Original collection
Organization of the Church
Christ is Head of His church. In local congregations qualified elders/bishops shepherd and oversee the flock, deacons serve, evangelists preach, teachers teach, and all members serve. First-century apostles and prophets held foundational revelatory roles. Congregational worship is to be conducted unto edifying, peaceably, decently, and in order.
Key KJV Scriptures:
Philippians 1:1; Acts 20:17,28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Ephesians 2:20; 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 14:26,33,40
Key KJV Scriptures: Full Text
31 indexed verses · Showing 1–31. Read each passage in its chapter context.
Acts 20:17 (KJV)
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
Acts 20:28 (KJV)
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Corinthians 14:26 (KJV)
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV)
Let all things be done decently and in order.
Ephesians 2:20 (KJV)
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Ephesians 4:11 (KJV)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Ephesians 4:12 (KJV)
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Ephesians 4:13 (KJV)
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Ephesians 4:14 (KJV)
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Ephesians 4:15 (KJV)
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Ephesians 4:16 (KJV)
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Philippians 1:1 (KJV)
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
1 Timothy 3:1 (KJV)
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 Timothy 3:2 (KJV)
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1 Timothy 3:3 (KJV)
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1 Timothy 3:4 (KJV)
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1 Timothy 3:5 (KJV)
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1 Timothy 3:6 (KJV)
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:7 (KJV)
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:8 (KJV)
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
1 Timothy 3:9 (KJV)
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 3:10 (KJV)
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
1 Timothy 3:11 (KJV)
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
1 Timothy 3:12 (KJV)
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
1 Timothy 3:13 (KJV)
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Titus 1:5 (KJV)
For 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:
Titus 1:6 (KJV)
If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
Titus 1:7 (KJV)
For 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;
Titus 1:8 (KJV)
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Titus 1:9 (KJV)
Holding 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.