No discussion of the church would
be complete without consideration of God’s provision for its spiritual care and
oversight. We shall find that this work is performed by those known as bishops
or elders. At the outset, we will want to be clear on several points.
What Is a Bishop?
First of all, we must distinguish between the New Testament concept of a
bishop, and the title as it is used today. In the apostolic church, a bishop
was simply one of several mature Christians in a local church who cared for the
spiritual welfare of that church. Today, in church systems, a bishop is an
appointed dignitary who has many churches under his jurisdiction. Barnes says:
“The word bishop in the New Testament never means what is now commonly
understood by it—a Prelate. It does not denote here (i.e. in 1 Timothy 3) or
anywhere else in the New Testament, one who has charge over a diocese composed
of a certain district of country embracing a number of churches with their
clergy.’’
In the New Testament, the bishops were not a class of men, mediating
between God and man. Perhaps it was as a rebuke to such pretension as might
arise in the future that the Spirit of God listed the bishops second, not
first, when Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “To all the saints in Christ
Jesus . . . with the bishops and deacons”.
In the New Testament, the thought of officialism is absent. Instead of a
lofty office with magnificent titles, we are pointed to humble service among
the people of God. Thus we read, “If any one is eager for oversight, he is
desirous of a good work”.’ Overseership is work, not dignity of office.
Finally, we would notice, by way of introduction, that the words,
“bishop,” “elder,” “overseer” and “presbyter” all refer to the same person in
the New Testament. This can be demonstrated by the following comparisons of
Scripture with Scripture. In Acts 20:17, we find a reference made to the
“elders,” of the church. The margin of the Revised Version indicates that this
word is the same as “presbyters”. Then in Acts 20:28, these same “elders” or
“presbyters” are called “overseers”. Here the word “overseers” is translated
“bishops,” in the Revised Version. In Titus 1:5, Paul instructs Titus to ordain
“elders”; he then immediately (v. 7) proceeds to give the qualifications of a
“bishop,” indicating again that “elders” are the same as “bishops”.
How Bishops are Selected?
Now let us consider the question of how elders are selected or
appointed. In the final analysis, only the Holy Spirit can make a man an elder
(Acts 20:28). A church may meet in solemn session to appoint elders, but their
vote does not put within a man the heart of an overseer. The scriptural order
would seem to be that God makes men overseers, then as they carry on their
work, the church recognizes them as divinely-appointed bishops.
If it be argued that Paul and others appointed bishops (Acts 14:23;
Titus 1:5), we would simply say that this was before the New Testament was
available in written form in the churches. In the absence of written instructions
as to the qualifications of elders, the churches had to depend on these
apostles or apostolic delegates. It should also be noted that Paul never
ordained elders on his first visit to a church. Rather he allowed time for
those elders whom God had ordained to manifest themselves by their work. Then
he singled them out for recognition by the church.
The Qualifications of a Bishop
The Scriptures leave us in no doubt as to the qualifications of a true
bishop or elder. These are found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and in Titus 1:6-9.
First of all, the bishop must be blameless. As to his reputation, he
must be above reproach. It does not say he must be sinless, but blameless. If a
public accusation can be proved against a man, he should refrain from assuming
the duties of an overseer. Secondly, he must be the husband of one wife. Some
understand this to mean that he must be a married man. Others see in it a
prohibition against a polygamist ever becoming an elder. We can definitely say
that the latter is true, but it is hard to be dogmatic on the first. Next, he
must be vigilant. The Revised Version tells that this means temperate. He must
not be a man given to excess. Some persons find it hard to be moderate. They
are always going to extremes. Such men may be in the church, but they may not
be overseers. The elder must be sober, or sober-minded. He must evidence by his
life that Christianity is not a pleasant pastime, a frivolous trifle. The elder
grapples with eternal issues. He must be of good behavior, or a better rendering
would be “orderly”. Carelessness or slip-shod methods are unbecoming to one who
would serve in a house of order. Next, we read, “given to hospitality,” or “a
lover of hospitality”. His home should be open to the Lord’s people. It should
be like the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha in Bethany—a place where Jesus
loved to be. The bishop should be apt to teach. Although he might not be an
outstandingly gifted teacher, still he should be sufficiently proficient in
handling the Scriptures to be able to help the people of God with problems as
they arise.
He must not be addicted to wine, or as another translation renders it,
he must not be a brawler. The two are closely allied. Any man who cannot
control his own appetite surely is not worthy of a place of trust in the
church.
He must not be a striker. The literal meaning is that he must not use
violence on others. To strike a servant, for instance, would be inconsistent
with eldership. He must not be greedy of filthy lucre. The true bishop
understands that money is to be used for the Lord and for the advancement of
His interests. A grasping, greedy Christian is a paradox. He must be patient.
