1 Timothy 3:1-7. Acts 20:17-36 elders bishops pastors.

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Acts 20:17-36

elders “bishops” “pastors”

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

Today’sFocus

“elders”:SpiritualMaturity

LastTime


“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


“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 God’s 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]

keep peace, order – in the city [Is 60:17; Ne 11:9]; – in the work [Ne 11:14, 22; etc.]


“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)


“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


“pastors”

bishops “bishops” is from Greek “episkopos”- primarily describes “watching over”, “overseers”:- secondarily describes “office” of responsibility:- Vine’s N.T. Greek: “…overseer…indicates the character of the work undertaken.” [Ac 20:29-31]

A Biblical Bishop:A spiritual officer appointed to protectand to organize God’s spiritual flock

By the Holy Spirit

Ac 20:28

By menAc 14:23Titus 1:5

However…


“pastors”

“bishops” is from Greek “episkopos”- primarily describes “watching over”, “overseers”:- secondarily describes “office” of responsibility:- Vine’s N.T. Greek: “…overseer…indicates the character of the work undertaken.” [Ac 20:29-31]

A Biblical Bishop:A spiritual officer appointed to protectand to organize God’s spiritual flock

By the Holy Spirit

Ac 20:28

By menAc 14:23Titus 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

bishops

- 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


“pastors”

“bishops” is from Greek “episkopos”

bishops


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]


“pastors”


bishops


by context:- Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”]• “blameless”: is example by 1st correcting own errors • “husband of one wife”: faithful to ones under his rule


“pastors”


see Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:3

bishops




“pastors”


• “temperate”, “sober-minded”, “good behavior” self-controlled; discreet, vigilant,

modest (as to opinion or passion), orderly

bishops




“pastors”


• “temperate”, “sober-minded”, “good behavior”

Dt. 10:17-19; Mt. 25:34-40 (“fond of guests”); servant

• “hospitable”: Grk philoxenos “friend of foreigners”

bishops




“pastors”


• “temperate”, “sober-minded”, “good behavior”• “hospitable”: Grk philoxenos “friend of foreigners”• “able [skilled] to teach”: not just speaking; not all can

bishops


by context:- Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”]• “not given to wine”: literally not “by” or “over” wine


“pastors”


indicates a desire to be around that which comes with wine-drinking: carousing, revelries, etc. [cp. Proverb 23:29-35] what entertains him?

bishops




“pastors”


must resolve issues with mind, not might; this would also include verbal “striking” [2 Tm 2:24]

• “not violent”: literally not “a striker”

bishops




“pastors”


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

bishops




“pastors”


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”

bishops


by context:- Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”]• “one who rules his own house well”:


“pastors”


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

bishops


by context:- Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”]• “one who rules his own house well”:


“pastors”


• “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

bishops


by context:- Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”]


“pastors”


• “not a novice…”: literally “newly planted” no one puts an ensign to do an

officer’s job! officers must be tested, experienced, proven there is a danger for PRIDE along with the POWER of a bishop’s “rule”: only experienced men eligible

bishops


by context:- Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7 [“must”, not “suggestions”]


“pastors”


• “…good testimony among those…outside” [cp. v. 2] unbelievers speaking evil of him

doesn’t bode well the “savage wolves” come from those outside his actions before unbelievers can bring reproach on himself and on the flock he tends!

bishops


by context:- Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9 • “blameless as a steward of God”:


“pastors”


manager or overseer of the house must be trusted his charge is not over his own goods, but God’s!

bishops




“pastors”


is a servant of the church of God, not of his desires

• “not self-willed”: literally, “self-pleasing”, arrogant

bishops




“pastors”


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”

bishops




“pastors”


• “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

bishops


by context:- Ac 20:28-35; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tt 1:7-9


“pastors”


• “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

bishops


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


“pastors”


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]

The “Overseer” of souls is Jesus Himself

Matt 18:11-13He is seeking for

those sheep which are lost

Matt 28:18-20He has “all authority”;

He is ruler of rulersHe alone has the

power to save us as ruler

of God’s kingdomWould YOU submit to His rule

today?

1 Timothy 3:1-7. Acts 20:17-36 elders bishops pastors.

Documents

Transcript of 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Acts 20:17-36 elders bishops pastors.