8 Bible Verses about Church Government

And in those days, the disciples multiplying, there was a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily service. And the twelve having called the multitude of the disciples, said, It is not pleasing for us, having left the word of God, to serve tables. Therefore, survey, brethren, seven men of you, being witnesses full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom ye shall set over this need.read more.
And we will persevere in prayer, and the service of the word. And the word pleased before all the multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the sent: and having prayed, they put hands upon them.

And having chosen them elders in the church, having prayed with fasting, they set them before the Lord, in whom they had believed.

For this I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldest rectify things left behind, and set elders in the city, as I directed thee:

And having sent from Miletus to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the church.

The elders among you I beseech, a fellow elder, and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a participator of the glory which is about to be revealed: Tend the flock of God which among you, inspecting, not by force, but voluntarily; neither occupied in sordid gain, but of a ready will; Neither as ruling over the portions obtained by lot, but being types of the flock.read more.
And the chief Shepherd having been manifested, ye shall be attired with an unfading crown of glory.

Faithful the word, If any strive for superintendence, he eagerly desires a good work. Therefore an overseer must be irreprehensible, husband of one wife, sober, of sound mind, well arranged, hospitable, giving instruction; Not intoxicated, not a quarrelsome person, not occupied in sordid gain; but equitable, without fighting, exempt from avarice;read more.
Presiding well over his own house, having the children in subjection with all gravity; (And if any know not to preside over his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not newly planted, lest rendered proud he fall into condemnation of the accuser. And he must also have good testimony from them without;lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the accuser. Deacons likewise grave, not speaking equivocally, not holding to much wine, not occupied in sordid gain; Having the mystery of faith in pure consciousness. And let these also first be tried; then let them perform the office of footman, being blameless. Wives also grave, not accusers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, presiding well over the children and their own houses. For they having served well, acquire to themselves a good step, and much freedom of speech in the faith which in Christ Jesus.

If any be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not in accusation of licentiousness, or disorderly. For a bishop must be irreproachable, as steward of God; not self-sufficient, not prone to anger, not intemperate, not a striker, not occupied in sordid gain. But hospitable, a lover of good, of sound mind, just, holy, holding firm;read more.
Holding firmly the faithful word according to instruction, that he may be able also to beseech in sound doctrine, and to refute those opposing.

And having sent from Miletus to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them, Ye know, from the first day in which I embarked for Asia, how I was with you all the time Serving the Lord with all humility, and many tears, and temptations, having happened to me by the insidious plots of the Jews:read more.
how I concealed nothing of things profitable, not to announce to you, and teach you publicly, and in the houses, Testifying to both Jews, and Greeks, repentance towards God, and the faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I, bound in the spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things going to happen to me in it; But that the Holy Spirit testifies in the city, saying that bonds and pressures await me. But the word of none do I make mine own, neither have I my soul highly prized to myself, in order to finish my course with joy, and the service which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the good news of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that all ye shall see my face no more, among whom I passed through, proclaiming the kingdom of God. Wherefore I testify to you in this day, that I pure from the blood of all. For I concealed not to announce to you all the counsel of God. Attend therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit set you inspectors, to feed the church of God, which he acquired by his own blood.