QUOTE
In a nutshell, the marks of the New Testament Church is that Jesus is the ONLY Head (Matt. 16:18, Col. 1:18); the ONLY rule of faith and practice is The Bible (II Tim. 3:15-17); Its name is "Church" Matt 16:18 and Rev. 22:16; it's members are saved people (Eph. 2:21, I Pet. 2:5), its ordinances are BELIEVERS' baptism (not infant) and the Lord's Supper (Matt. 28:19-20); it's officers are Pastors and Deacons (I Tim. 3:1-16); it's work is to get people saved (the Great Commission) and it is separated from the State (otherwise, we'd all be Catholic!).
Well said (or quoted!)
"Jesus is the ONLY Head."However, look at I Tim 3:1-16 again:
Excuse all the strongs numbers. My bible software has them added, this is usually reason why I opt to use another version of the bible where my software does not add these numbers. Note "Bishops" and "Deacons."
1Ti 3:2 A
bishop1985 then3767 must1163 be1511 blameless,423 the husband435 of one3391 wife,1135 vigilant,3524 sober,4998 of good behavior,2887 given to hospitality,5382 apt to teach;1317
1Ti 3:3 Not3361 given to wine,3943 no3361 striker,4131 not3361 greedy of filthy lucre;146 but235 patient,1933 not a brawler,269 not covetous;866
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth4291 well2573 his own2398 house,3624 having2192 his children5043 in1722 subjection5292 with3326 all3956 gravity;4587
1Ti 3:5 (For1161 if1487 a man5100 know1492 not3756 how to rule4291 his own2398 house,3624 how4459 shall he take care of1959 the church1577 of God?)2316
1Ti 3:6 Not3361 a novice,3504 lest3363 being lifted up with pride5187 he fall1706 into1519 the condemnation2917 of the3588 devil.1228
1Ti 3:7 Moreover1161 he846 must1163, (2532) have2192 a good2570 report3141 of575 them which are without;1855 lest3363 he fall1706 into1519 reproach3680 and2532 the snare3803 of the3588 devil.1228
1Ti 3:8 Likewise5615 must the
deacons1249 be grave,4586 not3361 doubletongued,1351 not3361 given4337 to much4183 wine,3631 not3361 greedy of filthy lucre;146
Here is a more readable version.1Ti 3:1 The word is faithful: if any one aspires to exercise oversight, he desires a good work.
1Ti 3:2 The
overseer then must be irreproachable, husband of one wife, sober, discreet, decorous, hospitable, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3 not given to excesses from wine, not a striker, but mild, not addicted to contention, not fond of money,
1Ti 3:4 conducting his own house well, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (but if one does not know how to conduct his own house, how shall he take care of the assembly of God?)
1Ti 3:6 not a novice, that he may not, being inflated, fall into the fault of the devil.
1Ti 3:7 But it is necessary that he should have also a good testimony from those without, that he may fall not into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1Ti 3:8
Ministers, in like manner, grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not seeking gain by base means,
1Ti 3:9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1Ti 3:10 And let these be first proved, then let them minister, being without charge against them .
1Ti 3:11 The women in like manner grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
1Ti 3:12 Let the ministers be husbands of one wife, conducting their children and their own houses well:
AS you can see, I like the KJV but, as most any missionary will tell you, do not get overly hung up on the bible version issue.
A Bishop is a fancy word for "one who gives oversight." The KJV, as good as it was, was influenced by high Anglicanism with its emphasis on formality and instituionalism. Thus the King of England (King James, head of the Anglican Church) desired language in the offiical bible that undergirded his kingdom and its structure, just as the Duay version did the Catholic Church. (Am I stepping on toes? But its the truth!)
So, the
bishop is not necessarily the same as
'Pastor,' though they can be.
We read our culture into the bible and that is not good. In so doing we elevate our traditions above the Word of God---the same way the Roman Catholic church does, except they are more up front about it.
Look up the word
pastor in the New Testament and you will be shocked how few times it is mentioned. The reality is that the New Testament church saw a plurality of leadership, both in function and calling that guided the saints (believers) in the use of their gifts in the assembly.
The leaders were not the head, they only gave lead by word and example. But the flock ministered to each other, and each spoke as they were moved by God's Spirit, and the leadership kept things balanced and in order, and were only often the main speakers because of their age and experience, not position. They were not "Lord's over God's flock," but "examples," as it says in the book of Peter. Their joy was in seeing others excel in their gifts and ministry. It is a sad fact that evangelical churches today resemble the structure of the Roman Catholic Church far more than they do a New Testament church. This is painfully true, but admitted by numerous Church history books. For example, search the bible and find out where the
Gentile converts met. You will me most shocked!!! They met around a living room staring at each other as leaders facilitated one another’s involvement. (Och!
)
Is this part of your weekly Sunday gathering?
1Co 14:26 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one
hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1Co 14:27 If any man
speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one
interpret:
1Co 14:28 but if there be no interpreter, let him
keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
1Co 14:29 And let the prophets speak by two or three
, and let the others
discern.
1Co 14:30 But if a revelation be made to another
sitting by, let the first keep silence.
1Co 14:31 For ye all can prophesy one by one
, that all
may learn, and all
may be exhorted;
1Co 14:32 and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets;
1Co 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
1Co 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their
house.
Roman Catholicism has influenced us more than we dare realize. The priest, Martin Luther, broke away at some points, but in other points he did not---especially in the area of church government. The priesthood of all believers was in name more than in practice.
So then, I believe in overseers who guide the flock. And if you study it carefully, an overseer and an elder were the same thing. (I say, "were" because unfortunately they are distinct today as two offices in most churches.) But no typical Protestant church today has the right to condemn the Pope for being the head of his church since the Pastor has usurped the same position to himself, only over a much smaller congregation. The one great difference that divides evangelicals from Roman Catholics is not form, but belief. The Catholic Church believe good works merits salvation. Evangelicals believe that salvation by faith alone induces good works. The difference is enormous!
Do you still lover me!About bible versions: 
Study how Jesus and the rest of the New Testament quoted from the Old Testament (MT and LXX) and one will ever be silent on this needlessly divisive issue. What is inspired? The KJV or the original Greek from which it was translated? Am I to believe that the word “Easter” in the book of Acts is correct, but the original Greek wrong!!! Every where else Pasca was translated Passover, so why not there too?
The KJV is a wonderful version---but not flawless, even as the team of scholars that produced it do themselves insist. (They urge their reader in the preface of their own KJV not to lift their imperfect version [i.e., KJV] beyond what it is, that is, simply one imperfect translation of the perfect Word of God.
Let us rethink our traditions and denominational biases. We all see through a “glass darkly.” (KJV)
Love you all!
(just kidding)