1 Peter 5:1-3 “1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as

well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,

not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over

those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:1-3

Ephesians 4:11-16, “11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints

for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge

of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be

children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful

schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from

whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working

properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:16

“11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers...

Let’s Plow This Row Again A Little Deeper!

1 Peter 5:1-3 “1 So I exhort the elders Presbute/r among you, as a fellow elder Presbute/r and a witness of the

sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 Shepherd (PASTOR) poimhn the flock of

God that is among you, exercising oversight e)piskopo$, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not

for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”

1. ELDER or PRESBYTER – Presbute/r = presbyter

2. SHEPHERD or PASTOR poimhn = poimen

1. ELDER or PRESBYTER – presbute/r = presbyter 2. SHEPHERD or PASTOR poimhn = poimen 3. OVERSEER or BISHOP - e)piskopos episkopos

All three words Greek works translated into English refer to the same person.

1. ELDER or PRESBYTER 1 Timothy 4:14 “14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the

council of elders (presbyters) laid their hands on you.”

Titus 1:5 “ 5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order,

and appoint elders (presbyters) in every town as I directed you--” Titus 1:5

2. SHEPHERD or PASTOR Acts 20:28 “28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you

overseers. Be shepherds or pastors of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

WHY DO WE NEED Shepherds?

Acts 20:29-30 “29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even

from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29-3

3.Overseer or Bishop

This word as a noun appears only 5…

1 Timothy 3:1-2 “1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer (or bishop), he desires a noble

task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be…”

“…desires a noble task…”

Titus 1:7 “7 For an overseer or bishop – episkopos, as God's steward, must be…”

Philippians 1:1 “1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the

overseers (or bishops) and deacons:” Philippians 1:1

Several things are clear from this text, one, God intends there to be a plurality…

A BIG problem that could have ripped the Church apart.

Acts 15:1-23 “1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are

circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small

dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the

apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both

Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When

they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they

declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, "It is

necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses." 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered

together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you

know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel

and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he

made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to

the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we

believe that we will be saved through he grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." 12 And all the assembly fell silent,

and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the

Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first

visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is

written, 16 "'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17

that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who

makes these things 18 known from of old.' 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles

who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from

what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who

proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues." 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the

whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called

Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: "The brothers, both the apostles and the

elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.” Acts 15:1-23

Peter… Paul & Barnabas… James spoke…

When UNITY RULES and evangelism is at the center of the Church’s purpose then you hear words like….

“22…it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church,…”

What happens when God’s people work and reach a peaceful conclusion together?

“16…the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working

properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:16

ELDER or PRESBYTER SHEPHERD or PASTOR OVERSEER or BISHOP