9 Bible Verses about Church Authority, Of Eldars

be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, do you love me more than these do? yes, Lord, said he, you know that I love you. Jesus reply'd, feed my lambs. then he ask'd him the second time, Simon son of Jonas do you love me? yes, Lord, said he; you know that I love you. Jesus reply'd, feed my sheep. Jesus said to him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, do you love me? Peter was grieved at his asking him the third time, "do you love me?" and he said to him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, feed my sheep.

It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers: thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ: till being united in a perfect belief, and acknowledgment of the son of God, we grow up to that full state of maturity required by Christ:

a bishop therefore ought to be of an unspotted character, to have but one wife, to be sober, prudent, grave, hospitable, and qualified for teaching:

Let the presbyters that govern well receive a double salary, especially those who are employ'd in preaching and instructing.

As for you, teach nothing but what is agreeable to sound doctrine: advise the aged to be prudent, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience: the aged women likewise, to behave with sanctity of manners, not false accusers, not given to tipling,read more.
but to lectures on virtue, that they may teach the young women prudence, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, good oeconimists, beneficent, submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. the young men likewise exhort to be modest. In all things show yourself a pattern of virtue: in teaching shewing uncorruptness, gravity; let your doctrine be sound and inoffensive, that your opponents may be ashamed, and have nothing that is ill to say of us. Exhort servants to be obedient to their masters, to be entirely obsequious without grumbling. not to pilfer, but to show the strictest fidelity; that they may do honour to the doctrine of God our saviour in all things.

to exhort you to feed the flock of God, which is among you: to take care of it, voluntarily, without reluctance, not from any view to sordid gain, but out of real affection;

on exhortation: he that giveth, let him be disinterested; he that presideth, let him be diligent; he that sheweth mercy, let him do it with cheerfulness.

We entreat you, brethren, to respect those, who labour in the ministry, who by divine appointment preside over you, and instruct you.