Bishops

Is Christ the TRUE Bishop who indwells His People? Let's examine.

BISHOPS: BODY OF CHRIST AS OVERSEER OF THE KINGDOM?

1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop <1984>, he desireth a good work.

Ac 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick <1984> let another take.

Mt 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

Ac 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers <1985>, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops <1985> and deacons: (The local bishops and deacons seem to have typified the body who was to oversee the activities of God’s Kingdom).

Tit 1:7 For a bishop <1985> must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Jer 23:9 Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.

Jer 51:7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight <1983> thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Eze 34:3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

Eze 34:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

Ge 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his (Pharaoh - type of God) sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Pr 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Pr 6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, (separation of wheat and tares? No prophet bringing truth?)

Eze 34:15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.

1Ti 3:2 A bishop <1985> then must be blameless <423>, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

1Ti 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable <423>, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Tit 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

Pr 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

1Pe 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Tit 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

CHRIST: TRUE BISHOP AND OVERSEER?

1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

SUMMARY CONCLUSION

The purpose of this study, Lord willing, is to encourage others to consider the spiritual rather than the shadow that is often associated with the <local> churches. It would appear that the Bishops of the congregations were typifying Christ or His Body who was to be overseer over God’s spiritual house.