Church Leaders

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.

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

And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; — read the full passage →

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.

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.

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;

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

Be not manyof youteachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.

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

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;

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.

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

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 →

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

neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.

Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

He must increase, but I must decrease.

And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

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 →

fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. — read the full passage →

Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

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

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;

But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; — read the full passage →

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

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;

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 →

if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.

Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

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.

doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you.

But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, — read the full passage →

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.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

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:

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.

(but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; — 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:

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

But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; — read the full passage →

being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:

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

Ye call me, Teacher, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. — read the full passage →

And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. — read the full passage →

preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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 →

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 →

Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.

but in his own seasons manifested his word in the message, wherewith I was intrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;

through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;

Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables.

who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw.

But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.

no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;

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

Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. — read the full passage →

To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;

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 →

and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; — read the full passage →

Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.

But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. — read the full passage →

but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

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 →

But he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister;

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not.

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will counsel thee with mine eye upon thee.

to Titus, my true child after a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.

And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we tarried seven days.

Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations;

For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.

When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.

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.

So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.

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

Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus,