Spiritual Leaders in the Local Church - Chapter 2
The Identity of Spiritual Rulers In The Local Church
or
Who is to have this rule and authority?
by Fred G. Zaspel
Published by Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, PA
copyright © 1987; revised, 1998. All rights reserved
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Chapter 2
The Identity of Spiritual Rulers In The Local Church
or
Who is to have this rule and authority?
We have seen that there are to be those in the local church who are in a position of spiritual authority, ruling and guiding the church. The next step is to identify these rulers. Who in the local church is given this authority?
Their Titles
Elders
The most common designation is the term "elder." The Greek word is presbuteros, whence comes the words "presbyter" and "Presbyterian." A "presbyter" is an elder. Spoken of in the plural ("elders") they are "the presbytery" (I Timothy 4:14). The word means, obviously, "an older man" but was used as a title for the leaders of the synagogue, whose duty it was to rule and teach. The early church evidently borrowed the title to describe those in the local churches who were likewise to rule and teach. In I Timothy 5:17 the elders are the "rulers" who by virtue of their position and work deserve double honor. That apostles had absolute authority in matters of faith and practice is clear, but in I Peter 5:1 the apostle Peter calls himself "also an elder" which seems to indicate that the apostles were elders when they remained in one locality (see also II John 1 where John says the same of himself). This verse further shows that the authority of the apostleship, in measure, was passed on to the elders. At any rate, the point is evident that elders have authority in the local church; they are the rulers.
Bishops
Another designation of the New Testament church rulers is "bishop" (I Timothy 3:1; Philippians 1:1). The Greek word is episkopos, hence the English "episcopal." The word means "overseer" (Acts 20:28), "guardian," or "manager." A bishop was a foreman, one in charge, a manager. When the Consul (president, emperor) of Rome placed a ruler in a newly captured land, that ruler was often referred to as an episkopos. Again the point is simply that the Biblical terminology itself indicates that there are in the local church certain men given special authority. These men are "bishops," those who "oversee" or "manage" the church's affairs.
Pastors
The term "pastor" is the most common word in our vocabulary today, but it is (perhaps surprisingly) the least common designation in the New Testament. The New Testament writers only once identify the local church leaders as "pastors" and that as it is associated with the additional title, "teachers" (Ephesians 4:11, "pastors-teachers"). The Greek term poimen means "shepherd," one who guides the sheep. The verb form (poimaino) is used only twice, describing the duties and responsibilities of the leaders they are to "shepherd" the church (Acts 20:28 and I Peter 5:2, KJV, "feed"). In Hebrews 13:20 and I Peter 2:25 Christ is called our "Shepherd," and in Revelation 2:27 it is prophesied that Christ will "shepherd [KJV, "rule"] with a rod of iron" (see also Revelation 12:5 and 19:15). In I Peter 5:4 Jesus is "the chief Shepherd" indicating that the "elders" (verse 1) are the under-shepherds who rule under Him with a delegated authority. Clearly, then, "pastors" rule; they rule in the church under Christ. They shepherd (are not shepherded by) the sheep.
Those whom the New Testament writers describe as having spiritual authority in the local church are designated elders, bishops, and pastors. These are the men who possess authority to rule.
Their Identification
A quick glance at the passages in which these titles are found will reveal that these titles are used interchangeably to refer to the same office and the same persons.
*In Acts 20:28 the "elders" (presbuteroi, verse 17) are said to be God-appointed "bishops" (episkopoi, "overseers") and are commanded to "shepherd" (poimaino, "feed" [KJV] or "rule") the church. Notice: elders are bishops who pastor. That is to say, an elder is a bishop is a pastor.
*The qualifications for "bishops" in I Timothy 3 are virtually identical to the qualifications for "elders" in Titus 1:6-9; it is obvious that Paul had the same office in mind in both passages.
*In Titus 1:5-7 "elder" and "bishop" are synonymous also.
*Finally, in I Peter 5:1-4 the "elders" are commanded to "pastor" (poimaino; KJV, "feed") and "oversee" (episkopeo) the church.
So the three terms refer to the same persons. A bishop is an elder is a pastor. There is no distinction between them. It is just as Scripturally accurate to address your pastor as "bishop" or "elder."(!) This book will normally use the term "elder," but it must be kept in mind that whichever term is used, the reference is to the same office. A pastor is a bishop is an elder.
(Incidentally, in keeping with the common understanding of the words, the term "office" is used here to refer to these leadership positions, but it should be recognized that the New Testament never refers to these as "offices" but as "services.")
Their Descriptions
While the terms consistently refer to the same office, Bible students have often pointed out that each term emphasizes a different aspect of the man and his work. The term "elder" emphasizes the man's character, what he is mature. "Bishop" emphasizes the man's function as ruler, overseer, manager. It stresses what he does. And "pastor" emphasizes the man's work of caring, guarding, protecting, feeding, and leading. It stresses how he leads and rules and his attitude in doing it. All three terms refer to the same office but merely emphasize a different aspect of it.
An Observation
Note that elders are pastors, and elders are rulers. There is a common misunderstanding, today, that eldership is a sort of third office in which elders are a board of men with more authority than deacons but less than pastors. Elders are often viewed as representatives from the congregation, elected for a specific term and for the purpose of representing the interests of the church to the pastor and counseling him on matters of concern to the church. In many other churches the elders are a board of ruling men set over the pastor. These ideas, however, reflect a misunderstanding of the New Testament elder. Pastors are elders. Elders are pastors. As we shall later see, elders have various functions and there are differences in honor as well, but all elders are pastors, nonetheless, and they must never be considered as anything less. Furthermore, none should be considered for eldership who is not a qualified elder-bishop-pastor.
Conclusion
The New Testament teaches that authority in the local church lies in the hands of the elders-bishops-pastors. To these men both Christ and His apostles have delegated authority, and obedience to them is required by those whom they lead. Elders (bishops, pastors) are to rule as Christ's under-shepherds.
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