Church leadership, or hierarchy
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When we read the Disciples of John, the Beloved, like Polycarp, Ignatius, Papias, and Others, they make clear that John was over them. And they were the Preachers correcting the Warning given to John about the 7 Churches in Chapters 1 and 2 of Revelation.
John, was Bishop, and over Ephesus, and over his Disciples, who were over the other 6 Churches.
There's always One who is Leader and making Disciples of Others.
John, was Bishop, and over Ephesus, and over his Disciples, who were over the other 6 Churches.
There's always One who is Leader and making Disciples of Others.
Wasn't it Peter who made the decision to draw straws to choose Mattias and Peter who responded to the crowd in Act's Chapter 2 and Peter doing most of the Preaching in much of Acts, including Speaking for the Holy Spirit [you LIED to the Holy Spirit] until Paul shows up?
the other 11 Disciples were there, but, it was Peter, doing most of the works.
the other 11 Disciples were there, but, it was Peter, doing most of the works.
Glad it helped!
Here is an excerpt from a book I have on Biblical Eldership:
"The principle of “first among equals” is observed first in our Lord’s dealings with the twelve apostles. Jesus chose twelve apostles, all of whom He empowered to preach and heal, but He singled out three for special attention—Peter, James, and John (“first ones among equals”). Among the three, as well as among the Twelve, Peter stood out as the most prominent (“first among equals”). Consider the following facts:
• Among the twelve apostles, Peter, James, John, and sometimes Andrew are “first ones among equals.” On key occasions Jesus chose only Peter, James, and John to accompany Him to witness His power, glory, and agony (Luke 8:51; 9:28; Mark 14:33).
• Among the three, as well as the Twelve, Peter is unquestionably first among his equals. In all four lists of the apostles’ names, Peter’s name is first (Matt. 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:14–16; Acts 1:13). Matthew actually refers to Peter as “the first” p 46 (Matt. 10:2). By calling Peter “the first,” Matthew means “first among his equals.” We must not, in reaction to Roman Catholicism’s mistaken elevation of Peter, underestimate Peter’s outstanding leadership among the Twelve. The Gospel writers don’t.
• In all four Gospels, Peter is indisputably the prominent figure among the Twelve. Outside of Jesus, Peter is mentioned most often as speaking and acting. If you doubt this, look up the name Peter in a Bible concordance, then look up the names of the other apostles. You will immediately see Peter’s prominence among the Twelve in the four Gospels and in Acts.
• Jesus charged Peter to “strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). Jesus acknowledged Peter as first among his brothers, the natural leader and motivator. He knew that they would need Peter’s leadership to help them through the dark days immediately following their Lord’s departure.
• The book of Acts richly demonstrates Peter’s leadership. Among the Twelve who jointly shared the leadership of the first church (Acts 2:14, 42; 4:33, 35; 5:12, 18, 25, 29, 42; 6:2–6; 8:14; 9:27; 15:2–29), Peter is the chief spokesman and natural leader throughout the first twelve chapters of Acts (Acts 1:15; 2:14; 3:1 ff; 4:8 ff; 5:3 ff; 5:15, 29; 8:14–24; 9:32–11:18; 12:3 ff; 15:7–11; Gal. 2:7–14). Some scholars even divide the book of Acts according to its two central figures: the acts of Peter (Acts 1–12) and the acts of Paul (Acts 13–28). Many sound, evangelical Bible commentators interpret Christ’s statement in Matthew 16:18 to mean that Peter is the rock and that upon him Christ would build His Church (but not exclusively upon him according to other passages such as Ephesians 2:20). They view the book of Acts as the record of that promise fulfilled (especially Acts 10:1–11:18).
• In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Paul speaks of James, Peter, and John as the acknowledged “pillars” of the church in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:9; see also Gal. 2:7, 8).
As the natural leader, the chief speaker, the man of action, Peter challenged, energized, strengthened, and ignited the group. Without p 47 Peter, the group would have been less effective. When surrounded by eleven other apostles who were his equals, Peter became stronger, more balanced, and was protected from his impetuous nature and his fears. In spite of his outstanding leadership and speaking ability, Peter possessed no legal or official rank or title above the other eleven. They were not his subordinates. They were not his staff or team of assistants. He wasn’t the apostles’ “seniorpastor.” Peter was simply first among his equals, and that by our Lord’s own approval."
