Church Government

And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, 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 powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God.

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

Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. — read the full passage →

For the kingdom is Jehovah’s; And he is the ruler over the nations.

Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin.

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;

Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work,

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

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

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.

And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.

The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? — read the full passage →

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

for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.

Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. — read the full passage →

I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; — read the full passage →

Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.

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

and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — read the full passage →

For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing.

Be subject 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. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:

For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.

I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; — read the full passage →

And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

And he changeth the times and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that have understanding;

The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: — read the full passage →

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John;

There are many devices in a man’s heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.

But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and lifteth up another.

For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing. — read the full passage →

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. — read the full passage →

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: — read the full passage →

The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.

And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. — read the full passage →

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Then I came to the governors beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me captains of the army and horsemen.

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

And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care.

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

Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through till I come unto Judah;

And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s satraps, and to the governors beyond the River: and they furthered the people and the house of God.

And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided victuals for the king and his household: each man had to make provision for a month in the year.

For no word from God shall be void of power.

Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: — read the full passage →

I know that thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of thine can be restrained.

Take you wise men, and understanding, and known, according to your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.

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

Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.

Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

He increaseth the nations, and he destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and he leadeth them captive. — read the full passage →

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

Be subject 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 church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:

Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith.

But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. — read the full passage →

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Now concerning spiritualgifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. — read the full passage →

For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;

So the church throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.

Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; — read the full passage →

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are his. — read the full passage →

Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, according to thy tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. — read the full passage →

Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. — read the full passage →

Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. — read the full passage →

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.

holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. — read the full passage →

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; — read the full passage →

Let the elders that 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 that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity.

and from Jesus Christ, who isthe faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood; — read the full passage →

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

if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; — read the full passage →

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John; — read the full passage →