Jesus Christ is the absolute head of the church. He sets leaders in the church to enable the whole church to grow into maturity. Christ's authority in the church is acknowledged more by the church's obedience to God than through any particular form of government.

Colossians 1:18

Jesus Christ alone is head of the church

See also

Matthew 23:8-10
Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23
Colossians 2:19
Hebrews 3:3
Acts 13:2

The Holy Spirit directs the church

See also

Acts 15:28; 16:6-7; 20:28
Romans 8:14
1 Corinthians 12:11
Revelation 2:7,11
Ephesians 4:11

The appointment of leaders in the church

See also

God calls and equips leaders

Matthew 16:18
Acts 1:24-26; 9:15-16; 20:28; 26:16-18
1 Corinthians 12:28
Galatians 1:15-17
Acts 6:3-6; 14:23
Titus 1:5

Delegated leadership

Mark 3:13-19

The appointment of apostles

pp Mt 10:1-4

1 Corinthians 9:1-2

pp Lk 6:12-16

2 Corinthians 3:3

As founders of the church:

Ephesians 2:20
Revelation 21:14
Acts 2:42; 15:6,22-23
1 Thessalonians 2:6

As leaders of the church:

2 Peter 3:2
Jude 1:17
Acts 15:32

Prophets as leaders

See also

Acts 11:27-30; 13:1-2

Judas and Silas were leaders in the Jerusalem church (Ac 15:22).

Romans 12:6
1 Corinthians 12:28; 14:29-30
Ephesians 3:5

The role of prophets as leaders is distinct from the gift of prophecy, which was in principle available to all

Acts 21:8

See also

Evangelists as leaders

Ephesians 4:11
2 Timothy 4:5
Acts 20:28

See also

Pastors and teachers as leaders

John 21:15-17
Acts 13:1
Romans 12:7
1 Corinthians 12:28
1 Timothy 3:2
Titus 1:9
James 3:1
1 Peter 5:2
1 Timothy 3:1

Pastors are also called "shepherds".

Elders as leaders

See also

Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2,22; 20:17

"Elder" and "overseer" or "bishop" are more or less interchangeable.

1 Timothy 5:17
Titus 1:5
James 5:14
2 John 1:1
Philippians 1:1

Deacons as leaders

See also

Acts 6:5-6

"Deacon" means "one who serves".

1 Timothy 3:8
Acts 1:21-22; 10:41

Qualifications for church leadership

1 Corinthians 9:1-2; 15:7-8

The first apostles were witnesses of Jesus Christ's life and resurrection:

2 Peter 1:16
Acts 6:3
1 Timothy 3:1-12; 5:17

Qualifications for elders and deacons:

Titus 1:6-9
1 Peter 5:1-4
Romans 1:15

Responsibilities of church leaders

1 Corinthians 1:17

To preach the gospel

Galatians 2:8
Ephesians 3:8
1 Timothy 2:7
1 Timothy 4:6,13; 5:17
Hebrews 13:7

To teach sound doctrine

Acts 15:2,6,22-23; 16:4; 20:28-31
1 Timothy 5:17

To give direction in church life

1 Peter 5:2
Matthew 20:26-28

To be an example in loving service

Mark 9:35
John 13:13-15

pp Mk 10:43-45

Hebrews 13:7
1 Peter 5:3
Acts 14:23
1 Timothy 4:14

To train and appoint other leaders

2 Timothy 2:2
Titus 1:5
James 5:14

To pray for the sick

2 Corinthians 13:10
1 Thessalonians 5:12

To exercise discipline in the church

1 Timothy 1:20; 5:20
Titus 3:10
3 John 1:10
Acts 16:4

The church's responsibilities to its leaders

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

To respect and submit to its leaders

1 Timothy 5:19
Hebrews 13:17
Ephesians 6:19
1 Thessalonians 5:25

To pray for its leaders

1 Corinthians 9:7-14
Philippians 4:15-19

To support its leaders financially

1 Timothy 5:17-18
Acts 6:3-6

The corporate government of the church

In choosing leaders

Acts 15:22-29

In implementing decisions

Romans 12:4-8
1 Corinthians 12:4-12,27

In building up the church

Ephesians 4:3,7-16
1 Peter 4:10-11
1 John 4:1-3
2 John 1:10

In discerning true and false teachings

Revelation 2:2
Matthew 18:15-20
1 Corinthians 5:4-5

In exercising discipline

2 Corinthians 2:6-8
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
Acts 2:42

The structure of the church

See also

The pattern of church life

Acts 2:46; 5:42
Acts 1:13-14; 12:12; 16:40
Romans 16:5

The house church

1 Corinthians 16:19
Colossians 4:15
Philemon 1:2
Acts 13:1
Romans 16:1

The local church

1 Corinthians 1:2
1 Thessalonians 1:1

It is unknown whether there were subdivisions of the church in towns such as Corinth

Acts 9:31; 15:41
1 Corinthians 16:1

Churches in a region

2 Corinthians 8:1
Galatians 1:2,22
Revelation 1:4
Matthew 16:18

Normally the NT speaks of "churches" in an area rather than of a unified regional structure.

The universal church

1 Corinthians 12:28
Ephesians 1:22; 3:10; 5:25

Referring to the local as well as the universal church:

See also

2212 Jesus Christ, head of the church
3040 Holy Spirit, promise of
5217 authority, in the church
5327 governors
5746 youth
7706 apostles
7715 deacons
7720 elders in the church
7734 leaders, spiritual
7784 shepherd
7797 teaching
7939 ministry
8342 servanthood