History and Etymology for "archbishop."
Middle English, from Old English arcebiscop, from Late Latin archiepiscopus, from Late Greek archiepiskopos, from archi- + episkopos bishop (Miriam Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archbishop).
1 Timothy 3:2 - A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,- (New American Standard Version (1995).
A minister then must be a man of irreproachable character, true to his one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved, hospitable to strangers, and with a gift for teaching; (Weymouth Bible).
Did the word "bishop" and "archbishop" come from Catholic Church? It is both Latin and Catholic in origin. remember it's not included in the five fold ministry of (Ephesians 4;11), the ministries which God gave to the church and is it a catholic definition for "elder" or "overseer?' I think so. Here's my thought. Why do we use catholic terms to describe ministers when at the same time we deny the catholic doctrine of the trinity, which is also catholic. Isn't mixture an abomination? Just a though!
Think too of the development of the words "laity" and "ministry". the laity were considered the unlearned and ignorant those who were not educated enough to make a "profession" out fo the ministry. so we have a division between the professions of one believer and the profession of another However in the New Testament all who were disciples were "ministers". The word "minister" was a reference to those who had a ministry, which we allhace a ministry of rciciliation, a spiritual gift, the ability to edify exhort and encourage. Its only when the church catholicised itself did it begin to designate the upper calls ( those who were professionals) and those who were laity.
It was the Catholic church that token the title "priest" to refer to those who exercised authority over others. where in scriptures declare we are all priests unto God. Makes me thing why do we run to have others lay hands on us in every service and pout blessings over us? Serious, do we not know out position in Christ! Let those who love the pre-emInance get off their high horse and serve without titles. TITLES DONT GIVE YOU PRIVILEDGE titles magnify the flesh and lifts a mans ego. Isn't it time we renounce mixture and Exalated Jesus!
Your servant
Paul.
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