Home Church Study

on Elders, Bishops,

Deacons, and Pastors

Copyright © 2007

By Steven Melvin McCalip

Website: www.kingjamesman.com

Email: kingjamesonly@yahoo.com

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A Few Questions to Consider:

Who does scripture say has oversight and rule of the each church?

What does rule of the church mean according to scripture?

What is an elder?

What is the difference between elders, bishops, deacons, pastors?

Does scripture say one man is in charge of a congregation?

Who does Paul address each letter to: one man or several, a pastor or elders?

Who decided on the issue of circumcision in Acts? One pastor of each church or elders from each church?

What authority does an elder have?

Why is there no office of a pastor mentioned?

Why did Paul ordain elders for each church and not a single pastor?

Why haven’t we been taught any of this by any church?

One purpose of elders in the Old Testament: to help bear the burden of the people.

Numbers 11:17-18

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. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which [is] upon thee, and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear [it] not thyself alone.

Examples of Elder Usage showing authority in Old Test.

Numbers 11:25

And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

Deut. 19:12

Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

Deut. 22:18

And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;

A Bishop is one type of Elder

A Comparison of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1

The word “bishop” and its usage (Used 8 times, 6 times referring to elders and once to Judas and once to Jesus)

Paul differentiates between bishops and deacons

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Phil 1:1

There is an office of a bishop

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 1 Tim 3:1

Bishops were ordained by apostles just as elders were

The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. [[[The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.]]] 2 Tim 4:22

1 Timothy 3:2-6

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 1 Tim 3:2

Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; I Tim 3:3

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; I Tim 3:4

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 1 Tim 3:5 (Notice how the word “rule” is defined it the same verse as meaning “take care of the church” and has nothing to do with imposing authority over saints.

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 1 Tim 3:6

A Bishop’s Requirements (from above verses):

• Blameless

• Are Men (Husband) of one wife

• Have children

• Be Vigilant, sober, good behavior

• Be Hospitable

• Teach

• Be Patient

• Not a drunkard, striker, greedy, or brawler

• Rules his own house well

• Not to be newly converted, but a mature Christian

A Bishop’s Specific duties:

• Teach

• Be hospitable and behave well

• Rule church (means “take care of the church”

• Be a steward of God (see verse below Titus 1:7) Gen. 15:2

Proof that a bishop is an elder

Titus starts off speaking of ordaining elders in every city and uses the word “bishop” in place of elders in the same two verses. A comparison of the characteristics of elders and bishops is almost identical.

Titus 1:5-7

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; Titus 1:5-7

Notice how the word “elders” in the above verses is equated with bishop and proves that an bishop is a type of elder.

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Titus 1:8

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus 1:9

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: James 5:14

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.1 Pet. 5:1

Elder duties

• Take oversight of assembly (No one man or pastor oversight mentioned)

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof…1 Peter 5:1

Not to lord over Gods people

Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.1 Pet. 5:1

Don’t constrain people (force them by intimidation)

Don’t feed the flock and take money for it

Elders Rule and Labour in the Word of God

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1 tim 5:17

Exhort and convince

Holding fast the faithful word as he (elders) hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus 1:9

Feed the church

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, 1 Pet 5:1

Teach and Labour in the Word

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1 tim 5:17

Uphold right doctrine

“…that he (elder) may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” Titus 1:9

Be a steward of God

Pray over the sick and anoint them with oil

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: James 5:14

Hold fast the word of God

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught.. Titus 1:9

Be examples to the body

“…but being ensamples to the flock.” 1 Pet. 5:1

Elders and Overseers are Same

Whom did God himself appoint as the overseers of the church? Answer: Elders

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Acts 20:17

(Same audience talked to in above passage).

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.1 Pet. 5:1

Both Paul and Peter said the elders should take oversight of the church, feed the church, not to take money for feeding the church, and not to be lords over God’s people. No mention is ever made by Paul, Peter or any of the disciples of one man leading the church, much less the pastor. All of these admonitions were for a plural group of men to take oversight (elders, yourselves, overseers)

Deacons

(A Type of Elder)

Mentioned five times in scripture, not counting in the book of Acts indirectly (possibly?)

Phillipians 1:1 (bishops and deacons differentiated)

1 Timothy (offices differentiated)

Acts 6:1-5 (deacons?) These men were appointed by the apostles to help with the widows and physical needs of the church. If so, they attend to physical needs of the church

1 Timothy 3:8-13

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 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 Requirements:

• Be grave

• Be not doubletongued

• Be not given to much wine

• Be not greedy of filthy lucre

• Hold the mystery of the faith

• Be proved

• Be blameless

• Have faithful wives

• Husband of one wife

• Rules their children and house well

Elders, then, appear to be the general term for the rulers of the church. Specifically, the elders are the bishops and the deacons who have “offices”.

Elders Ordained 1st. NO mention of pastors in the sense we know it.

Why are pastors never ordained in scripture, but elders are?

And when they had ordained them elders (plural) in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Acts 14:23

Elders Called to Meeting at Jerusalem to Decide Question of Judaism in the Church (No Pastors called)

No pastors are consulted or asked for. The elders and apostles decide. Why is that? No one man had the power to decide an issue.

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. …And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.Acts 15:2,6

The apostles and elders made the decision about the circumcision issue (which was, by the way, the introduction of the law into the new covenant)

Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Acts 15:22,23

And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. Acts 21:18

Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 1 Tim 5:19

And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. Rev 4:4

Pastors (A kind of Elder, A Teacher)

Used once in the New Testament (Eph. 4 “pastors and teachers”)

Pastors feed the flock

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jer. 3:15

Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. Jer. 23:2

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Eph 4:11 (no mention of elders here, could be included in pastors since pastors and elders feed-See Acts 20:28 “Feed the church of God”)

The Rule Over the Body

“To Rule” means “take care of the church” according to 1 Tim 3:5

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; I Tim 3:4

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 1 Tim 3:5

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation. Heb 13:7

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Heb. 13:17

Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Heb 13:24

The Conclusion of the Whole Matter

• A Bishop is used interchangeably with the word “elder”

• Elders (Plural) are ordained by the apostles to oversee every church, not a pastor

• Bishops are specific kinds of elders, deacons also appear to be so because of their very similar requirements

• A single pastor does not have an office, does not have rule, does not oversee, is not ordained by apostles, does not have requirements set forth by the word, appears to only teach.