The Organization of the Church New Testament

Not Found In The New Testament Hierarchy Organization chart Titles

Found In The New Testament One Head – Jesus Christ –Eph 1:22-23 –Eph 5:22-24 Organizational plan or pattern for the local church – a simple one in Phil 1:1 Roles or functions with various names as identifiers –Some names, like elder and deacon, are also used in non-church-organization ways –Translations will use different words for the same function –This leaves many confused

Deacon Elder Number Pope Bishop Cardinal Prophet Apostle Servant Member Shepherd Presbytery Preacher Monsignor Priest Saint Faithful High Priest Teacher Evangelist Minister Reverend Assembly Church Congregation Rector FlockOverseer Pastor Chief Priest We will start with a view of the confusion (This list is not exhaustive, and some terms may not be found in all translations of the Bible.)

1 st pass at clarification or improved understanding is to remove the terms that are not in the Bible. (Not in the Bible as these terms are used in today's terminology. Some words are versions of common words used in the bible.)

Deacon Elder Number Pope Bishop Cardinal Prophet Apostle Servant Member Shepherd Presbytery Preacher Monsignor Priest Saint Faithful High Priest Teacher Evangelist Minister Reverend Assembly Church Congregation Rector Flock ruler, leader Overseer Pastor French: mon seigneur, meaning "my lord" Chief Priest

2 nd pass at clarification or improved understanding is to remove the terms that are not used in reference to the New Testament Church, even if found in the New Testament.

Deacon Elder Number Bishop Prophet Apostle Servant Member Shepherd Presbytery Preacher Priest Saint Faithful High Priest Teacher Evangelist Minister Assembly Church Congregation FlockOverseer Pastor Chief Priest John 11:49 Hebrews 5:5-6 John 11:47

Of these that are left on our list, all are valid terms associated with the organization of the New Testament Church. However, not all are used in “religious circles” in a scriptural way. Some, like the following, are used for the wrong role –Priest –Pastor –Elder Others are used in a seemingly correct manner, but actually used incorrectly to establish a hierarchy (Bishop).

Phil 1:1 NKJV & KJV: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: ASV: to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: NIV: To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: YLT: to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with overseers and ministrants; NASU: Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

Three Roles Mentioned Saints – all members of the church Overseer or bishop – leadership or protector Deacon – specific servants for a local church We will look at each of these in order.

Deacon Elder Number Bishop Apostle Servant Member Shepherd PresbyteryPreacher Priest SaintFaithful Teacher Evangelist Minister Assembly Church Congregation Flock Priest Saint Prophet Overseer Pastor

Some of these are translated from the same Greek word but have been translated differently. Let’s look at examples from one translation - NASB. All are describing a group of people with a common bond – Acts 2:47

Deacon Elder Number Bishop Apostle Servant Member Shepherd PresbyteryPreacher Faithful Teacher Evangelist Minister Assembly Church Congregation Flock Priest Saint Col 1:2 Eph 3:10 Acts 4:32 1Cor 12:12-13 Heb 12:23 Acts 5:14 1Pet 5:2-3 Lead by Elders Eph 4: Peter 2:5 Rev 1:5-6 Overseer Pastor Prophet

This is all that is required to have an acceptable, functioning, scriptural church, But with the other two roles mentioned in Phil 1:1, God’s final plan for the church is complete and in order – Titus 1:5. Now for the second function mentioned in Phil 1:1, the leadership

Deacon Elder Number Bishop Apostle Servant Member Shepherd PresbyteryPreacher Faithful Teacher EvangelistMinister Assembly Church Congregation Flock Priest Saint Overseer Pastor Prophet

There are 3 different words used for the leadership, each with two typical translations The scriptures...

Prophet Deacon Elder Number Bishop Apostle Servant Member Shepherd Presbytery Preacher Faithful Teacher EvangelistMinister Assembly Church Congregation Flock PriestSaint Overseer Acts 20:28 Eph 4:11 Phil 1:1 Pastor Acts 20:17

Acts 20:28 relates overseer or bishop to shepherd or pastor Acts 20:17 refers to these same people as elders Acts 14:21-23 – each congregation to have their own elders 1Pet 5:1-3 - Elders have oversight over one congregation, the one of which they are among – Acts 20:28

Elders have qualification –I Tim 3:1-7 –Titus 1:6-9 –Role models & examples Primary function is to guard the flock from false teachers and maintain a sound church –Acts 20:28 –Titus 1:9-11

Deacon Number Bishop Apostle Servant Member Shepherd Presbytery Preacher Faithful Teacher EvangelistMinister Assembly Church Congregation Flock Priest Saint Overseer Prophet Elder Pastor Same word as Deacon Phil 1:1 1Tim 3:8,10 Same word as Deacon

The words used for Deacon and Minister are the same. Can be applied to the function of a Deacon. Can also be applied to the Christian. Heb 6:10 Duties of the Deacon are not listed, but examples are in Acts 6:1-5 of men called upon to serve the congregation Qualifications listed in 1 Tim 3:8-13

Deacon Number Bishop Apostle Servant Member Shepherd Presbytery Preacher Faithful Teacher Evangelist Minister Assembly Church Congregation Flock Priest Saint Overseer Prophet Elder Pastor

Eph 4:11-13 Identifies another group of people, although not necessarily a part of the organization of the church. Terms are consistent across translations These are the means to build up the church – 2 Tim 3:16

Prophets & Apostles ceased near the end of the 1 st century with the passing of the Apostles and the end of miracles Edification passed from the inspired individual to the inspired scriptures 1 Cor 13:8-10 Acts 8:4-6, 14-17

Deacon Number Bishop Apostle Servant Member Shepherd Presbytery Preacher Faithful Teacher Minister Assembly Church Congregation Flock Evangelist PriestSaint Overseer Prophet Elder Pastor Acts 15:35 Rom 10:14 To herald, proclaim Acts 21:8 Preacher of the gospel

Deacon Elder Number Bishop Servant Member Shepherd Presbytery Preacher Faithful Teacher Minister Assembly Church Congregation Flock Evangelist Priest Saint Overseer Pastor

With this we have the structure of the New Testament church. But we are not finished. Any sound structure needs a good foundation –Apostles & Prophets –Eph 2:20 The corner stone of the church is Jesus Christ. Eph 2:21 – a resulting building that is the Lord’s temple

Deacon Elder Number Bishop Servant Member Shepherd Presbytery Faithful Minister Assembly Church Congregation FlockPriest Saint Overseer Apostles & Prophets PreacherTeacherEvangelist Pastor Jesus Christ

Now our structure is complete, and is built with the plans God gave us in his inspired word. There is another plan or pattern equally important that He also gave us.

The pattern we see for an individual’s salvation includes the following: –Hear the word of God – Rom 10:17 –Believe the word of God and confess Jesus to be the Son of God – Romans 10:9-10 –Repent of your sins and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins – Acts 2:38 –Live a godly life – Titus 2:11

If the church you are a member of... Has 21 year old elders Has a hierarchy of leaders outside your congregation Has elders or bishops with oversight of several congregations Claims to have those performing miracles Or any number of things not aligned with the simple organization of Phil 1:1...it is time to reconsider the congregation you are associated with.