Question:
Shouldn’t the true believers in Christ have bishops among them?
Answer:
Nearly all do, sometimes too many. The word “bishop” comes from episkopos, meaning an overseer, on overlooker, or a shepherd, and is used synonymously with “elder.”
Notice how the Bible uses the word:
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
The above scripture shows that a “bishop” cares for the church.
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” (Titus 1:5-9).
In Titus 1:5-9, an “elder” is called a “bishop.”
“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25).
In 1 Peter, the word “Shepherd” in Greek is poimēn, meaning “pastor.” The term is connected to and interchangeable with “bishop,” so, like an elder, a pastor is a bishop.
“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:8-16).
“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:28-31).
Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12 above list the ministerial gifts that the Lord has placed in His church for the edification and oversight of the body. Notice that a “bishop” is not explicitly mentioned because, as we’ve learned, a bishop is another title for an elder or pastor. Apostles (missionaries), prophets, evangelists, teachers, and pastors (also called elders and bishops) were given “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
So, yes, believers have bishops among them, and a bishop is a title and role necessary in the church of God. Only men have distinguished between a bishop, pastor, and elder; God, in His word, has not done so.
