Studying the Bible -- What Are Elders (also Bishops and Pastors)?

The elders are the overseers of the local church. They must meet the qualifications outlined by Paul in his letters to Timothy and Titus (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9). They are not a law making body--Jesus is the only one who makes laws. They act as shepherds overseeing the flock. They try to guide the members in what is right but not in a domineering manner. They also refute any false doctrines that would lead members away from Christ.

Some use the words elder, bishop, and pastor to refer to different offices. However, in the New Testament they are synonymous. The three Greek words are actually translated into six terms:
Poimainain is translated "shepherd" and "pastor".
Presbuterous is translated "elder" and "presbyter".
Episkopous is translated "bishop" and "overseer".
Each of these terms relates to a facet of his quality and his work. That they all refer to the same office is clear from I Peter 5:1-4 where he uses all three terms interchangeably. The elders are exhorted to shepherd (KJV-Feed) the flock among whom they were made overseers. In Acts 20 Paul calls for the elders and exhorts them to take care of the flock among whom they were appointed as overseers (Acts 20:17, 28)

The elders only oversee the local congregation (those "among them", not multiple congregations), I Peter 5:2. Elders do not rule alone, but as a plurality (Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1; Acts 20:17).

There is no office in the church higher than the elder’s position. There is no association of bishops; no regional, country, or world representatives mentioned in the Bible. There are only local churches ruled by their qualified elders.


References: (King James version)

1 Timothy 3:1-7   "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."

Titus 1:5-9   "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."

1 Peter 5:1-4   "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

Acts 20:17, 28   "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church."
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."