What does the Bible say about elders and deacons?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• 1 Timothy 3:1-16

  [1] This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. [2] The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; [3] not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; [4] one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; [5] (but if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?) [6] not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. [7] Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil. [8] Deacons, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money; [9] holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. [10] Let them also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, if they are blameless. [11] Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. [13] For those who have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. [14] These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; [15] but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. [16] Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, And received up in glory.

• Acts 6:1-15

  [1] Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily service. [2] The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. [3] Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. [4] But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word." [5] These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; [6] whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. [7] The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. [8] Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. [9] But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. [10] They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. [11] Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." [12] They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council, [13] and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. [14] For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." [15] All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

• Acts 14:23

  When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

• Titus 1:5

  I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you;

• 1 Timothy 3:1-6

  [1] This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. [2] The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; [3] not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; [4] one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; [5] (but if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?) [6] not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

• Titus 1:1-16

  [1] Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, [2] in hope of eternal life, which God, who can't lie, promised before eternal times; [3] but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; [4] to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. [5] I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; [6] if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. [7] For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; [8] but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober-minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; [9] holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. [10] For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, [11] whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain's sake. [12] One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons." [13] This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, [14] not paying attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. [15] To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. [16] They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

• 1 Timothy 3:2

  The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;

• 1 Peter 5:1-12

  [1] I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed. [2] Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; [3] neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. [4] When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away. [5] Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." [6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; [7] casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. [8] Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. [9] Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. [10] But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. [11] To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. [12] Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

• 1 Timothy 5:22

  Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men's sins. Keep yourself pure.

• Acts 6:3

  Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

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