didn’t God use one term to refer to the same Titus to "appoint elders in every city" (Tit. Who are the Elders, office in church government. The Holy Spirit 1:5). Then in verse 7 he instructs him: "For called the leaders of the New Testament a bishop must be blameless". Further Presbyters, Bishops, church by different terms because no single evidence comes from the apostle Peter. He term adequately describes their qualifications exhorts "the elders among you"(I Pet. 5:1) to Overseers, Pastors, etc.? and work. The use of equivalent terms for "feed the flock of God which is among you the same office is necessary to call attention serving as overseers” (v. 2). The word to various features of the character and work "feed" once again is the verb form of The Presbyterian Church has a local of this office. Even the same person may be "poimen" which is a shepherd or pastor. government in their congregations ruled by referred to by various terms depending on Peter then uses the three Greek terms to elders who are youths and often female. In the relationship or situation. For example, I refer to the same office. the Catholic Church the term “bishop” is often am known as Mr. Vess, preacher, daddy, used for a man who is over a particular Dan, Daniel, husband, Brother Vess, etc. A presbuteros elder presbyter parish or see. While the term is used in Biblical example is seen in the way God some Protestant denominations to refer to a refers to Jesus as King, Lamb, Christ, Lion, episcopos overseer bishop spiritual leader ordained over a particular etc. Each term focuses our attention on a district. The Mormon church has elders who different aspect of His work and character. poimen pastor shepherd are youths often unmarried and without a God has maintained a connection between family. Many denominational preachers are names and the work "Apostle" meant one The Greek word "presbuteros" is called “pastors.” Among all this confusion of who was sent. Jesus was the sender, and translated "elder" and "presbyter." The word denominational terminology which of these apostles were sent. Similar connections "elder" is a word of Anglo-Saxon origin reflects the organization of the church found between the words "patriarch", "prophet", and meaning "one older" or "an older person". in the New Testament? "priest" and their God- given responsibilities "Presbyter" is the anglicization or A study of the definitions of Biblical clearly demonstrate this point. Thanks be to transliterization or the Greek word. It is also terms is critical to an accurate understanding God for His great wisdom in using these of Latin origin. It means the same as elder. of any Bible topic. Words are vehicles by terms to help give us accurate insight. It needs to be pointed out that some have which thoughts are expressed in a way that Before continuing it must be noted objection to the use of the term the mind can clearly understand. Biblical that the six terms under discussion are used "eldership".They argue that such a word is terms like “bishop,” “elder,” “pastor,” etc. are interchangeably in the New Testament. In not found in the Bible. However, the Greek used in a variety of ways. Six different Acts 20:17 the apostle Paul calls for the word "presbuterion" in I Timothy 4:14 English words are translated from three "elders" of the church at Ephesus to meet translated "presbytery" could properly be Greek words relative to our study. The six him in Miletus. In verse 28 he refers to them translated "eldership". W. E. Vine defines English words are: "elder" and "presbyter" as "overseers" and instructs them to "feed" "presbuterion" as "an assembly of aged men, both translated from the Greek word the church. The word "feed" comes from the denotes (a) the council or Senate among the "presbuteros"; "overseer” and "bishop" Greek word "poimainein" which is simply the Jews, Lk. 22:66; Ac. 22;5; (b) the elders or translated from the Greek word "episcopos"; verb form of "poimen" (shepherd or pastor). bishops in the local church, I Tim. 4:14" (p. also there is "shepherd" and "pastor" Therefore, in this context the same group of 351). translated from "poimen". These are not men are referred to as elders, overseers, and The Greek word episkopos is honorary titles, but words describing the work shepherds. This clearly establishes the fact translated into two English words: overseer to be done by those qualified for the office. that they are one and the same. Again Paul and bishop. The word "overseer" is of What purpose does this serve? Why uses the terms interchangeably when he tells Anglo-Saxon origin meaning "over" to be

above in rank and authority and "seer" which organization of the early church. Every means to look upon or inspect. The word congregation in the New Testament times "bishop" is of Latin origin and is a corruption that had these men appointed to the of a Greek word. It means the same as leadership would have a plurality of elders, overseer. overseers or pastors. Any man claiming to The Greek word “poimen” is found be an elder, presbyter, overseer, bishop, eighteen times in the New Testament. It is pastor or shepherd must first meet the most often translated either “pastor” or qualifications found in 1 Tim. 3:1f and Tit. “shepherd.” The term denotes: a keeper of 1:5. Furthermore, a preacher or minster was sheep (Lk. 2:8); the work of Christ (Jn. not the same as the Pastor of a 10:11,14,15); and the work of elders of the congregation. First, the terms preacher, church (Eph. 4:11). Vine defines it as: minister, evangelist are not used interchangeably in the New Testament with "A shepherd, one who tends heard or the term “pastor” (Eph. 4:11). Pastor is used flocks 'not merely one who feeds them', is interchangeably with the terms “elder” and used metaphorically of C hrist's pastors,' “overseer.” Secondly, there would have to be Eph. 4:11. Pastors guide as well as feed a plurality of men equally serving the the flock; cp. Ac. 20:28; which, with ver. congregation as pastors having all met the 17, indica tes that this was the servic e committed to elders (overseers or same qualifications. bishops); so also in I Pet. 5:1,2, 'tend the Let us all resolve to help eliminate flock...exe rcisin g the over sight', RV.; this religious confusion by calling Bible things by involves tender care and vigilant Bible names and organizing the church after superintendence." (p. 839). the pattern found in the New Testament instead of denominational creed books. Similarly Thayer says, "...of the overseers of the Christian assemblies..." (p. 527). The verb "poimanino" is found 11 times. Vine Your are Invited to attend the says, "Metaphorically of those who act as pastors in the churches, Eph. 4:11." (p. Forum Terrace Church of Christ 1032). Again consulting Thayer who defines 2446 Arkansas Lane the verb form to as: "to feed, to tend a flock, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052 keep sheep; b. trop. a. to rule, govern; of Phone: 972.641.4351 rulers,..of the overseers (pastors) of the Internet: www.fourmterrace.com church, Jn. 21:16; Ac. 20:28; I Pt. 5:2. b. to furnish pasturage or food; to nourish; ... to Service Times cherish one's body, to serve the body, Jd. 12; Sunday to supply the requisites for the soul's Bible Study...... 9:30 am Worship Service...... 10:30 am needs..." (p. 527). Worship Service...... 5:00 pm Biblically speaking, the terms elder, Wednesday presbyter, overseer, bishop, pastor and Bible Study...... 7:30 pm shepherd all refer to the same office in the