8 Bible Verses about Church Government

But, in these days, the disciples, multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, in that, their widows, were being overlooked in the daily ministry. And the Twelve, calling near the throng of the disciples, said - It doth not seem, right, that, we, forsaking the word of God, should be ministering unto tables. But look out for yourselves, brethren, seven men from among you, who can be well-attested, full of Spirit and wisdom, - whom we will appoint over this need;read more.
But, we, unto prayer and unto the ministry of the word, will give constant attention. And the word was pleasing in the sight of all the throng; and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicholaus, a proselyte of Antioch; Whom they set before the Apostles, and, praying, they laid upon them their hands.

Moreover, appointing unto them by vote, in each assembly, elders, praying with fastings, they commended them unto the Lord on whom they had believed.

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that, the things remaining undone, thou mightest completely set in order, and mightest establish, in every city, elders, as, I, with thee arranged: -

But, from Miletus, he sent unto Ephesus, and called for the elders of the assembly.

Elders, therefore, among you, I exhort - I who am their co-elder and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, who also, in the glory about to be revealed, have, a share; - Shepherd the beloved flock of God, which is among you, - not by compulsion, but by choice, nor yet for base gain, but of a ready mind, - Nor yet as lording it over the allotted portions, but becoming, ensamples, to the beloved flock;read more.
And, when the Chief Shepherd is manifested, ye shall bear away, the unfading crown of glory.

If anyone, for oversight, is eager, a noble work, doth he covet: - It is needful, then, for, the overseer, to be irreproachable, a husband, of one wife, sober, of sound mind, orderly, hospitable, apt in teaching, Not given to wine, not ready to wound, but considerate, averse to contention, not fond of money,read more.
Over his own house, presiding, well, having, children, in submission, with all dignity; Whereas, if anyone, over his own house, cannot, preside, how, of an assembly of God, shall he take care? Not a new convert, lest, being beclouded, into the sentence of the adversary, he fall; It is needful, moreover, to have, an honourable testimony also, from them who are without, lest, into reproach, he fall, and the snare of the adversary. Ministers, in the same way, - dignified, not double-tongued, not, to much wine, given, not greedy of base gain, Holding the sacred secret of the faith in a pure conscience; But let, these also, be proved first, then, let them be ministering, being, unaccusable: Wives, in the same way, - dignified, not given to intrigue, sober, faithful in all things. Let, ministers, be husbands of, one wife, over children, presiding, well, and over their own houses; For, they who have ministered well, a good degree for themselves, are acquiring, and great freedom of speech in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

If anyone is unaccusable, a husband of, one wife, having children that believe, who are not charged with riotous excess, nor insubordinate; For it is needful that the overseer be - unaccusable, as God's steward, not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not ready to wound, not seeking gain by base means, But hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, kind, possessing self-control,read more.
Holding fast, in the matter of his teaching, the faithful word, that he may be able both to encourage with his healthful instruction, and, the gainsayers, to refute.

But, from Miletus, he sent unto Ephesus, and called for the elders of the assembly. And, when they were come to him, he said unto them - Ye yourselves, well know, from the first day when I set foot in Asia, in what manner came to be with you all the time, doing service unto the Lord, with all humility and tears, and temptations which befell me through the plots of the Jews:read more.
in what manner I in nowise shrank from announcing unto you anything that was profitable and teaching you publicly and in your homes; bearing full witness, both to Jews and to Greeks, as to the repentance due unto God, and as to belief on our Lord Jesus. And, now, lo! I, bound in my spirit, am journeying unto Jerusalem; the things which therein shall befall me, not knowing, - save that, the Holy Spirit, from city to city, doth bear me full witness, saying that, bonds and tribulations, await me. But, for no cause whatever, am I making my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to bear full witness as to the good news of the favour of God. And, now, lo! I, know that, no more, shall ye see my face, - ye all, among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom. Wherefore I take you to witness, on this very day, that, pure am I from the blood of all; for I have not shrunk from announcing all the counsel of God unto you. Be taking heed unto yourselves, and unto all the little flock in which the Holy Spirit hath set, you, as overseers, - to be shepherding the assembly of God which he hath acquired through means of the blood of his own.