His Master was gentle, and the servant is not above his Master. Meekness and
patience may not be virtues in the secular world, but they still are in the
Kingdom of God. He must not be a brawler, or contentious. Some are ready to
fight and to argue over matters of little consequence. Not so a bishop. Then,
again, he must not be covetous. To covet is to want something which God never
intended one to have. Covetousness is idolatry, because it puts one’s will
above the will of God. The elder must rule his own house well, having his
children in subjection with all gravity—children who believe, and who are not
accused of riot or unruly. The necessity for this requirement is obvious. “For
if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the
church of God?” (1 Timothy 3:5). He must not be a novice. This is implied in
the name “elder”. Spiritual maturity is necessary. A man may be old in years,
and yet not be qualified for spiritual oversight because of lack of experience
as a Christian. The danger is that a novice becomes lifted up with pride, and
falls into the condemnation of the devil. He must have a good report of them
that are without. The world should know that he is a man of Christian character
and integrity. He must not be self-willed, not soon angry, a lover of that
which is good. He must be just and holy. Finally, he must hold fast the
faithful word; that is, he must be a defender of the faith.
To summarize the qualifications of an elder, we might say that he must
be able to control himself, he must be able to control his own home, and he
must be a contender for the truth of God. Now it should be noted that the Bible
does not say the bishop must be an ordained clergyman. It does not say he must
have a college degree. It does not say he must be a successful businessman. It
is not of importance whether he is prominent in the community. Nothing is said about
his personal appearance or the size of his bank balance. He might be a
hunch-backed, ungainly, poor, old street-sweeper, and still be an elder in the
church of God. Let us ponder this seriously. Doubtless one of the greatest
blights on the church today is the recognition of men as elders who do not have
the spiritual qualifications. Because a man has been successful in business, he
is catapulted into a place of leadership in the church, even though he may have
little or no spirituality. The result is an abundance of whatever money will
buy and an absence of spiritual power.
The Duties of a Bishop
What are the duties of elders? First of all they are to feed the flock
of God (1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28). They do this by ministering the Word of God.
It does not necessarily imply public ministry, but may be by visitation from
house to house.
Secondly, they are to do the work of overseers. “Taking the oversight
thereof,’’ Peter writes. What does this mean? The rest of the passage explains
what it does not mean, and what it does mean. It does not mean serving by
constraint. This must be a willing service. It does not mean working for
monetary gain. Not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. It does not mean
fording it over God’s heritage. The elder is not a dictator, not a taskmaster,
not a boss. But it does mean being an example to the flock. The elder must
remember that the Good Shepherd does not drive His sheep—He leads them. Every
under-shepherd should do the same. From the human standpoint, it would be much easier
to have centralized human authority in the church, so that orders could be
issued from headquarters, and obedience would be mandatory. But that is not
God’s way. The elders oversee the church by being examples to the flock.
In a very real way, the elders set the tone in a church. Where there are
elders who are godly men, who put the Lord first in their lives, who radiate
the grace of the Lord Jesus, one can expect to find a healthy, spiritual
church; on the other hand, where the elders are engrossed in the affairs of the
world, occupied with outside interests, too busy to read the Word or to pray,
one can expect to find a coldness and deadness among the flock.
Again, the elders are told to support the weak. “I have showed you all
things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak and to remember the
words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to
receive” (Acts 20:35). The context implies that they should be ready to help
those who are in need by giving to them. That is an interesting thing. Instead
of making a living off the flock, they should share their living with the
flock.
Finally, the elders should reprove, rebuke and exhort (2 Timothy 4:2;
Titus 1:13; 2:15). Whatever is contrary to the faith must be rebuked with all
authority. Those who will not endure sound doctrine should be reproved and
exhorted. The
elder must earnestly contend for the faith.
What attitude should the church take toward elders? It is clear from 1
Timothy 5:17, 18 that some elders are cared for in a financial way by the
church. “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,
especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture saith,
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, the labourer is
worthy of his reward”. It is equally clear that others worked for their own
support. Paul himself is an outstanding instance of this (1 Corinthians 4:12).
In addition, an elder is not to be rebuked, but entreated as a father (1
Timothy 5:1). Christians should not receive an accusation against an elder
except before two or three witnesses (1 Timothy 5:19). And then, the bishops
should be remembered, recognized and obeyed. “Esteem them very highly in love
for their work’s sake” (1 Thessalonians 5:13). “Remember them which have the
rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow,
considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and
today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:7, 8). Finally, we note the rewards of the
bishops. “When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of
glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:4).
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