Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
The term bishop is often misused and it is troubling to the people of God when this happens.
Here is the correct use of the term "bishop".
Paul explains:
I
Tim. 3 ... This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a
bishop, he desireth a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the
husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to
hospitality, apt to teach; 3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy
of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4One that
ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all
gravity; 5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he
take care of the church of God?) 6Not a novice, lest being lifted up
with pride he fall into the
condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover he must have a good report of
them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the
devil.
8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not
given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9Holding the mystery of
the faith in a pure conscience. 10And let these also first be proved;
then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Titus
1 ... For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in
order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I
had appointed thee:
6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife,
having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7For a bishop
must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon
angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8But a
lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy,
temperate; 9Holding fast the
faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound
doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
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We see Paul used these terms interchangeably ... bishop & elder
Notice a bishop is not a higher position than elder ... it is the same thing.
Elder/bishop is a more experienced person than deacon but the qualifications are same.
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Apostle,
prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher are ministry offices for the
church. A person could be one of these offices and also be a
bishop/elder.
We see by the following scripture that Peter was an elder
as well as an apostle.
I Peter 5 ... The elders which are among
you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of
Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2Feed
the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not
by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready
mind; 3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples
to the flock.
I Tim. 5 ... Paul says ...
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,
especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
So
the elders/bishops "rule in the church", seemingly taking care of the
sheep of the local assembly and some are able to instruct and all set an
example for the flock of God.
Paul was an apostle/teacher but Paul could never be an elder or bishop for Paul never married and had no children. It was requirement that elder/bishop be husband of one wife and that he have his children under control.
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The ministry offices are as follows ...
After Jesus arose, after HE was crucified and resurrected ... HE gave gifts to the church ... Eph. 4 ... And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
To define these offices:
apostle:
is like a judge in a court of law. The apostles often consider such
matters as divorce/remarriage and present what the Bible says and
present rulings from the Holy Spirit and the Bible.
prophet:
prophets are often used by God to deliver corrections to individuals
who are continuing in sin. Prophets are sent to the church. They often
deal with sin in the ministry. But they also deal with sin in the
congregation. People are often blinded by sin and hardened. Sometimes
God will send a prophet to shine light on that hidden sin.
evangelist: is sent to the world... to the unsaved.
pastor: is likely like a shepherd over the flock, the congregation ... sent to the church.
teacher: sent to the church to present and compare doctrine.
Paul
was not the last apostle as some churches teach but rather Paul was the
first of the New Testament apostles. Paul was not like the apostles
who walked with Jesus in the flesh. Paul was called after Jesus arose,
just like Eph. 4 teaches. Paul is the first of the example of New
Testament apostle.