Doctrine General Instruction Message To All

BISHOPS

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— This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

1 Timothy 3:1 KJV

Unlike the five fold ministers gifted by Christ Jesus to the Church of the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers

The role of a Bishop can be fulfilled by any man who meets the criteria.

So let us look at what the criteria is and maybe you can see if your bishop is actually a true Bishop according to the criteria set forth by Christ through his Apostles

1 Timothy 3:2-7 KJV — A bishop then must be…

BLAMELESS,

  1. not apprehended, that cannot be laid hold of
  2. that cannot be reprehended, not open to censure, irreproachable

THE HUSBAND

Well this is pretty obvious a Bishop has to be A MAN

OF ONE WIFE,

Now this is the controversial criteria, so I am staying focused on one point. As a disciple of Jesus Christ a Bishop cannot be a divorcee and he also cannot be married to a divorcee so says Jesus

— Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from [her] husband committeth adultery.

Luke 16:18 KJV

I will cover this more in depth later

VIGILANT,

sober, temperate

  1. abstaining from wine, either entirely or at least from its immoderate use
  2. of things free from all wine, as vessels, offerings

SOBER,

  1. of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses
  2. curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate

OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR,

well arranged, seemly, modest

GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY,

hospitable, generous to guests

APT TO TEACH;

apt and skilful in teaching

NOT GIVEN TO WINE,

Not a drunkard

NO STRIKER,

NOT…

  1. bruiser, ready for a blow
  2. a pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome person

NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE;

NOT eager for base gain, NOT greedy for money

BUT PATIENT,

  1. seeming, suitable
  2. equitable, fair, mild, gentle

NOT A BRAWLER,

  1. not to be withstood, invincible
  2. not contentious
  3. abstaining from fighting

NOT COVETOUS;

not loving money, not avaricious

ONE THAT RULETH WELL HIS OWN HOUSE,

having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Not newly planted

  1. Not a new convert, neophyte (one who has recently become a Christian)

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Although this is not an exhaustive list, it is definitely an eye opener for many

Shalom Love and Blessings