Bishops in the Holy Bible

The term "bishop" is interchangeable in scripture and synonymous with two other terms: "elder" and "overseer." In the Holy Bible, a plurality of bishops along with deacons are to shepherd the flock in each city. A group of men, with no one man exalted over another, but who are brothers in the Lord, accountable one to another and to the saints.

A few things that bishops are not:

Bishops/elders/overseers are not sex offenders.

Bishops, elders or overseers are not forbidden to marry.

Bishops are not to be called father.

Bishops are not instructed to dress in effeminate garb, apparel, jewelry or to dawn crowns.

The Holy Bible does give us unequivocal requirements for a man who desires to serve as a bishop/elder/overseer.

Paul, the apostle in I Corinthians 14:37 states:

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Then Paul in II Cor 13:1 says:

1This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Below are two different books of the bible, two witnesses that define biblical bishopricks:

In the Book of 1st Timothy, Paul, the Apostle told Timothy:

1This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. I Timothy 3:1-7

And in Titus, Chapter 1 Paul tells Titus:

5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1