What is a Bishop

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Q:  Is the office of a Bishop the same as a Pastor?

A:  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)

1. The Elder

   1.  His age (Genesis 10:21; 1Timothy 5:1-2)

   2. His wisdom (Job 32:4-7)

   3. His leadership

      1.  Old Testament (Numbers 11:14-17) "officers over them"

      2.  Gospels (Matthew 21:23)

      3. Jewish church (Acts 15:1-4)

      4. Gentile church (1Timothy 5:17)

   4. Their number in the church - multiple (Acts 14:23; 20:17-18; Titus1:5)

2.  The Bishop

   1. His office (1Timothy 3:1) bishop means overseer

   2. His duties

      1. To work (1Timothy 3:1)

      2. To teach (1Timothy 3:2)

      3. To rule (1Timothy 3:4-5)

      4. To pattern (1Timothy 3:7 with 1Peter 5:3)

      5. To administrate (Titus 1:7)

      6. To exhort (Titus 1:9)

      7. To convince (Titus 1:9)

3. Confusion Between Elder and Bishop

   1. Comparison of elder and bishop

      1.  Both rule in the church

         1. Elder (1Timothy 5:17; Acts 20:28)

         2. Bishop (1Timothy 3:4-5)

      2. Both can be multiplied in one church

         1. Elder (Acts 14:23)

         2. Bishop (Philippians 1:1)

      3. Both terms are used synonymously in Titus

         1. Elder (Titus 1:5)

         2. Bishop (Titus 1:7)

   2. Conclusions

      1. 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.

      2. The terms may be used as synonyms of the term, pastor, but are used to describe different aspects of the same office.

         1. Elder emphasizes the person

            1. His experience

            2. His wisdom

            3. His spirituality

         2. Bishop emphasizes the office

            1. His duties

            2. His rule

   3. Problem: Why do we, unlike the Plymouth Brethren, have a single ruling pastor?

      1. The scriptural principle: God always uses a man: Abraham, Moses, David, etc.  Multiple rule brings confusion.

      2. The example of James in the church of Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:17-18)

      3. The example of Timothy in the church of Ephesus (1Timothy 5:17-19; 2Timothy subscript)

      4. The emphasis on a singular bishop ruling the church and the example of the family (1Timothy 3:4-5)

4. Other Titles

   1. Overseer (Acts 20:28)

      1. Only New Testament reference

      2. To take the oversight (1Peter 5:2)

   2. Preacher

      1. His duty - to make the gospel heard (Romans 10:14-15)

      2. His office

         1. Ordained (1Timothy 2:7)

         2. Appointed (2Timothy 1:11)

   3. Pastor (Ephesians 4:11)

      1. Only New Testament reference

      2. Means shepherd (see also 1Peter 5:1-4)

   4. Minister

      1. Means one who attends to the needs of another

      2. References: Romans 15:16; Ephesians 3:7; 6:21; 1Timothy 4:6

   5. Evangelist

      1. Not completely synonymous with pastor (Ephesians 4:11)

      2. Timothy was to do the work of an evangelist (2Timothy 4:5)

      3. Philip was an evangelist (Acts 21:8)

      4. Referred to one who took the gospel message to the unreached and would include church-planters, missionaries, and public preachers.

   6. Teachers

      1. Bishops are to be apt to teach (1Timothy 3:2; 2Timothy 2:24)

      2. There is also the position of teacher (Ephesians 4:11; Acts 13:1)

       

Till He comes,

Pastor David Reagan