Subject: Elders not a pastor should lead church |
Bible Note: Tim, Initially , I asked the question about the structure of the church because I was searching for an answer. I knew that this bible study forum would offer their expert insight and challenge me to study. Thank you so much for your patience with me. I just strive to be on the same page with my Father and Savior. (I pray the baby you went to visit, and the mom are healthy and happy). If you will read BradK posts...I like the concept he presents that a pastor/teacher is an iterant office just like the evangelist, prophet, and apostle. I never said deacon was synonymous with overseer. You said, "in Titus 1, overseer and elder seem to be listed as two separate offices." To further make my point about the words elder, overseer, bishop being synonyms...The KJV of the Bible uses bishop in Titus 1:7, the Amplified Bible uses bishop, the NAS version uses overseer, the NIV uses overseer, the Message Bible calls them church leaders. I have different versions of the Bible, but I use KJV most of the time. If Paul called for the elders of the church in Acts 20:17 to talk with them, and he is talking with them from verse 17-35, why do you think when he calls them overseers in verse 28 that he is talking to another group of people? You think that is a weak argument for saying elder is the same as overseer? The number of times we see words used in the Bible sometimes depends on what Concordance and what version of the Bible you are using. You said how pastors are selected is not given in the Bible...Eph 4:11,12 says He (Jesus) gave some...pastors for the perfecting of the saints. I believe that a pastor has to have a clear call from Jesus by the Holy Spirit to that ministry. How were you selected? You said the Bible does not say how many should oversee a church...no it doesn't. But to reiterate, it sure does make it clear that more than one person should be at the top. You said there are no commands to how many leaders and what kind of structure a church must have. Again, Paul says if you are spiritual, acknowledge that the things he writes to us are the commandments of God. 1Cor 14:37 Paul tells the Corinthians to let everything be done decently and in order. Our problem is that we are led by the flesh most of the time...not the Spirit. I believe, especially in America, many of us just do our own thing. The Holy Spirit is on a backburner. Is the present day church like the Laodicean Church? We think we're rich, have no need of anything...but we are actually poor, naked, wretched, left our first love. We need a revolution...then the revival can happen. May our Father bless you and the church where you gather with all spiritual blessings. Bereaniam |