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
from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us, must one be made a witness with us of his resurrection.
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said to them, Men of Judea, and all that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and hearken to my words.
And the young men arose, and wrapt him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, It doth not seem to us proper, that we should leave the word of God, and provide for tables.
which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
But beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, he related how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go and tell these things to James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place.
But Elymas the magian (for so is his name interpreted) withstood them, seeking so turn away the proconsul from the faith.
But the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, when they heard of it, rent their garments, and rushed forth to the multitude, crying out
And having appointed for them elders in every church, they prayed with fasting, and commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed.
And God, who knoweth the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, as he gave it to us;
Then it was decided by the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among themselves, and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the church of the Lord, which he purchased with his own blood.
And on the morrow we departed, and came to Caesarea; and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. And this man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied.
And the day following Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.
or he that exhorteth, to exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that presideth over others, with diligence; he that doeth deeds of mercy, with cheerfulness.
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae;
Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not one that will be able to judge between his brethren?
Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head; for it is one and the same thing as if her head were shaved.
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is a shame to him,
God appointed some in the church to be, in the first place, apostles, in the second place, prophets, in the third place, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, those of helping and of governing, divers kinds of tongues. Are all apostles?
God appointed some in the church to be, in the first place, apostles, in the second place, prophets, in the third place, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, those of helping and of governing, divers kinds of tongues. Are all apostles?
Paul, an apostle, not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead,
but no other of the apostles did I see, save James the brother of the Lord.
(for he who wrought for Peter in behalf of the apostleship to the circumcised, wrought also for me in behalf of the gentiles,)
and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, together with the bishops and deacons:
And we beseech you, brethren, to know those who labor among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you,
The women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Do not sharply rebuke an aged man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men, as brethren;
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor; especially they who labor in the word and in teaching.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor; especially they who labor in the word and in teaching.
For this cause I left thee behind in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed thee;
For a bishop must be without reproach, as Gods steward; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of base gain,
Remember your leaders, who spoke to you the word of God; and considering well the end of their manner of life, imitate their faith.
Obey your leaders, and submit yourselves to them; for they keep watch in behalf of your souls, as those who must give an account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief; for this is not for your advantage.
But above all things, my brethren, swear not; neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that ye fall not under condemnation.
Is any sick among you? let him call to him the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellowelder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed;
But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest thy wife Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess, and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundationstones, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.