What is a pastor? The word pastors means shepard, and comes from the word poimen used by Paul in Ephesians 4:11. Obviously, Jesus Christ is the chief Shepherd of the church, but He appoints "undershepherds" who lead, feed and tend the Church of God.
What is a bishop? The church at Philippi had bishops (Phil 1:1). The word comes from the Greek episcopos, which means "bishop," or "overseer." A bishop had the administrative responsibilty of the local church and usually fulfilled that task as a pastor. Shepherds or pastors were also called bishops.
What is an elder? The Greek word for elder, presbyteros, is used twenty times in the New Testament to describe a church leader. The word Presbyterian, as in the Presbyterian Church, comes from presbyteri. Elders were knownfor their wisdom and decision making ability. They were called leaders in the church (1 Tim. 5:17).Those who were elders were also called bishops and shepherds/pastors.
Who are priest? A priest in an Old Testament term for one who ministered for God and was a mediator between God and man. A priest sacrificed to God for people. In the Old Testament, all priest came from the tribe of Levi. Now Jesus Christ is our High Priest (1Tim 2:5) and has fulfilled the functions for us of sacrifice, intercession and worship to God. We come to God through Christ, not through a priest.
Who were the apostles? One who "accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John" (Acts 1:12-22),which meant a canidate must have known and experienced the baptism of John. Second, an apostle had to be "a witness with us of His resurrection" (v.22). Because of these two criteria, the majority of evabgelical Christians do not believe there are apostles today.
What is a bishop? The church at Philippi had bishops (Phil 1:1). The word comes from the Greek episcopos, which means "bishop," or "overseer." A bishop had the administrative responsibilty of the local church and usually fulfilled that task as a pastor. Shepherds or pastors were also called bishops.
What is an elder? The Greek word for elder, presbyteros, is used twenty times in the New Testament to describe a church leader. The word Presbyterian, as in the Presbyterian Church, comes from presbyteri. Elders were knownfor their wisdom and decision making ability. They were called leaders in the church (1 Tim. 5:17).Those who were elders were also called bishops and shepherds/pastors.
Who are priest? A priest in an Old Testament term for one who ministered for God and was a mediator between God and man. A priest sacrificed to God for people. In the Old Testament, all priest came from the tribe of Levi. Now Jesus Christ is our High Priest (1Tim 2:5) and has fulfilled the functions for us of sacrifice, intercession and worship to God. We come to God through Christ, not through a priest.
Who were the apostles? One who "accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John" (Acts 1:12-22),which meant a canidate must have known and experienced the baptism of John. Second, an apostle had to be "a witness with us of His resurrection" (v.22). Because of these two criteria, the majority of evabgelical Christians do not believe there are apostles today.
