8 Bible Verses about Church Government

In those days, as the number of the disciples grew, there arose a grudge among the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were despised in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said, "It is not meet that we should leave the word of God and serve at the tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, and full of the holy ghost and wisdom, which we may appoint to this needful business:read more.
but we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministration of the word." And the saying pleased the whole multitude well. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the holy ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicholas, a convert of Antioch, which they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

And when they had ordained them elders by election in every congregation, after they had prayed and fasted, they commended them to God on whom they believed.

For this cause left I thee in Crete: that thou shouldest perform that which was lacking and shouldest ordain elders in every city as I appointed thee.

Wherefore from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the congregation.

The elders which are among you I exhort, which am also an elder and a witness of the afflictions of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be opened: see that ye feed Christ's flock, which is among you, taking the oversight of them: not as though ye were compelled thereto, but willingly; Not for the desire of filthy lucre, but of a good mind. Not as though ye were lords over the parishes: but that ye be an example to the flock.read more.
And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive an incorruptible crown of glory.

This is a true saying: If a man covet the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. Yea, and a bishop must be faultless, the husband of one wife, sober, discreet, honestly appareled, harborous, apt to teach, not drunken, no fighter, not given to filthy lucre: but gentle, abhorring fighting, abhorring covetousness,read more.
and one that ruleth his own house honestly, having children under obedience, with all honesty. For if a man cannot rule his own house, how shall he care for the congregation of God? He may not be a young scholar, lest he swell and fall into the judgment of the evil speaker. He must also be well reported of among them which are without forth, lest he fall into rebuke, and into the snare of the evil speaker. Likewise must the deacons be honest, not double tongued, not given unto much drinking, neither unto filthy lucre: but having the mystery of the faith in pure conscience. And let them first be proved, and then let them minister, if they be found faultless. Even so must their wives be honest, not evil speakers: but sober, and faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife and such as rule their children well, and their own households. For they that minister well, get themselves good degree, and great liberty in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

If any be faultless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, which are not slandered of riot, neither are disobedient. For a bishop must be faultless, as it becometh the minister of God; not stubborn, not angry, no drunkard, no fighter, not given to filthy lucre: but harborous, one that loveth goodness, sober minded, righteous, holy, temperate,read more.
and such as cleaveth unto the true word of doctrine, that he may be able to exhort with wholesome learning, and to improve them that say against it.

Wherefore from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the congregation. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, "Ye know from the first day that I came unto Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humbleness of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which happened unto me by the layings wait of the Jews,read more.
and how I kept back nothing that was profitable: but that I have showed you, and taught you openly and at home in your houses, witnessing both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, the repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, and know not what shall come on me there, but that the holy ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and trouble abide me. But none of those things move me. Neither is my life dear unto myself; that I might fulfill my course with joy, and the ministration which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now behold, I am sure that henceforth ye all, through whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this same day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have kept nothing back: but have showed you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, whereof the holy ghost hath made you overseers: to rule the congregation of God, which he hath purchased with his blood.