Bible Questions Answered:
What is the difference in all of these titles, from the New Testament?
Elder, Bishop, Pastor, Vicar.
Shelby N./ L eicester, U.K.
Bible Answers:
Three of these titles appear in the Word of God, the fourth does not.
Elder: Elder, or old man.
Luke 22:66 KJV (Greek- Presbuterion: The order of elders. The Presbytery.
“And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led Him into their council,...”
Acts 22:5 KJV (Greek-Presbuteros: A senior; member of the council, or presbyter.)
“As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren,...”
Bishop
I Timothy 3:1,2 KJV
[1] This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
(Greek-Episkope: The office of a Bishop, superintendence; Episkeptomai: To go to see, visitation.)
[2] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
(Greek-Episkopos: A superintendent, in general charge of a church, overseer.)
Pastor:
Ephesians 4:11 KJV
“And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”
(Greek-Poimen: A shepherd.) To, feed, guide and protect the sheep.
Vicar:/ Full Vicar:
Websters New World Dictionary: A person who acts in the place on another.
Roman Catholic Church: The Pope, full Vicar. A full representative of Christ. A person who acts in place of another; substitute.
Should anyone purport to take the place of Christ?
No!
Is Christ dead, and in the tomb?
No!
And because He is not dead and hanging on a cross today, no one need attempt to take His place, or to sacrifice Him again and again on a cross!
Hebrews 9:24-26 NLT
24 For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf.
25 And He did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal.
26 If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began.
But now, once for all time, He has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by His own death as a sacrifice.
I Peter 3:18 KJV
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV
[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 7:17,24-26 KJV
[17] ...Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
[24] But this man (Jesus Christ), because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
[25] Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
[26] For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Hebrews 13:5 KJV
“...He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Does anyone need to take His place? No!
He is a High Priest forever, He continueth forever, with and unchangeable Priesthood. He ever liveth to make intercession for His people!
I Peter 5:1-5 NLT
1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in His glory when He is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you:
2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
3 Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.
4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
5 In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for God opposes the proud but favors the humble.
