The Write Place

The argument about polity carries more importance than one would naturally think. It instructs us not just on how things are done, but what we are. Like any hierarchy the polity of the church teaches us who and what the church is, a direct outworking of what Christ has done.

 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 4:5

While the Bible does not give us a specific book of order as it were, it tells us plenty about the offices of the church. It does this both by showing and by telling.

 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” ² And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
Acts 15:1-2

Here we are are shown how the church did church in the era of the apostles. The Jerusalem council was over the contentious issue of keeping the Old ceremonial laws. Apostles and elders were sent.

Apostles and Elders are of course, distinct. Notice something about the two here. Both Apostles and Elders are referenced as performing the same task in this regard. Apostles were infallible, but they inserted themselves among the elders. Both are essentially ministers under the same high priest. Allow me to elaborate.

1As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;  not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. ⁵ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:1-5

Peter no doubt has in mind Christ’s words to him to “Feed my lambs.” Peter knows he is an apostle, but he also sees himself as an elder. In fact Peter and the apostles present at the council of Jerusalem voted with the elders, they did not dictate to them.

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, ²³ with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers^[c] who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. ²⁴ Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you^[d] with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, ²⁵ it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶ men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. ²⁸ For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: ²⁹ that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
Acts 15:22-29

At the council of Jerusalem, the Apostles voted alongside the Elders. This is remarkable, as the Apostles were commissioned personally by the risen Christ, and infallible in their writings. Yet here they act as elders, speaking together.

As an elder worthy of the call, Peter understands he is one of the undershepherds of Christ’s flock. Peter is not the head of the church. Peter knows he is not a mediator for the Church either. Through Paul God tells us…

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man^[a] Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:5

Peter knows that Christ is the High Priest. The Christians have direct access to God now. They already have a living High Priest.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we^[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith^[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we^[c] rejoice^[d] in hope of the glory of God. ³ 
Romans 5:1-2

Notice it is by faith, and it is secured. Not mediated through another priesthood. We do not need an ongoing system to infuse grace. We already have it secure in Christ. Because of his work, all believers are a Holy priesthood and capable of immediate fellowship with God. So, what does that mean for how we do church?

Well, we find a twofold ministry of leaders serving in the church. Elders (also known as overseers), like Peter serve as one office in the Church. The other listed in scripture are deacons, both in 1 Timothy 3.

3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ² Therefore an overseer^[a] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,^[b] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

⁸ Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,^[c] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. ⁹ They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. ¹¹ Their wives likewise^[d] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. ¹² Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. ¹³ For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 3:1-13

When we consider scripture comes into existence through history by the will of God, we can see how this all fits together. Irenaeus (130-202AD) expresses full awareness of the recent overlap of Apostles and Elders in scripture as recent history.

These opinions, Florinus, that I may speak in mild terms, are not of sound doctrine; these opinions are not consonant to the Church, and involve their votaries in the utmost impiety; these opinions, even the heretics beyond the Church’s pale have never ventured to broach; these opinions, those presbyters who preceded us, and who were conversant with the apostles, did not hand down to you

Irenaeus, Letter to Florinus

Irenaeus was very familiar with the apostles having appointed elders.

There are two terms that center the debate of how we do church. The terms Elder (presbuteros) and “Overseer” (Episcopos). Development over time led to elders becoming priests (presbyter turned into priest in English), and another title “episcopos/overseer” became bishop. If there were a place in scripture where the two are used interchangeably, it would be incredibly informative wouldn’t it?

⁵ This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— ⁶ if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,^[a] and his children are believers^[b] and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. ⁷ For an overseer,^[c] as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, ⁸ but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound^[d] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Titus 1:5-9

Look at that. The context does indicate we are speaking of the same office, albeit perhaps with different names and functions within it. You can think of as elder and overseer are both elders, but the title overseer tells you what the elder is doing.

We are also students of history, let us turn to it once more.

And lest any should in a spirit of contention argue that there must then have been more bishops than one in a single church, there is the following passage which clearly proves a bishop and a presbyter to be the same
Jerome Commentary on Titus 1.4

Jerome (approximately 342-420 AD), often praised by the Roman Church for his work on their authoritative translation known as the Latin Vulgate, affirms the two are one office. Jerome is very Presbyterian. He is also not alone.

Thus, in fact, the difference [in observing] the fast establishes the harmony of [our common] faith. And the presbyters preceding Soter in the government of the Church which you now rule

Irenaeus, Fragments of The Lost Writings of Irenaeus III.

