9 Bible Verses about Church Authority, Of Eldars

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the holy Spirit hath appointed you bishops, to feed the church of God, which He purchased with his own blood.

Now when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, dost thou love me more than these? He saith unto Him, Yes, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon son of Jonas, dost thou love me? He saith unto Him, Yes, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, dost thou love me? Peter was grieved, that He said to him the third time, Dost thou love me? And he said unto Him, Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest that I love Thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

And therefore He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; to qualify holy men for the work of the ministry, to the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all arrive in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, at perfect maturity, even to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, sober, prudent, grave,

Let the elders, who preside well, be counted worthy of double honor, especially those that labour in preaching and teaching.

But do thou speak the things which become sound doctrine: that aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in the faith, in love, in patience: the aged women likewise in behaviour as becometh saints, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of that which is good;read more.
that they may instruct the young women to be temperate, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be prudent, chaste, keepers at home, good, submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may not be evil spoken of. Exhort the young men in like manner to be temperate: in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works, with uncorruptness in teaching, gravity, sound doctrine that cannot be condemned; that he who opposeth it may be ashamed, having no evil to say of you. Exhort servants to submit to their masters, to be obsequious in all things, not answering frowardly, not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

taking the episcopal charge of it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for shameful lucre, but with a ready mind:

he that distributeth, let him do it with integrity: he that presideth, with diligence: he that sheweth mercy, with chearfulness.

And we entreat you, brethren, to respect those that labour among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and instruct you;