Reference: Church Government
Hastings
1. The general development seems fairly clear, though its later stages fall beyond NT times. The Apostles were founders of churches, and therefore regulated and supervised the first arrangements; then were added sundry local and unlocal rulers; then the unlocal died out, and the local settled down into the three permanent classes of bishops, elders, and deacons. The chief disputed questions concern the origin of the local ministry, its relation to the other, and the time and manner in which it settled down under the government of (monarchical) bishops.
2. Twice over St. Paul gives something like a list of the chief persons of the Church. In 1Co 12:28 he counts up
See Verses Found in Dictionary
having begun from the immersion of John to the day that he was taken up from us, for one of these to become a witness with us of his resurrection.
But Peter having stood up with the eleven, raised his voice and spoke out to them, saying, Jewish men, and all who dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and listen to my sayings.
And after rising the young men wrapped him, and having carried him out they buried him.
And the twelve, having summoned the multitude of the disciples, they said, It is not right for us, having left the word of God behind, to serve tables.
which also they did, having sent it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
But after motioning to them with the hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord brought him out of the prison. And he said, Report these things to James, and to the brothers. And having departed, he went to a different pl
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) opposed them, seeking to deviate the proconsul from the faith.
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard, having torn their garments, they rushed into the crowd, crying out
And having appointed elders for them in every congregation, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
And God, who knows the heart, testified to them, having given them the Holy Spirit, just as also to us.
Then it was decided by the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to send men chosen from them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,
And from Miletus having sent to Ephesus, he summoned the elders of the congregation.
Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit placed you guardians, to tend the church of the Lord and God, which he purchased by his own blood.
And on the morrow, after going forth, those around Paul came to Caesarea. And having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, being of the seven, we dwelt with him. Now four virgin daughters who prophesied were with this man.
And on the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
or he who exhorts, in the exhortation; he who gives, in simplicity; he who leads, in diligence; he who does mercy, in cheerfulness.
Now I commend to you our sister Phoebe who is a helper of the congregation at Cenchreae,
Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners who are notable men among the apostles, who also became in Christ before me.
I speak shame about you. So there is not among you not even one wise man who will be able to arbitrate between his brother?
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is one and the same thing as the woman who has been shaven.
Or does not nature itself teach you that if a man actually wears long hair it is a disgrace to him?
And in the church God has placed men who are first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.
And in the church God has placed men who are first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.
Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead),
But I did not see another of the apostles except James the Lord's brother.
(for he who was working in Peter for the apostleship for men of circumcision was also working in me for the Gentiles),
Which was built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner,
which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets.
And indeed he gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the shepherds and teachers
And indeed he gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the shepherds and teachers
Paul and Timothy, bondmen of Jesus Christ, to all the sanctified in Jesus Christ who are at Philippi, with the guardians and helpers:
And we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who labor among you, and who lead you in Lord, and who admonish you,
The wives likewise, be honorable, not slanderous, without wine, faithful in all things.
Do not rebuke an elder man, but entreat him as a father, younger men as brothers,
Let the elders who rule well be regarded worthy of double compensation, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
Let the elders who rule well be regarded worthy of double compensation, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
I left thee behind in Crete on account of this: That thou should set in order the things lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded thee,
For the overseer must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-willed, not prone to angry, not a drunkard, not a fighter, not greedy of base gain,
Remember those who lead you, men who spoke the word of God to you, of whom, carefully observing the outcome of their conduct, imitate the faith--
Have confidence in those who lead you, and yield yourselves, for they watch for your souls as men who will render account, so that they may do this with joy, and not groaning, for this is unprofitable for you.
But above all things, my brothers, swear not. Neither by the heaven, nor the earth, nor any other oath, but let your yes be yes, and the no, no, so that ye may not fall into hypocrisy.
Is any man weak among you? Let him summon the elders of the congregation, and let them pray near him, having anointed him with olive oil in the name of the Lord.
I, a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a partaker of the glory going be revealed, exhort the elders among you:
Nevertheless, I have against thee that thou tolerate thy woman Jezebel. She calls herself a prophetess, and teaches and leads astray my bondmen to fornicate, and to eat idol sacrifices.
And the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.