1. 1 Timothy 3:1-7

2. Acts 20:17-36 elders bishops pastors

3. Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops Acts 20:17-36 - Paul called for the elders from Ephesus [v. 17] - Paul said that the Holy Spirit had made them overseers (bishops) of the flock of God [v. 28] - Paul said that God had given them a task: to shepherd (pastor) the church of God [v. 28] Paul is clearly speaking to the same men he called from Ephesus: elders, bishops, and pastors are the same according to the Bible Each term describes a different aspect of their roles Todays Focus elders: Spiritual Maturity Last Time

4. Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops bishops is from Greek episkopos - primarily describes watching over, overseers: Acts 20:28-31 keeping watch against: Savage wolves coming in from outside [v. 28] Perverse things spoken by those inside [v. 29] Therefore WATCH Acts 20:31

5. Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops bishops is from Greek episkopos - primarily describes watching over, overseers: Acts 20:28-31; literally, exercising oversight (rule): Not forced, but desiring to protect Gods flock [v. 2] Not for financial gain, but in eager service [v. 2] 1 Peter 5:2-3 Not as lords, but as examples [v. 3; cp. Mk 10:42-45]

6. keep peace, order – in the city [Is 60:17; Ne 11:9]; – in the work [Ne 11:14, 22; etc.] Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops bishops is from Greek episkopos - primarily describes watching over, overseers: from the O. T. -- episkopos translates paqad - secondarily describes office of responsibility: appointed duty, oversight: Nm 4:16 [KJV – office] officers: Nm 31:14 (military); Is 60:17 (city officials) Officer roles protect the nation – military duty [Nm 31:12-17] overseers: Ne 11:9 (city); 14, 22 (work); 12:42 (director)

7. Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops bishops is from Greek episkopos - primarily describes watching over, overseers: from the O. T. -- episkopos translates paqad - secondarily describes office of responsibility: 6 times for elders: Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 3:1-2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2; Philippians 1:1 in N. T. episkopos used only in a Christian context: once for an apostle: Acts 1:20 [cp. Psalm 109:8] once for Christ Himself: 1 Peter 2:25

8. Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops bishops is from Greek episkopos - primarily describes watching over, overseers: - secondarily describes office of responsibility: - Vines N.T. Greek: …overseer…indicates the character of the work undertaken. [Ac 20:29-31] A Biblical Bishop: A spiritual officer appointed to protect and to organize Gods spiritual flock By the Holy Spirit Ac 20:28 By men Ac 14:23 Titus 1:5 However…

9. Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos - primarily describes watching over, overseers: - secondarily describes office of responsibility: - Vines N.T. Greek: …overseer…indicates the character of the work undertaken. [Ac 20:29-31] A Biblical Bishop: A spiritual officer appointed to protect and to organize Gods spiritual flock By the Holy Spirit Ac 20:28 By men Ac 14:23 Titus 1:5 However… A Biblical Bishop: The Holy Spirit determines the qualifications Men determine who (among the qualified) will serve over them in the local work [more on this question later] bishops

10. - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35 watchers over all the flock (over which the Holy Spirit had placed them [see 1 Tim 3]) in Ephesus warned: savage wolves, perverse men coming commended to God, the word of His grace [gospel!] charged with supporting (aiding) the weak Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos

11. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 trans.: aspires to the office of overseer [ESV]; sets his heart on being a bishop [GWT]; reaches out to overseership [Lit]; oversight doth long for [YLT] is a desired work, not a forced one [desire to SERVE] Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos

12. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] blameless: is example by 1 st correcting own errors husband of one wife: faithful to ones under his rule Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos see Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:3

13. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] blameless: is example by 1 st correcting own errors husband of one wife: faithful to ones under his rule Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos temperate, sober-minded, good behavior self-controlled; discreet, vigilant, modest (as to opinion or passion), orderly

14. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] blameless: is example by 1 st correcting own errors husband of one wife: faithful to ones under his rule Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos temperate, sober-minded, good behavior Dt. 10:17-19; Mt. 25:34-40 (fond of guests); servant hospitable: Grk philoxenos friend of foreigners

15. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] blameless: is example by 1 st correcting own errors husband of one wife: faithful to ones under his rule Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos temperate, sober-minded, good behavior hospitable: Grk philoxenos friend of foreigners able [skilled] to teach: not just speaking; not all can

16. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] not given to wine: literally not by or over wine Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos indicates a desire to be around that which comes with wine-drinking: carousing, revelries, etc. [cp. Proverb 23:29-35] what entertains him?

17. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] not given to wine: literally not by or over wine Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos must resolve issues with mind, not might; this would also include verbal striking [2 Tm 2:24] not violent: literally not a striker

18. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] not given to wine: literally not by or over wine Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos will be called to resolve disputes; cp. Ex. 23:8, etc. not violent: literally not a striker not greedy for money: literally shameful gain will be called to distribute funds; see Acts 11:29-30

19. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] not given to wine: literally not by or over wine Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos not only NO negatives, but building the positives not violent: literally not a striker not greedy for money: literally shameful gain BUT: gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous

20. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] one who rules his own house well: Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos literally stands before; a question of his rank and his order over his household, as evidenced by: (1) children in submission: obeying, trained in order (2) all reverence: his seriousness with his family

21. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] one who rules his own house well: Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos for…how will he take care of the church of God? this is the primary question in all of these musts to determine whether a man will be a good bishop, it is necessary to examine how he rules his home

22. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos not a novice…: literally newly planted no one puts an ensign to do an officers job! officers must be tested, experienced, proven there is a danger for PRIDE along with the POWER of a bishops rule: only experienced men eligible

23. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [must, not suggestions] Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos …good testimony among those…outside [cp. v. 2] unbelievers speaking evil of him doesnt bode well the savage wolves come from those outside his actions before unbelievers can bring reproach on himself and on the flock he tends!

24. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9 blameless as a steward of God: Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos manager or overseer of the house must be trusted his charge is not over his own goods, but Gods!

25. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9 blameless as a steward of God: Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos is a servant of the church of God, not of his desires not self-willed: literally, self-pleasing, arrogant

26. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9 blameless as a steward of God: Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos willing to listen, consider, analyze before speaking [cp. James 1:19-20] not self-willed: literally, self-pleasing, arrogant not quick-tempered: literally, soon angry

27. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9 blameless as a steward of God: Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos not self-willed: literally, self-pleasing, arrogant not quick-tempered: literally, soon angry a lover of what is good: literally, promoting good just, holy: upright in dealings; faithful to God

28. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9 Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos holding fast the faithful word: [cp. Ac 20:32] it is the word that has made him, will keep those who are entrusted to him, and make others, if: (1) kept as he has been taught – no changes to it (2) he exhorts and convicts with sound doctrine

29. bishops - Spiritual officers for protection and organization Christian bishops further defined by context: - Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9; 1 Pt 5:2 serving as overseers; diligently taking care after not by compulsion, but willingly; not as a burden Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors bishops is from Greek episkopos though the task might be difficult, it is to be done with an air of pleasure at the service to God! [cp. Hebrews 13:7, 17; cp. 2 Corinthians 9:7]

30. The Overseer of souls is Jesus Himself Matt 18:11-13 He is seeking for those sheep which are lost Matt 28:18-20 He has all authority; He is ruler of rulers He alone has the power to save us as ruler of Gods kingdom Would YOU submit to His rule today?