[Greek] ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos), [Latin] episcopus, [German] bischof: overseer, bishop, guardian; Acts 20:28, Php.1:1, 1Tim.3:2, 1Pet.2:25
Bishop Ignatius of Antioch (30-108 A.D) was a disciple of the Apostle John.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term, used in both a religious and secular sense, means overseer, watcher, onlooker, protector, patron, god, officeholder, and govt. employee.
- Religious: the gods often provided protection for individuals, peoples, classes, and cities.
- Secular: merchants, govt. officials, scouts, spies, and watchers
Homer’s Iliad 22.254: “Let us call the gods to witness, for they shall be the best witnesses and guardian of our covenant.”
Plato’s Laws 6.762: “If any one of the officers themselves commits any such act, it will be proper for all the Sixty to keep an eye on him.”
Plato’s Laws 9.872: “Justice, the avenger of kindred blood, acting as overseer, employs the law and has ordained that the doer of such a deed must of necessity suffer the same.”
Old Testament: This term refers to God and man (supervisor).
- God: Judge of the ungodly, The One who sees in the heart and soul
- Man: governors, officers, temple supervisors, priest, Levites, guardians of morals and souls
New Testament: This term means overseer, bishop, and guardian.
- This term is closely related to a shepherd (keeping watch over the flock and souls).
- This term takes on greater significance as local congregations and communities settled down.
- Scripture illustrates the necessary qualities for a bishop. (1Tim.3:2, Tit.1:7)
- Pope Clement advances the doctrine that the bishops and deacons were instituted by the Apostles.
- The Didache, written around 50-70 A.D, also provides further insight on the offices of bishops and deacons.
Scripture:
Acts 20:28: “Keep watch over yourselves and over the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, in which you tend the Church of God.” (Paul was speaking to the Church leaders. The calling to become a bishop comes from the Holy Spirit.)
Php.1:1: “Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ, to all the holy ones in Christ who are in Philippi, with the overseers and ministers.” (Since the 2nd century, the overseer becomes the bishop who leads a local Church. In New Testament times, this office is not yet fully developed. Ministers later become known as deacons, servants, and attendants.)
1Pet.2:25: “For you have gone astray like sheep, but you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” (The office of bishop and shepherd are closely related.)
Catholic doctrine (teaching):
- The bishops are considered the successors of the Apostles.
- The bishops inherit the apostolic authority and ministry (preaching, governing, and ordaining).
- Paul told Timothy that many faithful witnesses are entrusted to teach others as well (2Tim.2:2)
Even questionable clergy (popes, cardinals, bishops, and priests) cannot stop the Holy Spirit from renewing Jesus’ Church.
Napoleon: “Are you not aware that I have the power to destroy the Catholic Church?”
Cardinal: “With all due respect, we clergy have done our best to destroy the Church for the last 1800 years. We have not succeeded, and neither will you.”
Didache (early Christian instruction manual (50-70 AD):
15.1 Therefore, APPOINT FOR YOURSELVES OVERSEERS AND DEACONS worthy of the Lord, men who are gentle and not lovers of money and truthful and well-proven, for to you they themselves also minister the ministry of the prophets and teachers.
First Letter of Clement to the Corinthians (96 AD):
42.4 Therefore, preaching among regions and cities, they appointed their first fruits, TESTING THEM BY THE SPIRIT TO BE BISHOPS AND DEACONS of the future believers⌋.5 And this is nothing new, for much time since then has been written about bishops and deacons. For somewhere the scripture says as follows: “I WILL APPOINT THEIR BISHOPS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THEIR IN DEACONS IN FAITH.”
Conclusion:
Episcopal, bishop
It is interesting to learn that there has always been secular overseers throughout history.
The New Testament introduces the notion that the bishop can be likened to a shepherd.
Update: Reality Check: Which is more plausible?
- Jesus established only one Church and made provisions for (the succession of bishops) to allow for His Church to continue forever.
- Jesus has allowed and permitted over 45,000 churches and denominations to exist. But these churches and denominations
- DO NOT convey the same message!
All bishops are called to heed Paul’s warnings to be good bishops and shepherds. Yet the Church unfortunately continues to have questionable clergy (popes, cardinals, bishops, and priests). Perhaps that is why Jesus chose Judas in the first place. TO ALWAYS WARN US THAT THERE WILL BE QUESTIONABLE CLERGY!
From Vatican II to Synodality, the laity has seen multiple instances of questionable clergy. This has probably in part contributed to the Holy Spirit-inspired lay movement to bring back Tradition and reverence. In contrast, Synodality seeks to move away from Tradition.
More and more laity are now seeing the problems and consequences of the Church becoming entrenched in the world.
The younger generations of seminarians, priests, sisters, and nuns are also reacting against the older Modernist, Synodalist, and progressive clergy and pant-suit wearing nuns (who also look like your grandmother).
These younger generation of clergy and nuns/sisters have become more traditional and conservative. These younger people, wearing the habit, seek to show their separation from the secular world.
“I do not think there are many among bishops that will be saved, but many more that perish.” St. John Chrysosotom
“No man can be a good bishop if he loves his title but not his task.” St. Augustine