For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. (Titus 1:5-9)

An Elder Is A Bishop

Titus is not mentioned in the book of Acts, which covers much of Paul’s ministry throughout the Roman Empire. Paul mentions him in three of his letters (2 Corinthians, Galatians, and 2 Timothy) and includes a letter to Titus. When Paul left Crete, he left Titus there to set in order things lacking in the churches of Crete. One of the main goals of Paul was for Titus to establish the New Testament church according to the pattern given to them by the Holy Spirit. As the early church grew, there were growing pains as the saints came to understand the role of the church, its leadership, authority, and pattern established by the Holy Spirit. Titus was there in Crete to put those things together.

Every church is lacking something. One of the most needful things for the churches in Crete was the establishment of men to be elders or bishops. Paul and Barnabas had gone throughout Asia Minor appointing elders in every church. This would be a constant pattern for Paul to establish the church as God wanted it to be. Paul wrote to Timothy, instructing him about the role of those who would be called bishops. Specific qualities are given to Timothy and Titus about the men who would shepherd the local flock of God’s people. These were not ordinary men in many ways, as they had to be married, fathers, men of good character, and examples to all. Their role was to lead the local church to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and care for each member. They were called elders, bishops, shepherds, overseers, and pastors.

An elder and a bishop (overseer) are the same thing. These men hold a leadership role in the local church to tend and care for the souls in their care. They are not exalted men wearing flowing robes of distinction. The world has perverted the idea of a bishop to be a person of exalted stature who exercises authority over a diocese, including several churches. Nothing is further from the truth. There is never a record in the New Testament of a bishop being anything but an elder who shepherds one local congregation. He must meet the qualities of character shown to Timothy and Titus. Any deviation from this is an error and false doctrine.

Many people often mistakenly call a preacher a pastor. This is another term that religious groups have perverted. A pastor is an elder or bishop who has followed the guidelines of scripture shown to Timothy and Titus. Preachers are not pastors. On a few occasions, a preacher may become an elder, bishop, or pastor if he is following the model set forth by the Holy Spirit, but the general use of calling a preacher a pastor is misapplying scripture. It should be noted that calling a man “Reverend” is an affront to the name of God. The only time “reverend” is used in scripture; it denotes the name of God.

Names are important. The religious world is free with the use of names that are not found in the Bible. Misapplying roles of the church is an egregious insult to the character of God because it flies in the face of His holy word. Honest Bible students will hold accountable those who misuse scripture. An elder is a bishop. A pastor is an elder. He oversees one flock as a shepherd. His qualities are in line with what Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus. Any deviation from this is not the New Testament church. Does it make a difference? It matters to God, and it should matter to you.