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The Two Scriptural Offices in the New Testament Church : The Pastor

pastoranddeacons

There are two scriptural offices in the church, the Pastor (called Bishop) and the Deacon as you can read in I Tim 3: 1-13. The terms, Pastor, Bishop, and Elder are used interchangeably to emphasize tasks and experience, and refer to one office, and the deacon is another office.

Q.1
What are the two scriptural offices mentioned in I Tim 3: 1-13? *

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. (1Ti 3:1-10)

Q.2
Paul instructed Timothy to ordain elders, and he also called the elder as bishop while speaking about the qualification of a church leader. *

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: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 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; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
(Tit 1:5-8)

Q.3
A church leader is called an elder because this speaks of his spiritual maturity. *

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
(1Ti 5:17)

Q.4
Paul called the elders of the church and instructed them to take heed of themselves and of all their flock, over which the Holy Ghost has made them overseers. Bishop means... *

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 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, (Act 20:17-18)

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.
(Act 20:28)

Q.5
Peter who is an elder, instructed the elders to do the work of feeding (shepherding) the flock and to do the work of as an overseer (Bishop), not by lordship but leadership, because when the chief Shepherd shall appear, they will receive a crown of glory. *

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. (1Pe 5:1-5)

Q.6
Pastor means shepherd and Jesus is the chief shepherd. The work of the pastor is to feed the sheep. He is God's gift to the church. *

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jer 3:15

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
(Joh 21:16-17)

Q.7
Pastor, Elder, and Bishop refers to the same office. The title "pastor" emphasizes his work of shepherding the flock, "Elder" speaks of his spiritual maturity, and "bishop" speaks of his task as an overseer. *

Q.8
The Bible speaks of a bishop and deacons as _______ who lead their own family well and have submissive children. *

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
(1Ti 3:1-5)

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
(1Ti 3:12)

Q.9
Name: *


Q.10
Email Address: *

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