What is a Biblical, Model Church?

[stovebolts]

Thanks for your reply Tim,
I'll have to do some further study on this, thanks for bringing it up :D . I tried to read Titus 1 in light of this conversation, and I still struggle with the idea that Paul is switching who he is talking to... but, I suppose it could be. Like I said, I'll just have to do some more studies on the matter.

Thanks again!

 

[one_lost_coin]

That was pretty good One_Lost_Coin. Thanks for sharing.

I do have one question though, are you saying that you see a difference between the role of a bishop and the role of an elder? I was taught that they were the same role and the words were used interchangeably.

Look at these verses and tell me how you read it.

Snipits from Titus 1

An elder ( presbuteros ) must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who cannot be charged with dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer ( episkopos ) must be blameless as one entrusted with God’s work, not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain...

Yes I understand it as two different roles. The way I understand it is the terms became codified in the early second century and initially were being used in all kinds of manners as to a function such as Bishops have a pastoral role and can be reffered to by that role of a pastor but not all pastors are bishops. Bishops also have a priestly role but not all priests "now days" are Bishops but initially I am pretty sure they were.

From what I remember and I am doing this off memory Elder was a Church leader, Apostles/Bishops are associated more with overseer but I think there are a couple of occassions they reffered to themselves as elders because they were also elder figures of the community. Although they were elders of the church in one sense typically the Elders were those who maintained a house church/congregation in a more pastoral way not sacramental way like a bishop. Now there is recorded in early Church writting that these elders would be given the Eucharist by the Bishop to take to more remote places for individuals who couldn't make the journey, or he just couldn't be everywhere doing everything or what ever reason. Eventually out of neccesity it became what is today a priest and they began consecrating it themselves after the Church made it a Holy Order. A parish priest is the result in the developement of the role of elder. which is why elder becomes assoc with priest.

I hope I remember that accuratly if not I know its close.