8 Bible Verses about Church Government

At that time, as the number of the disciples was multiplied, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the distribution that was made daily. the twelve therefore assembled all the disciples, and said, it is not fit that we should leave the word of God, to mind what relates to your meals. wherefore, brethren, chuse out of your number seven persons of good reputation, full of the holy spirit and wisdom, who may have the management of this affair:read more.
whilst we shall continue our applications to prayer, and to preaching. this proposition pleased the whole assembly: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the holy spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch. these they presented to the apostles: who after prayer gave them imposition of hands.

and after they had by prayers and fastings establish'd Pastors for them in every church, they recommended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

I left you in Crete, to regulate what was amiss, and to ordain pastors in every city, as I had appointed you,

At Miletus he sent a message to the pastors of the church at Ephesus, to come to him:

I address myself to you pastors, as being a pastor myself, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to partake of the glory, that shall hereafter be made manifest; 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; not to domineer over the laity, but to be examples for their imitation;read more.
that when the sovereign pastor shall appear, you may carry off a glorious crown, that will never fade.

He that aspires to be a bishop, desires an office that is honourable. 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: not given to wine or violence, but of a gentle temper, averse to contention and avarice: a master of economy,read more.
obliging his children to behave with decorum. for if a man is incapable of governing his own family, how can he take care of the church of God? nor must he be a new convert; for fear he should be elated with pride, and so involve himself in the same ruin as the devil. besides, he ought to stand fair in the opinion of unbelievers, lest he fall into disgrace, and the ambushes of the accuser. The deacons too must be grave, not double tongued, not addicted to drinking, or sordid gain, but by their integrity maintain the reverence due to the gospel. let them be first examin'd, and if they are without reproach, let them enter upon their office. their wives must be likewise grave, free from scandal, sober, and always faithful. a deacon must have but one wife, and govern his children, and the rest of the family in a proper manner. for they who duly discharge that office, prepare their way to a higher degree, and may promote the christian faith with the greater freedom.

to chuse such as are without reproach, married to but one wife, whose children are obedient, not accused of debauchery, nor unruly. for a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not morose, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not desirous of unlawful gain. but a lover of hospitality, humane, prudent, just, holy, temperate;read more.
attach'd to the truth, that has been taught him, that he may be able to teach others sound doctrine, and to convince those who oppose it.

At Miletus he sent a message to the pastors of the church at Ephesus, to come to him: and when they were arriv'd he told them, you know how I have always behav'd towards you from the first day of my arrival in Asia: how I have serv'd the Lord with all resignation, with tears, and trials occasion'd by the insidious practices of the Jews:read more.
that I have conceal'd nothing that might be useful to you, but have inform'd you of it, and instructed you therein, both in publick and in private: remonstrating both to Jews and Gentiles the advantages of a sincere repentance, and of believing in our Lord Jesus Christ. but now I am fix'd in my resolution to go to Jerusalem, without any apprehension of what may befal me there: save what the holy spirit in every city declares, "that bonds and afflictions wait for me." things that little affect me, nor is life so much my concern, as to finish my course, and the charge I receiv'd from the Lord Jesus, to attest the declaration of the divine favour. and now I am persuaded you will none of you see my face any more: whilst I have been among you, I have proclaim'd the kingdom of the Messias: I therefore declare to you at this present time, that I am not responsible for the ruin of any: for I have acquainted you with the whole dispensation of God without reserve. 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.