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Is the office of a Bishop the same as a Pastor?
The short answer is Yes. However, I am including some notes from one of the classes I teach to give you more information if you want it.
- WHO RUNS THE CHURCH? [NOTE: Much of our church government is based on tradition; not on scripture] (Acts 20:17-18 [17] And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
[18] And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
See All..., 28-30, 36-38) - The Elder
- His age (Genesis 10:21Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.
See All...; 1Timothy 5:1-2 [1] Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; [2] The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
See All...) - His wisdom (Job 32:4-7 [4] Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
[5] When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
[6] And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
[7] I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
See All...) - His leadership
- Old Testament (Numbers 11:14-17 [14] I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
[15] And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
[16] 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.
[17] 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.
See All...) "officers over them" - Gospels (Matthew 21:23And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
See All...) - Jewish church (Acts 15:1-4 [1] And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
[2] 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.
[3] And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
[4] And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
See All...) - Gentile church (1Timothy 5:17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
See All...) - Their number in the church - multiple (Acts 14:23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
See All...; 20:17-18
See All...; Titus1:5) - The Bishop
- His office (1Timothy 3:1This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
See All...) bishop means overseer - His duties
- To work (1Timothy 3:1This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
See All...) - To teach (1Timothy 3:2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
See All...) - To rule (1Timothy 3:4-5 [4] One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
[5] (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
See All...) - To pattern (1Timothy 3:7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
See All... with 1Peter 5:3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
See All...) - To administrate (Titus 1:7For 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;
See All...) - To exhort (Titus 1:9Holding 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.
See All...) - To convince (Titus 1:9Holding 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.
See All...) - Confusion Between Elder and Bishop
- Comparison of elder and bishop
- Both rule in the church
- Elder (1Timothy 5:17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
See All...; Acts 20:28Take 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.
See All...) - Bishop (1Timothy 3:4-5 [4] One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
[5] (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
See All...) - Both can be multiplied in one church
- Elder (Acts 14:23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
See All...) - Bishop (Philippians 1:1The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
See All...) - Both terms are used synonymously in Titus
- Elder (Titus 1:5For 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:
See All...) - Bishop (Titus 1:7For 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;
See All...) - Conclusions
- The term, elder, has a wider range than the term, bishop. Elder may refer to Old or New Testament offices. It may also refer to men of age, experience, and/or wisdom. Bishop refers to a specific New Testament office.
- The terms may be used as synonyms of the term, pastor, but are used to describe different aspects of the same office.
- Elder emphasizes the person
- His experience
- His wisdom
- His spirituality
- Bishop emphasizes the office
- His duties
- His rule
- Problem: Why do we, unlike the Plymouth Brethren, have a single ruling pastor?
- The scriptural principle: God always uses a man: Abraham, Moses, David, etc. Multiple rule brings confusion.
- The example of James in the church of Jerusalem (Acts 12:17But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
See All...; 15:13
See All...; 21:17-18
See All...) - The example of Timothy in the church of Ephesus (1Timothy 5:17-19 [17] Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
[18] For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
[19] Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
See All...; 2Timothy subscript) - The emphasis on a singular bishop ruling the church and the example of the family (1Timothy 3:4-5 [4] One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
[5] (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
See All...) - Other Titles
- Overseer (Acts 20:28Take 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.
See All...) - Only New Testament reference
- To take the oversight (1Peter 5:2Feed 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;
See All...) - Preacher
- His duty - to make the gospel heard (Romans 10:14-15 [14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
[15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
See All...) - His office
- Ordained (1Timothy 2:7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
See All...) - Appointed (2Timothy 1:11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
See All...) - Pastor (Ephesians 4:11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
See All...) - Only New Testament reference
- Means shepherd (see also 1Peter 5:1-4 [1] 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:
[2] 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;
[3] Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
[4] And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
See All...) - Minister
- Means one who attends to the needs of another
- References: Romans 15:16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
See All...; Ephesians 3:7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
See All...; 6:21
See All...; 1Timothy 4:6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
See All... - Evangelist
- Not completely synonymous with pastor (Ephesians 4:11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
See All...) - Timothy was to do the work of an evangelist (2Timothy 4:5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
See All...) - Philip was an evangelist (Acts 21:8And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
See All...) - Referred to one who took the gospel message to the unreached and would include church-planters, missionaries, and public preachers.
- Teachers
- Bishops are to be apt to teach (1Timothy 3:2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
See All...; 2Timothy 2:24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
See All...) - There is also the position of teacher (Ephesians 4:11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
See All...; Acts 13:1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
See All...)