| References: NIV and AV Bibles
Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Young's Analytical Concordance
NIV Study Bible notes
Main relevant Greek words:
Presbuteros occurs 67 times. AV (KJV) uses:
62 times as 'elder' (noun),
2 times as 'elder' (adjective),
1 each of: 'eldest', 'elder woman', 'old man'.
Episokopoi occurs 5 times. AV (KJV) uses:
4 times as 'bishop' (modern versions use 'overseer')
1 time as 'overseer'
- also Episokope - bishopric; the office of bishop
- also Episokopeo - look diligently; take the oversight.
Diakonos (Deacon, Minister, Slave/Servant)
Slave with respect to the Master
Servant with respect to the work
Poimen occurs 18 times. AV (KJV) uses:
17 time as shepherd (Shepherd)
1 time as pastor
Most references are in the gospels, referring to 'ordinary' shepherds, or
to the LORD Jesus in his role as shepherd. References to shepherds as
believers in this role are in Ephesians 4:11, 1 Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28.
Also:
Hiereus - Priest
Under the new covenant, only Jesus is the individual High Priest and
sacrifice, however, in 1 Peter 2:5,9 and Revelation 1:6, the whole body
of believers is collectively a nation of high priests, representing God
to the world (cf Exodus 19:6). ie - there is no special role or function
of priest within the church, to be fulfilled by a subset of the
fellowship. We are ALL priests. Only He is our Priest.
ONLY TWO ACTUAL OFFICES
=======================
Overseer = Elder, from
1 Timothy 3:1,2, Titus 1:7,5,
Acts 20:28, addressing the elders of Ephesus:'Keep watch over
yourselves, and over all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has
made you overseers.... Be shepherds....
1 Peter 5:2 : 'Be shepherds, serving as overseers'
It is apparent that 'elder' is the qualification, and 'overseer' or
'bishop' an eldership function. 'Shepherd' or 'pastor' is another. Thus
the overall position to be considered is elder (including bishop / overseer
and pastor / shepherd, as well as those listed, for instance, in
Ephesians 4:11).
This is consistent with the qualifications / requirements being listed
for two roles only; those of elders (including all the different
functions this covers), and deacons, both in 1 Timothy 3 and elders in
Titus 1.
\cont
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| Functions of the offices
========================
Function of Elders:
Used as a purely age-related term, as well as in the church role.
In the church leadership context, this refers to those with maturity
of experience, raised up and qualified by the Holy Spirit; appointed to
have spiritual care and exercise oversight over the church, with details
of their qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:2-7, Titus 1:6-9
Note from 1 Timothy 5:17, James 5:14, 1 Peter 5:1 :
The elders have responsibility for directing the church affairs, and
some of these have the particular task of preaching and teaching.
They differ in gifts, but general role is in ministry, covering the
spectrum of fellowship needs.
Note from 1 Timothy 5:19-20 :
Accusations against an elder should not be taken lightly - this is
serious, and should require a consensus of witnesses. If upheld, it
needs public correction, as an elder is established as a public
example. The most serious example is in Acts 1:20, where it says
about Judas 'May another take his place of leadership' (eldership).
Elders / Overseers / Pastors / Bishops
Direct the church spiritual matters, and provide personal ministry
and counselling.
Pastor or Shepherd
This is a key eldership role, worthy of special respect.
'fellow-elders' are exhorted to be 'shepherds of God's flock' in
1 Peter 5:1-2 and Acts 20:28.
Function of Deacons:
Deacons serve the church - ie perform activities in accordance with
the discernment of the eldership. Not a purely physical / material
position - their integrity and spiritual depth is critical to holding
office, as is that (to an even greater extent) of elder. Detailed in
1 Timothy 3:8-13. This must be a role distinct from that of elder,
because 1 Timothy 3 distinguishes between them in outlining their
requirements.
Note - plurality of elders and deacons per church seems to be assumed.
General equality, plus recognition of different gifts and functions.
