, to see how much personal wealth he can acquire for his family from others. He is, like Paul before him, willing to give up all for the service of Christ. He is willing to labor abundantly, suffer persecution and imprisonment for the gospel, face perils from every direction for the works sake, going without many of the comforts of life if needs be, and willing to care for the Church of God (2 Cor.11:23-28). This is the true minister of God! A servant to the people of God, and the slave to his master the Lord Jesus Christ. He has been called to do a special work within the body of Christ, and in the course of doing that work sometimes the comforts and stability that most members of the Church experience may have to be sacrificed. But the question must be asked and answered: Can the servant of the Lord LIVE OFF the people he is serving? Paul had to answer that question for the church at Corinth. His answer is recorded in 1 Corinthians 9:1-18. The LIVING BIBLE gets to the heart of the truth of his words. "I am an apostle, God's messenger, responsible to no mere man. If in the opinion of others, I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you, for you have been one to Christ through me. This is my answer to those who question my rights." Some were saying Paul had no right to live off those he served. "Or don't I have any rights at all? Can't I claim the same privilege the other apostles have of being a guest in your home? If I had a wife, and if she were a believer couldn't I bring her along on these trips just as the other disciples do and as the Lord's brothers do? and as Peter does?" Peter and others were married. Celibacy for the ministry as taught by the Roman Catholic Church can not be found in the pages of the Bible. Those ministers with wives often travelled together at the expense of the brethren. "But must Barnabas and I alone keep working for our living, while you supply these others?" The people at Corinth were not against supporting in a physical way the ministers of Christ, but they would not support Barnabas and Paul for some reason. "What soldier in an army has to pay his expenses? And have you ever heard of a farmer who harvests his crop and doesn't have the right to eat some of it? What shepherd takes care of a flock of sheep or goats and isn't allowed to drink some of the milk? And I'm not merely quoting the opinions of men as to what is right. I'm telling you what God's law says. For in the law God gave to Moses He said that you must not put a muzzle on an ox to keep it from eating when it is treading out the wheat. Do you suppose God was only thinking about oxen when He said this? Wasn't He also thinking about us? Of course He was! He said this to show us that Christian workers should be paid by those they help. Those who do the plowing and the threshing should expect some share of the harvest. We have planted good spiritual seed in your souls. Is it too much to ask in return for mere food and clothing? You give to others who preach to you, and you should. But shouldn't we have an even greater right than them?" Paul and Barnabas were instrumental in raising up the church at Corinth. "Yet we have never used this right but supply our own needs without your help. We have never demanded payment of any kind for fear that," not that they couldn't have asked for support, but for fear that, "if we did you might be less interested in our message to you from Christ." They were not willing to give to Paul and Barnabas, but as Paul found out they were willing to give physical support to other ministers that preached to them. "Don't you realize that God told those working in His Temple to take for their own needs some of the food brought there as gives to Him? And those who work at the alter of God get a share of the food that is brought by those offering it to the Lord. In the same way the Lord has given orders that those who preach the gospel should be supported by those who accept it. Yet I have never asked you for a penny."
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