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, 28-30, 36-38)
- The Elder
- His age (Genesis 10:21; 1Timothy 5:1-2)
- His wisdom (Job 32:4-7)
- His leadership
- Old Testament (Numbers 11:14-17) "officers over them"
- Gospels (Matthew 21:23)
- Jewish church (Acts 15:1-4)
- Gentile church (1Timothy 5:17)
- Their number in the church - multiple (Acts 14:23; 20:17-18; Titus1:5)
- The Bishop
- His office (1Timothy 3:1) bishop means overseer
- His duties
- To work (1Timothy 3:1)
- To teach (1Timothy 3:2)
- To rule (1Timothy 3:4-5)
- To pattern (1Timothy 3:7 with 1Peter 5:3)
- To administrate (Titus 1:7)
- To exhort (Titus 1:9)
- To convince (Titus 1:9)
- Confusion Between Elder and Bishop
- Comparison of elder and bishop
- Both rule in the church
- Elder (1Timothy 5:17; Acts 20:28)
- Bishop (1Timothy 3:4-5)
- Both can be multiplied in one church
- Elder (Acts 14:23)
- Bishop (Philippians 1:1)
- Both terms are used synonymously in Titus
- Elder (Titus 1:5)
- Bishop (Titus 1:7)
- 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 12:17; 15:13; 21:17-18)
- The example of Timothy in the church of Ephesus (1Timothy 5:17-19; 2Timothy subscript)
- The emphasis on a singular bishop ruling the church and the example of the family (1Timothy 3:4-5)
- Other Titles
- Overseer (Acts 20:28)
- Only New Testament reference
- To take the oversight (1Peter 5:2)
- Preacher
- His duty - to make the gospel heard (Romans 10:14-15)
- His office
- Ordained (1Timothy 2:7)
- Appointed (2Timothy 1:11)
- Pastor (Ephesians 4:11)
- Only New Testament reference
- Means shepherd (see also 1Peter 5:1-4)
- Minister
- Means one who attends to the needs of another
- References: Romans 15:16; Ephesians 3:7; 6:21; 1Timothy 4:6
- Evangelist
- Not completely synonymous with pastor (Ephesians 4:11)
- Timothy was to do the work of an evangelist (2Timothy 4:5)
- Philip was an evangelist (Acts 21:8)
- 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 3:2; 2Timothy 2:24)
- There is also the position of teacher (Ephesians 4:11; Acts 13:1)
Reagan, David