(Ephesians 4:11 also refers to apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and
teachers, and their purpose)
FELLOWSHIP OFFICES Page 3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Methods of Church Government:
============================
Presbyterian - Rule is via elders court; decisions presented to the church
Congregational - rule by the membership - church meeting votes on actions
Neither of these is strictly what the Bible describes. The 'ideal' is
neither democracy nor human dictatorship, but the theocracy indicated in
Exodus 19:5, and referred to more personally in John 14:20, 16:13 and
Ephesians 5:17, where each Christian is directly accountable to the LORD,
hearing His voice personally.
This *can* be worked out by either Presbyterianism or Congregationalism,
but the point of the Presbyterian form of government (via elders) is to
commit those who are recognised as spiritually mature to listen to the
voice of the LORD on behalf of the church, and to direct the affairs of
the church as implied in 1 Timothy 5:17.
Appointment of Elders and Deacons
=================================
From Titus 1:5, Acts 14:23 :
Elders are recognised and appointed by those already serving as
leaders in the church.
In human terms this gives the appearence of a self-perpetuating clique,
as compared to the 'fairness' of the democratic vote. However, a basic
prerequisite of all those appointed to office is that they rely not on
human wisdom, but on divine wisdom and discernment. They are then set
apart with prayer and fasting, in recognition of the solemnity of the
responsibility.
Appointment of both deacons and elders is with prayer and fasting. In
Acts 6:3-4, appointment of 'deacons' is by the general assembly of
disciples. Commissioning of both elders and deacons is carried out with
laying on of hands. This may be accompanied by a prophetic word
pertinent to the ministry (Hebrews 6:2, 2 Timothy 1:6, 1 Timothy 4:14,
Acts 6:6). The difference between election of elders and deacons is
commensurate with the difference in responsibility between the roles
being undertaken.
Support of Eldership
====================
The principle of practical support of those in eldership is upheld in 1
Corinthians 9:14 and Timothy 5:18, while the acceptability of the use of
secular work to supplement the elder's income is indicated in Acts 18:3.
The only constraint on this is that the gospel itself should not be
offered for profit (2 Corinthians 2:17, 1 Corinthians 9:18).
Support by voluntary giving is supported by 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15.
From 1 Corinthians 9, the method of support of the evangelist is clearly
at his discretion, according to the constraints of the situation, and the
opportunity and generosity of such Christians (local or remote) as are
willing or burdened to associate themselves with the particular field.
Support by the congregation of their pastor(s) is a correct expression of
appreciation (1 Corinthians 9:11-12), but as Paul demonstrated, in
evangelism, other ways can be taken as needed.
This would seem to permit any combination of full- and part-time elders
as suited to the situation and calling of those concerned.
The Function of Deacons
=======================
The similarity of qualifications gives me the impression that the deacons
are those not yet mature or tested enough to govern as an elder, but
recognised as possessing gifts which they are willing to use in serice of
the fellowship. They may well be expected to mature into elders. The
idea that deacons' work is practical / material, while elders' is spiritual
springs from Acts 7:2-3. The 'seven', of Acts 6, are not explicitly
referred to as 'deacons' in the Bible, though they are popularly referred
to as such. Their qualifications are to be 'full of the Holy Spirit and
wisdom' (Acts 6:3). Although their initial appointment is to a
practical task, we find them later involved in eldership-type ministry
roles in Acts 6:8, 8:5-7,26-40, 21:8. The qualifications and progression
seem consistent with the 'deacon' position as previously described.
Men or Women as Deacons / Elders
================================
Both Elders and Deacons are to be the husband of not more than one wife,
aand to have authority over their families. These qualifications imply
that the role is open only to men (cf Ephesians 5:24, 1 Corinthians 11:3)
[ some readings could take 'wives' of 1 Timothy 3:11 to be 'deaconesses',
but this conflicts with the context ] . In that deacons and elders are
directed towards leadership ministry roles, this is also unsuitable for
women (1 Timothy 2:12).
However, Phoebe. in Romans 16:1 is refered to as a 'servant' or
'deaconess' of the church at Cenchrea. This can be taken to mean the
full role and appointment, either as a rule, or as a 'special' case, or
it may be recognising her particular personal dedication and
faithfulness. This last is the more doctrinally and administratively
consistent, while the first two conflict with the general spiritually
protected (vulnerable) position of women.
\cont
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