Episkopos (bishop or overseer) and presbuteros (elder) are both terms applied to the same office. So there are only two offices found in the NT - elders (who are also pastors and bishops) and deacons (who handle the temporal affairs of the church). But shortly after the apostles passed on the office of bishop was created to oversee the elders, and thus the episcopacy was created (and thus the Episcopalian church). But the Bible speaks of a "presbytery" which is a council of elders within a local church. Even Presbyterian churches departed from this and the denominations created a presbytery above that within the church (which is not scriptural, just as denominations are not). But the majority of evangelical and fundamental churches have departed from the NT pattern.
(bishop or overseer) and presbuteros (elder) are both terms applied to the same office.
Do you have an example of this? I'm currently not aware of any. My main text being,
1 Timothy 3
English Standard Version
3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer[
a] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,[
b] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
This is an office position. The word he is gendered and singular.
There are some minor differences for the office of deacon.
1 Timothy 3:8-11
English Standard Version
8
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,[
a] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11
Their wives likewise[
b] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
Deacons and their seem to indicate more than one. Their wives seem to indicate a gender position. I say seem because there is also evidence of a female Deaconess listed by Paul as well.
Their is no evidence for a female overseer so I'm quite confident that position is only male.
Anyways maybe you can provide insight on Elder and Overseer being the same. Now I agree that an elder may assume the role of Overseer. But at this point I do not see them as the same.
So there are only two offices found in the NT - elders (who are also pastors and bishops) and deacons (who handle the temporal affairs of the church). But shortly after the apostles passed on the office of bishop was created to oversee the elders, and thus the episcopacy was created (and thus the Episcopalian church). But the Bible speaks of a "presbytery" which is a council of elders within a local church. Even Presbyterian churches departed from this and the denominations created a presbytery above that within the church (which is not scriptural, just as denominations are not). But the majority of evangelical and fundamental churches have departed from the NT pattern.
I see three words with different descriptions. An Overseer, Deacon, Elder.
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