Church Government

When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. — read the full passage →

Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.”

I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you;

Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; — read the full passage →

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.

He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;

or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.

The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;

Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” — read the full passage →

For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.

for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.

This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. — read the full passage →

I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: — read the full passage →

Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.

Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; — read the full passage →

He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,

For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, attending continually on this very thing.

Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,

For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: — read the full passage →

I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed. — read the full passage →

This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John,

For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, attending continually on this very thing. — read the full passage →

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. — read the full passage →

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same, — read the full passage →

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly.

But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. — read the full passage →

Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.”

and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

For everything spoken by God is possible.”

Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, — read the full passage →

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.

But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; — read the full passage →

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.

with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love;

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be.

Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.

But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.

I also tell you that you are Peter,and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hadeswill not prevail against it.

A reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said, “Rise, and measure God’s temple, and the altar, and those who worship in it. — read the full passage →

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”

Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don’t want you to be ignorant. — read the full passage →

For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain;

So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;

They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money; — read the full passage →

Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. — read the full passage →

This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. — read the full passage →

When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.

holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him.

This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. — read the full passage →

I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; — read the full passage →

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. — read the full passage →

for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood; — read the full passage →

which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; — read the full passage →

For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; — read the full passage →

This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John, — read the full passage →