Absolutely! I must be crazy right? Haven’t I read the Bible? Well, yes I have and that is why I believe what I believe. Especially from the view point of having the Bible define my beliefs, rather than just taking what I believe and using the Bible just to defend it. There is a big difference between those two, but I will leave that to the diligent student.
So let’s take a look at why I believe what I have stated, and then the challenge is to search the scriptures to prove these things. Individuals, not organizations, need to be convinced of what is true or not, and then take responsibility for the truths. Yes, “the truth will set you free” and I believe can radically change the church to make it more Christlike.
Of ants and elders...
What do ants have to do with elders? Let's take a look...
Proverbs 6:6-8 "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."
Nothing, right? In the contemporary church, the elders are viewed as the leaders of the church. And the pastor is commonly the head elder, even though many might say he is just one of the elders. The elder who does the teaching is usually called the pastor/teacher. If one asks what the qualifications for an elder are, he would be referred to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. We are good so far. Elders are also called overseers. Do you see it?
The pastor/teacher elder would be like a guide, elders are called overseers, and elders are leaders or rulers.
Seems straight forward, but when I read the passage in Proverbs, I thought why the list? Is a guide the same thing as an overseer, is a guide the same thing as a ruler, is an overseer the same thing as a ruler or a guide? Well, maybe, but then again maybe not.
When I think of the three, I think the following...
Guide = knows the way
Overseer = makes sure everyone is moving along
Ruler = manages, protects
Who knows the way, pastors.
Pastors (Guide)
Ephesians 4:11 is the only NT reference with the term “pastor.”
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
It's significance is that God “gave some” they are not “ordained” or appointed. To be a pastor is a gift from God and it is not related to elder/bishop/overseer. Yes an elder could be a pastor, but a pastor does not need to be an elder or a bishop. And what do apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers do...
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Jeremiah is the other place in the bible that the term “pastor” is used. Interesting that even in Jeremiah God “give[s] pastors… .” In this passage it also provides the responsibility of the pastor.
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Also in Jeremiah, it seems as though pastors bear a huge responsibility in the eyes of God for the flock.
Jer 23:1-2 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. 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.
Pastors are given, and gifted, by God. Those who are called to be pastors need to exercise that gift properly. As with all spiritual gifts, others should recognize the giftedness and give heed. But that is a whole other topic...
Elders (Overseer)
Never called an office in scripture. If “elder” in the new testament refers to an office, then we might have a slight problem with…
1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
Of course, in this case we say it refers to older. But why, because it refers to younger in the same sentence? What would be the basis for changing from older to office in any of the cases where elder/elders appear?
Maybe Titus 1:5 comes to mind?
"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:..."
See "elder" it is an office. No, this means select from the elders available those that are qualified to be in the position that Paul is referring to, which in this case is the same as 1 Timothy or that of bishop.
It seems that the term elder refers to those that are older. Whether they are just physically older or are the spiritually older can be debated. In either case, those who are younger are to treat their elders as fathers and mothers. And the passages that describe an elder also contain responsibility...
Elders in Acts 20:17,28 are “overseers”
17 "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church."
28 "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."
1 Peter 5:1-5 “oversight” and age
"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. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."
Bishops (Ruler)
Ordained elders (elders that are appointed to an office, put in order) are bishops. Bishop is an office, specifically called that in I Tim 3:1 and implied by Acts 1:20 and Psalm 109:8.
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
Ac 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Ps 109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Ps 69:25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
Ps 109:10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.
And they are chosen by qualities that men can measure as outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. What is their purpose?
I Timothy 3:4-5 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?)
Taking care of, or ruling over, the church of God as he would his own family.
Summary
I believe a distinction can be made between pastors, elders, and bishops (ordained elders). How might that help the church in general? Older men and women who are spiritually mature are, and should be, respected as elders, but they might not qualify for the office of bishop. That is reserved for men that can rule and take care of the flock. Elders with certain specific qualifications are ordained as bishops. The head of a household does not necessarily have to be a bishop, but he or she is by default the elder for the family and responsible for the family. Pastors, on the other hand, can be young or older and are gifted/given by God for a specific purpose, but are not called specifically to oversee or to rule. They are to provide direction and guidance. Pastors can be men or women.
Perhaps another way to look at this is…
Elders deal directly with the flock of God to ensure growth (overseers). Elders become elders by the passing of time, which is given by the grace of God. Bishops keep the flock on track and protect the flock from outside influences (rulers). Bishops are elders that are ordained by men based on criteria given in the word of God. Pastors provide the knowledge and understanding for the elders to perform their function (guides). Pastors are given by God and recognized by the elders, and others, as spiritually gifted men.
Qualification for an elder is one who is physically and spiritually mature.
Qualification for a pastor is one who is called by God.
Qualification for the office of bishop…
Titus 1:5-9
5 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:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 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; (not money/riches unjust gain, bribery See Simon Acts 8:18-23)
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 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.
I Tim 3
3:1 ¶ This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
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?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
By the way. Deacon is an office also. And by the qualifications it seems as if it should be filled by elders also and not just by young men who show promise… I would even guess that Deacons could be Bishops…
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 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.
It seems as though the deacons are the ones who reach outside the flock to minister. Terms like pure conscience, blameless, and boldness are applied to deacons. Whereas elders tend to those in the flock.
So what's the point? Change the church? Yes, but not the organization that we call "the church," but the body of Christ. This is a call to father's and mother's and those who are elder to step up and become examples to those who are younger. They are "elders." And to those who are today called "elders" to serve in the office as bishop or deacon as described in the Bible by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion…
Pastors are gifted by God and may or may not be elders, bishops, deacons.
Elders are the more mature believers amd are responsible for oversight of those that are younger.
Bishop is an office, a bishop is an elder who is appointed by men to the office based on qualifications given in God’s word. They are to rule and manage the church.
Deacon is an office, a deacon may not be an elder, but interesting enough has nearly the same qualifications. They appear to reach outside the church.
Each position comes with great responsibility. Individuals need to grasp hold of what those responsibilities are and live accordingly by the grace of God. The end goal being to fear God, give glory to God, and worship Him...
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