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Two Offices: Pastor and Deacon Two Offices: Pastor and Deacon Baptist people through the ages have held to the belief that the local assembly of believers (that is the local church) shall have two offices or positions by title. Those titles are Pastor, and Deacon. Besides these two, there should be no others. Furthermore, we shall prove from the Bible and show from history, that the terms of elder and bishop, both used in the Bible, are terms for the same office, that being the office that we commonly call pastor today. Purely the invention of man is the idea that elders rule the local church while a bishop rules the elders and bishops are perhaps ruled by some other Of course within these two offices, there can be, according to scripture, more than one pastor and more than one deacon serving within the same local church. The term Pastor is only found one time in the New Testament (Ephesians 4:11). Ephesians 4:4-16 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 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: 14 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; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 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. 1 | P a g e Things to note concerning this passage of scripture: 1. There are NOT multiple faiths, baptisms, Spirits (note the capital “S”), bodies, Gods, Fathers, or Lords. 2. A list of offices or positions for the local church is given that is complete: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. 3. The offices in #2 above, are for: a. Perfecting the Saints b. The Work of the Ministry c. Edifying the body of Christ manifest in the Local Church 4. The goals to be achieved in #3 above are: a. Unity of the Faith b. Knowledge of the Son of God c. Becoming Perfect (Complete – lacking nothing - a lifelong process) d. Stablished in right Doctrine, and in that unmovable e. Always speaking Truth in Love f. Grow up in Christ – don’t remain a baby g. That the body (again manifest in the Local Church) works effectively – every joint, every part, which builds up the local church (edifying) by love 5. This passage clearly is describing an entity that is complete and the offices listed are given by Christ. To conclude that because we don’t see the term elder or bishop here that this list is NOT complete or that there is something sorely lacking in the very leadership of the church, would throw this passage on its head and destroy the message of this passage, that being of the nature of a healthy, growing, effective, completely equipped for the ministry local church. The Term “Bishop” The encyclopedia Britannica, states that the “Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and other churches have maintained the view that bishops are the successors of the Apostles and that an unbroken line of succession connects the Apostles to all legitimate bishops, a doctrine known as apostolic succession”. In the catholic institution, the Pope, cardinals, archbishops, patriarchs, and metropolitans are different gradations (levels) of bishops. The encyclopedia goes on to say (http://www.britannica.com/topic/bishop-Christianity) : From the Roman Empire’s recognition of Christianity in the 4th century AD until the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, the bishop was the chief pa stor, priest, administrator, and ruler of his diocesan Christian community. He was the chief liturgical minister; he baptized, celebrated the Eucharist, ordained, absolved, controlled church finances, and settled matters of dispute. 2 | P a g e As far as after the reformation period and the establishment of the protestant institutions, the encyclopedia declares that some Lutheran churches (in the U.S., Scandinavia, and Germany) have bishops, but, except those in Sweden, they have not maintained the doctrine of apostolic succession. Regarding United Methodists, they have a council of bishops which function as superintendents of several congregations and have the power to ordain ministers. United Methodist Bishops are claimed to provide spiritual leadership to 12 million persons (http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/council-of-bishops). These bishops come from the pool of clergy existing. All bishops in the United Methodist movement get paid exactly the same amount of money, which for 2014 was $141,400 (in the United States) and an “episcopal residence”. There are currently 15 women bishops serving. The Episcopal Church has a “House of Bishops” currently containing nearly 300 active members, but this body makes up only half of the ruling body of this institution. The other body is called the House of Deputies. Both bodies must concur to adopt legislation. On a side note, this institution openly states (http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/lgbt-church): In 1976, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church declared that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church" . Since then, faithful Episcopalians have been working toward a greater understanding and radical inclusion of all of God’s children. Along the way, The Episcopal Church has garnered a lot of attention, but with the help of organizations such as Integrity USA, the church has continued its work toward full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Episcopalians. In 2003, the first openly gay bishop was consecrated; in 2009, General Convention resolved that God’s call is open to all; and in 2012, a provisional rite of blessing for same-gender relationships was authorized, and discrimination against transgender persons in the ordination process was officially prohibited. To our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender brothers and sisters: “The Episcopal Church welcomes you!” Not all protestant denominations have bishops, but some, like those described above, do have bishops, and in all cases, they are involved in ruling over their denomination as a whole. Notice there is no autonomy of the local church! The Term Elder The term elder is a biblical term that has also been misused by many. Some churches like the Presbyterian and some Bible churches, will have a layer of ruling or ministerial helping “elders”. For example, in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Constitution, elders are instructed to engage members in the mission of the church and to provide opportunities for evangelism, pastoral care, worship, education and stewardship (Book of Order, G-10.0100). Also, we find in this 3 | P a g e institution that “Elders are called to exercise leadership, government and discipline” (Book of Order, G-60302). Some well-known radio and T.V. preachers with world-wide ministries promote the idea that there is to be an additional layer of office in the local church and they call that the office of the elder. In these churches you will find deacons, pastors and elders. One such well known person is John MacArthur and his well-known Grace to You ministry. Unfortunately, there are many Baptists in our day who are chasing this idea of having elders as well as deacons and pastors in their churches. The next time you talk to a Baptist that says they have elders or going to have elders, ask them if they have or are going to have bishops as well! In my experience they will stand there and blink at you not having a clue what you are talking about. The simple fact is that if elder is a term for an office separate from the pastor, then we would have to conclude by the same reasoning that the term bishop is also separate from the pastor and also separate from the elder. So, if these churches are claiming to be more closely following the Bible by having elders, why would they not go “all the way” and have bishops also? I have NO idea! The Truth – What the Bible Teaches The plain teaching of the Bible is that the terms pastor, elder, and bishop describe the SAME office in the local church. These different terms refer to different aspects of the same position. 1. Pastor – leader and shepherd of the local flock – teacher, nurturer, and protector 2.
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