A leader must also have a good reputation among those who are outside the church. If it turns out that he’s done a lot of wrong things, he’ll be embarrassed, and the devil will be able to ruin his work.
The men answered, “We’ve come from Cornelius, a Roman commander. He’s a good man who worships God. All the Jewish people respect him. A holy angel told him to invite you to his house so he could hear what you have to say.”
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die as believers in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, and they’ll be rewarded for what they’ve done.”