Among the names and families listed, we find different offices fulfilled. There were overseers (Neh. 11:9,14,22). There were those that did the work of the house and those that did the outward work of the house (Neh. 11:12,16,22). Mattaniah, of the house of Asaph, led with thanksgiving in prayer (Neh. 11:17). The porters, Akkub, Talmon and their brethren, kept the gates (Neh. 11:19). Finally, Pethahiah represented the people before the King (Neh. 11:24). Similarly, in the assembly today there are different offices. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Rom. 12:45). Like a natural body, the church is composed of many members and no one member can replace another in service.
The Apostle Paul also speaks of gift: “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us” (Rom. 12:6). These are especially taken up in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 12). Some gifts differ from our usual perception of a gift; we read of the gift of service, the gift of leading, the gift of helps, and the gift of governments. While office and gift are not to be confused, office is often accompanied by a prerequisite gift. However, whereas an office is confined to the local assembly, those gifts related to public ministry are given for the edification of the church as a whole. “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12). Though the foundation has been laid — the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the corner stone (Eph. 2:20) — evangelists, pastors, and teachers, continue to be raised up of the Lord for the edifying of the church as a whole.
When comparing the offices described in Nehemiah’s day with those of the present dispensation, a few remarks should be made. Even today there are men raised up of God to exercise oversight in the assembly; likewise, there are those who serve within the house of God: “the house of Stephanas ... they have devoted themselves to the saints for service” (1 Cor. 16:15 JND). These are not appointed by individuals, the presbytery, or the assembly — but rather, they act as led by the Holy Spirit: “wherein the Holy Spirit has set you as overseers” (Acts 20:28 JND). In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, the characteristic qualities of those that desire to exercise oversight, or to serve, are presented in the third chapter.
In the assembly we also find those who are especially suited to the keeping of the gates; they have godly discernment to detect that which is contrary to the Word of God. On the other hand, whereas we read in Nehemiah of Mattaniah, from the musical family of Asaph, who began the thanksgiving in prayer, no such position exists today. All believers have the privilege of serving as priests; there is no office or gift for prayer or worship — there is no priestly caste. Instead we read, “yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5 JND). Drawing a different parallel, we can, however, be thankful for those singers who have the ability to raise and carry a tune — in spite of the best efforts of their less musical brethren!
In the case of Pethahiah, who advocated for the people before the king, it is the Lord Himself who now sits at the right hand of God representing His people. Nevertheless, there are individuals who have a special prayer ministry for the saints of God. “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Col. 4:12). Intercession on behalf of the saints of God, and for all men, is a very important and overlooked aspect of prayer (1 Tim. 2:1).
As a final note, it is all very well to be thankful for the office fulfilled by others, but what of ourselves? Two attitudes can do much to weaken an assembly. The one is the individual who is envious of the function served by others and is constantly seeking to be recognized, “where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16); the other is the person who fails to exercise their God-given function within the assembly.