I don't see where an elder is any different then the term pastor or bishop in the NT. I don't believe there is supposed to be one person that rules the roast in an assembly of believers. That is not a construct of the New Testament church but a man-made tradition coming from the OT.
I see elders that are plural and shepherd the flock together watching over them ( bishop ).
An elder, pastor and bishop are all the same thing - just describing a name, function and office within the local assembly.
Acts 20:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP] And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
[SUP]28 [/SUP] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock ( what pastors do ), over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers ( what bishops do ), to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Peter 5:1-3 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
[SUP]2 [/SUP] shepherd ( same word as for pastors in Eph 4:11 ) the flock of God among you, exercising oversight ( same root word for bishop ) not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
[SUP]3 [/SUP] nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
I see elders that are plural and shepherd the flock together watching over them ( bishop ).
An elder, pastor and bishop are all the same thing - just describing a name, function and office within the local assembly.
Acts 20:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP] And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
[SUP]28 [/SUP] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock ( what pastors do ), over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers ( what bishops do ), to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Peter 5:1-3 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
[SUP]2 [/SUP] shepherd ( same word as for pastors in Eph 4:11 ) the flock of God among you, exercising oversight ( same root word for bishop ) not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
[SUP]3 [/SUP] nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
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