Two officers of the church are specified in the Bible: pastors and
deacons. We call these the ordained officers. However, we have
trustees, financial secretaries, etc., who are not ordained.
A The office of pastor. The word pastor is a translation of the Greek word poimen
meaning shepherd.
1. Pastor, elder, and bishop are different names used in the Bible for the same
office-17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and caUed the elders [Greek
presbuteros meaning elder] of the church ..... 27 For I have not shunned to
declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves,
and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers
[Greek episkopos, meaning overseer or bishop], to feed the church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:17, 27-28); 1 The elders
[Greekpresbuteros meaning elder) which are amongyou I exhort, who am
also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of
the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed [Greekpoimaino meaningfeed, rule,
Pastor, shepherd] the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight
[Greek episkopeo, verb form of episkopos, meaning oversight or bishoprick]
thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock
(I Peter 5:1-3).
Ecclesiology-The Church: Officers and Ordinances
Topics:
Church, Ecclesiology
