Are Bishops (Overseers) the same as Presbyters (Elders)?

Working through Ch. 14 of The Lord’s Service and the Ecclesiology of Ministers. As Anglicans, we disagree with Meyer’s presbyterian form of government. Here’s a our video from our study at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church.

Notes: CAPTAINS AND COURTS (A BIBLICAL DEFENSE OF EPISCOPAL GOVERNMENT) by the Rev. Dr. Ray R. Sutton https://www.stevemacias.com/wp-conten…

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans Ch.8:

“See that you all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”

John Calvin’s (erroneous) rejection of Ignatius:

“With regard to what they pretend as to Ignatius, if they would have it to be of the least importance, let them prove that the apostles enacted laws concerning Lent, and other corruptions. Nothing can be more nauseating, than the absurdities which have been published under the name of Ignatius; and therefore, the conduct of those who provide themselves with such masks for deception is the less entitled to toleration.”(Institutes, Book I, Chapter 13, Section 29)

Lightfoot’s presbyterian position that Overseer/Bishop is the same as the Presbyter/Elder is from “Essay on the Christian Ministry”:

“It has been shown that in the apostolic writings the two are only different designations of one and the same office.” (pg. 192)

What About Jerome?

Jerome, Commentary on Titus 1:7

“The presbyter is the same as the bishop, and before parties had been raised up in religion by the provocations of Satan, the churches were governed by the Senate of the presbyters…”

Jerome is a post-Nicene father, answering the question of whether deacons are equal to presbyters – but here’s the answer in our context: Jerome also tells us that the power of ordination can only belong to the bishop. Therefore Jerome thinks that in his present age, a bishop and a presbyter are not identical. The question that then needs to be addressed is “when and by whom did this change come about?” Apparently, Jerome identifies the source of the change with the Apostles. For he thinks that the present, fixed character of the tri-fold ministry (where bishops have a power that presbyters don’t–ordination, as he stated earlier in the letter) is “handed down by the Apostles”.

Steve Macias

Reformed Episcopal Priest. Rector at Saint Paul’s & Headmaster at Canterbury School.

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Are Bishops (Overseers) the same as Presbyters (Elders)?

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