It is worth noting the word translated as “bishop” (episcopos) is not used here, and is used interchangeably with elder. You never find the offices listed together as Presbyters, Bishops and Deacons in scripture. In Titus 1, we find the word for “overseer/bishop” used interchangeably with elder.

But gee, if only we saw this two-fold ministry of yours in the early church.
You do if you look at it.

Therefore, appoint for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of money (1 Timothy 3:4) and truthful and proven; for they also render to you the service of prophets and teachers.
The Didache, 15, 2nd century

The reference to 1 Timothy 3 in reference to bishops is particularly of note. Aside from showing that they had 1 Timothy, it details the qualifications for the two-fold offices.

For you did all things without respect of persons, and walked in the commandments of God, being obedient to those who had the rule over you, and giving all fitting honour to the presbyters among you.

1 Clement Chapter 1, 1st century approximately 70-96 AD

Clement interestingly enough, is counted among the popes. Here he writes with the church at Rome to the church at Corinth. The church at Corinth had significant issues dating back to the time of the apostles (just see 1st and 2nd Corinthians). Clement’s argument is fascinating considering he does not appeal to his “seat of Peter” in any shape. Instead, he appeals from one church to another. Just as fascinating is how he mentions the term for elders. Clement never mentions following a bishop or episcopos (himself or another) as we would know them, presiding over either location.

Let us return to Irenaeus

As I have already observed, the Church, having received this preaching and this faith, although scattered throughout the whole world, yet, as if occupying but one house, carefully preserves it. She also believes these points [of doctrine] just as if she had but one soul, and one and the same heart, and she proclaims them, and teaches them, and hands them down, with perfect harmony, as if she possessed only one mouth. For, although the languages of the world are dissimilar, yet the import of the tradition is one and the same. For the Churches which have been planted in Germany do not believe or hand down anything different, nor do those in Spain, nor those in Gaul, nor those in the East, nor those in Egypt, nor those in Libya, nor those which have been established in the central regions of the world. But as the sun, that creature of God, is one and the same throughout the whole world, so also the preaching of the truth shines everywhere, and enlightens all men that are willing to come to a knowledge of the truth. Nor will any one of the rulers in the Churches, however highly gifted he may be in point of eloquence, teach doctrines different from these (for no one is greater than the Master); nor, on the other hand, will he who is deficient in power of expression inflict injury on the tradition. For the faith being ever one and the same, neither does one who is able at great length to discourse regarding it, make any addition to it, nor does one, who can say but little diminish it.

Irenaeus Against Heresies Book 1. Ch10.2

What does Irenaues use to identify the faith? Not an institution, but the teaching of the faith. The Church for Irenaeus is defined not by having the right bishop/elder, but the faithful are identified by their faith.

Where did we start to think different?

To the fellow-Bishops and Deacons. What is this? Were there several Bishops of one city? Certainly not; but he called the Presbyters so. For then they still interchanged the titles, and the Bishop was called a Deacon
Athanasius Homily On Philippians 1:1-2

By Athanasius’ day, the church had become more centralized. He does notice this and the history, affirming that the two offices were considered the same. Athanasius even started as a deacon, a practice which is now common in Episcopal systems.

The shift may have occurred in the East first, and owes much to the imperialization of the faith. The organization of the church began to take the shape of the Empire. Add to this the temptation of practicality in an age of long travel and poor communication, and you can see why they would adopt a more monarchical model.

But why was this a later development? What did the earliest generations have in mind that they had no executive authority akin to what Bishops would become?

¹⁵ Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” ¹⁶ And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,

Revelation 11:15-16

Few know today that the book of Revelation not only takes place on “the Lord’s day,” it is without a doubt a Sunday worship service. We are given a look into heaven’s throne room where a heavenly liturgy is playing out. What do we find? Not Bishops, not high priests, but elders around the throne of God. Who is the High Priest leading the liturgy? The service is led by Jesus, our Great High Priest.

¹⁴ Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16

Elders are not Christ, they model Christ. During a service, they may even represent Christ. They are not the authority, they are under the authority who is the risen, living High Priest Christ Jesus. The church institution serves as a descriptive not prescriptive authority in the sense of ultimacy. The Church institutions describe what scripture teaches; they do not generate divine law. The officers in the church receive authority and are bound to Christ. As such, they are bound to the word of our great high priest.

There can only be one high priest. The risen Lord Jesus is our Great High Priest. He lives and reigns forevermore. Those who set themselves up as the head of the Church are usurping an office that is and will always be filled by Christ himself. We do not have or need anybody in his place. Christians are part of a priesthood, bought with the blood of Christ, a holy nation with elders specially tasked for the good of the body. Your church’s polity needs to reflect this truth.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ⁶ and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 1:4-6