Who Is Superior: An Apostle or A Bishop?

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   ngurecoposted 14 years ago

   Who Is Superior: An Apostle or A Bishop?

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   Precious100posted 14 years ago

   An Apostle is more superior. Apostle is part of the five fold ministry. Many scriptures support this...1 Corinthians 12:28....And God hath set some in the church, first apostles,....   They were chosen also to lay the foundations of churches. Whereas.....
   
   A Bishop is not part of the five fold ministry. 1 Timothy 3:1...This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  See also 1 Timothy 3:2-13  A Bishop is on the same level as a Deacon.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      no one os above anyone-- read your bible people

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   Lady LaShondaposted 14 years ago

   Precious have the right answer. Apostle is a gift to the church. They receive instructions for Christianity as a whole and shouldn't be designated for one specific interest. Bishops on the other hand are placed into that position by the Apostle for a set district. AND it is a desired position. Don't really need to be called by GOd for it. Apostles has to be called and chosen by GOd for such...

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      celafoeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      neither is a position so your question is invalid.    you have been deceived by the churches of men and their false doctrines

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   Allan McGregorposted 14 years ago

   The word Bishop does occur in the Bible but not in that form. It evolved from the original Greek EPISKOPOS, which means literally 'Overseer'.
   
   In English, we often shave the '-OS' inflection off Greek nouns, so we can see how EPISKOPOS became EPISKOP, before becoming BISKOP and finally BISHOP.
   
   Paul was an Apostle and ordained both Timothy and Titus as Episkopi, but as their Overseer, he was also their Episkopos, so the distinction is a moot one because, like the offices of the so-called 'five fold ministry' it is not a strict designation of rank but a description of function. It is however, higher than a Deacon because Paul discusses both separately in 1 Timothy chapter 3.
   
   In my hub, 'The role of the prophet in the Church', I exaplin how all five ministry gifts are complementary and intended to act together like the fingers of God's hand, to equip and not strip the saints for the work of the ministry.
   
   An apostle is a 'sent-out-one', whose job is to establish local churches.
   
   An evangelist is called to preach the Good News which in Greek is the 'Evangelion'.
   
   A prophet speaks whatever he hears from God, that God wants spoken to the Church.
   
   A pastor is appointed to shepherd God's flock.
   
   A teacher is to impart whatever truths the Teacher (the Holy Spirit) directs.
   
   All five overlap to varying degrees because each is God's gift to the Church, operating in the power of the Gift who is none other than the Holy Spirit himself.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      in the new testament church NO ONE is higher than any other, ALL ARE EQUAL, some have more responsibilities.   The scriptural ministry is supposed to be the lowest, servants. BOND SERVANTS

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   christ4everposted 13 years ago

   Out of the ranks of these early disciples would come some of the more prominent patriarchs and founding members of the early Christian church. These men and the elect others who followed after them would add their names to the Apostleship of the first ecclesiastic council and become instrumental not only in spreading the gospel, but also in establishing the foundations for the Church of the New Covenant in Jesus Christ throughout the known world. read more

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   Blessed Hillposted 7 years ago

   Jesus said to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God you must become the servant of all. There is a misconception about what the church is. The church is not an organisation where people can climb a corporate ladder because of hard work, education and experience. The church is an organism, it is a body, it is the body of Jesus Christ and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Paul never exalted his ministry as an apostle but He did exalt the One who called him into it. The bible says if we humble ourselves before God HE will exalt us in due season. Apostleship is something a believer is called to by God, it is not a position to be filled in an organisation.

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      calvin kwameposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Thats the truth

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      Al Bryanposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with your observation, but unfortunately in reality there are a lot of clergy who do climb the ladder.  The biggest denominations seem to encourage this.

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      celafoeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      yes but since all denominations are an abomination because God hates division those professing to be clergy work for satan , not for God and their works is to deceive the saints which they are very good at

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   newjerusalemposted 7 years ago

   Apostles have more authority and responsibility to carry out the mission of the Lord. They shouldn't claim that they are superior. Apostle Paul considered himself lesser than the least among the saints. Bishops or overseers or Elders are appointed by the Apostles. The ministry of an apostle is not limited to a local church and the Lord may use him all over the world, but the ministry of a bishop is limited to a local church.

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   manatita44posted 7 years ago

   The God-lover is far superior. He accepts the teachings of someone, has Faith in him and adheres to these Principles as he is taught. That someone or Master, then takes responsibility for his life and guides him accordingly. Discipleship is of the Heart and an Apostle may or may not be devotional or full of Faith, like Judas or Thomas. Same with a Bishop.
   
   Some Bishops have been Saints and some were so bad that they were ex-communicated! Some Apostles were mystical and others left a lot to be desired. Generally, an Apostle is one who follows a God-man and yes, a Bishop can be a man of God. This makes them both God-lovers and it's then not necessary to Judge.
   
   Bear in mind though, that Spirituality is the language of the Heart and that robes, Habits, names or titles have never been able to get to Heaven. We must decide whether the Scribes, Saducees, doctors and Elders of the Law were just or not.
   
   A God-lover can be a very poor soul and not even very educated. Ramakrishna was like that. A man can be a luminary, famous or otherwise and yet lacking in the qualities of the devout, who is infinitely closer and dearer to God.
   
   In a loose sense, the Disciple is a servant of God in this life, and the Bishop a man of the cloth; of Religion who may or may not be a man of God. They are really very different things. Loving thoughts.

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   AF Mindposted 7 years ago

   Neither. Whoever preaches the laws, statutes, and commandments of the Almighty are equal.

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    Chernikalposted 6 years ago

    None of them are superior. The Bible says in Romans 16:17-18:
    I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
    
    It is not suppose to be divisions in the churches yet many churches believe that this is ok.

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       celafoeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       all "churches" cause division and because they do. God has spewed them out and turned them over to satan who they proudly serve, being deceived and deceiving others

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    Mark O Richardsonposted 4 years ago

    An Apostle is a higher calling. An Apostle helps to lead the Church as a whole. A bishop leads an individual congregation.

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