Bishops, shepherds, pastors, presbyter, overseer in the church body

 

1. There are 5 descriptions of elders in the church according to scripture.

 

2. There may be multiple pastors in the churches (body of Christ, connected to the head who is Christ)

 

1 Timothy 3:1 – An elder is an honorable role in the body of Christ. An overseer (elder) is not a position of authority, but to care and guide in the Church.

Elders can be called by God with His vision, the vision of Christ and His body, full of the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts 20:28 – Holy Spirit makes overseers or elders to be shepherds of the Church, bought with His blood.

 

Titus 1:5 – as overseers, we appoint elders and put in order truth and His structure led by the Spirit and the Word of God.

 

Hebrews 13:17 – submission to elders is a noble task, because they must give an account to God for their work for the Kingdom, this is why fear of God should be seen in their life.

 

1 Timothy 5:17 – Elders or Pastors direct the affairs of the church and deserve honor, especially those who work as preachers and teachers.

 

1 Peter 5:5 – Those who are young in the faith, not by age but in faith, should submit in love to elders or pastors as they model Christ.

 

1 Timothy 3:2 – An overseer is to be model citizens of the Kingdom of God. One wife, temperate, having self control and able to teach.

 

1 Timothy 3:7 – Be of good reputation, not falling into temptations that are from the devil. Character should reflect Christ.

 

1 Peter 5:2-3 – Shepherds of Gods people, those who are born again, is the job of a pastor or overseer. This job is not to be for pay or to be done as a must or duty but because you are willing to increase the Kingdom of God and help those in the flock.

 

1 Timothy 3:6 – Must not be a new convert, because of their weaknesses.

 

1 Timothy 3:4-5 – He must manage his family well.

 

1 Timothy 5:19-20 – Accusations (sins) against elders are brought up by 2 or 3 witnesses. This keeps the flock as a whole in check and under the Lordship of Christ. (Watch out for the hyper grace movement)

 

1 Timothy 5:21 – Shepherds show no partiality or favoritism.

 

1 Timothy 3:8-9 – Elders do every thing with a clean conscience.

 

Acts 6:1-4 – Overseer aids (deacons) are also to be full of Holy Spirit and wisdom. Deacons are aids to the elders

 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 – Elders seek peace in the body.

 

1 Timothy 5:1-2 – Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

Gives us an example of the respectful conduct among the flock.

 

1 Peter 5:6 – All of us as believers but especially elders should humble ourselves under God. He gives the increase.

 

Hebrews 13:7 – A servant is not greater than his Master, imitate your elders as they imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

 

There may be many elders in a fellowship, but all with the same foundation and vision. Hebrews 6:1-2 lays out the foundations, which you can find here.

 

The structure of the church can be found in Ephesians 4:11-16 (5 fold) found here.