Strauch, Alexander. 1995. Biblical Eldership. Littleton, CO: Lewis and Roth Publishers.
Here is an excerpt from a book I have on Biblical Eldership:
"The principle of “first among equals” is observed first in our Lord’s dealings with the twelve apostles. Jesus chose twelve apostles, all of whom He empowered to preach and heal, but He singled out three for special attention—Peter, James, and John (“first ones among equals”). Among the three, as well as among the Twelve, Peter stood out as the most prominent (“first among equals”). Consider the following facts:
• Among the twelve apostles, Peter, James, John, and sometimes Andrew are “first ones among equals.” On key occasions Jesus chose only Peter, James, and John to accompany Him to witness His power, glory, and agony (Luke 8:51; 9:28; Mark 14:33).
• Among the three, as well as the Twelve, Peter is unquestionably first among his equals. In all four lists of the apostles’ names, Peter’s name is first (Matt. 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:14–16; Acts 1:13). Matthew actually refers to Peter as “the first” p 46 (Matt. 10:2). By calling Peter “the first,” Matthew means “first among his equals.” We must not, in reaction to Roman Catholicism’s mistaken elevation of Peter, underestimate Peter’s outstanding leadership among the Twelve. The Gospel writers don’t.
• In all four Gospels, Peter is indisputably the prominent figure among the Twelve. Outside of Jesus, Peter is mentioned most often as speaking and acting. If you doubt this, look up the name Peter in a Bible concordance, then look up the names of the other apostles. You will immediately see Peter’s prominence among the Twelve in the four Gospels and in Acts.
• Jesus charged Peter to “strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). Jesus acknowledged Peter as first among his brothers, the natural leader and motivator. He knew that they would need Peter’s leadership to help them through the dark days immediately following their Lord’s departure.
• The book of Acts richly demonstrates Peter’s leadership. Among the Twelve who jointly shared the leadership of the first church (Acts 2:14, 42; 4:33, 35; 5:12, 18, 25, 29, 42; 6:2–6; 8:14; 9:27; 15:2–29), Peter is the chief spokesman and natural leader throughout the first twelve chapters of Acts (Acts 1:15; 2:14; 3:1 ff; 4:8 ff; 5:3 ff; 5:15, 29; 8:14–24; 9:32–11:18; 12:3 ff; 15:7–11; Gal. 2:7–14). Some scholars even divide the book of Acts according to its two central figures: the acts of Peter (Acts 1–12) and the acts of Paul (Acts 13–28). Many sound, evangelical Bible commentators interpret Christ’s statement in Matthew 16:18 to mean that Peter is the rock and that upon him Christ would build His Church (but not exclusively upon him according to other passages such as Ephesians 2:20). They view the book of Acts as the record of that promise fulfilled (especially Acts 10:1–11:18).
• In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Paul speaks of James, Peter, and John as the acknowledged “pillars” of the church in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:9; see also Gal. 2:7, 8).
As the natural leader, the chief speaker, the man of action, Peter challenged, energized, strengthened, and ignited the group. Without p 47 Peter, the group would have been less effective. When surrounded by eleven other apostles who were his equals, Peter became stronger, more balanced, and was protected from his impetuous nature and his fears. In spite of his outstanding leadership and speaking ability, Peter possessed no legal or official rank or title above the other eleven. They were not his subordinates. They were not his staff or team of assistants. He wasn’t the apostles’ “seniorpastor.” Peter was simply first among his equals, and that by our Lord’s own approval."
Strauch, Alexander. 1995. Biblical Eldership. Littleton, CO: Lewis and Roth Publishers.
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Agreed!
But clearly, the other Elders, know they are not getting a Word from God, like the spokesperson of the Group.
What we read Peter do all throughout his Ministry, the others did not have the Holy Spirit leading them to do as Peter, when they were with Peter.
Later, we see John doing what Peter did as Bishop of Ephesus with his own Disciples/Elders.
In view of that, only God was urging the ONE to step up and talk.
And that is my specific point I have been attempting to make.
But clearly, the other Elders, know they are not getting a Word from God, like the spokesperson of the Group.
What we read Peter do all throughout his Ministry, the others did not have the Holy Spirit leading them to do as Peter, when they were with Peter.
Later, we see John doing what Peter did as Bishop of Ephesus with his own Disciples/Elders.
In view of that, only God was urging the ONE to step up and talk.
And that is my specific point I have been attempting to make.