1 Timothy 3

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. Qualified to Lead: A Deep Study of Elder Requirements Church Government Elder and Deacon Qualifications The Pastoral Epistles

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Qualified to Lead: A Deep Study of Elder Requirements Church Government Elder and Deacon Qualifications The Pastoral Epistles

Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; Qualified to Lead: A Deep Study of Elder Requirements Church Government Elder and Deacon Qualifications The Pastoral Epistles

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; Qualified to Lead: A Deep Study of Elder Requirements Church Government Elder and Deacon Qualifications The Pastoral Epistles

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Qualified to Lead: A Deep Study of Elder Requirements Church Government Elder and Deacon Qualifications The Pastoral Epistles

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Qualified to Lead: A Deep Study of Elder Requirements Church Government Elder and Deacon Qualifications The Pastoral Epistles

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Qualified to Lead: A Deep Study of Elder Requirements Church Government Elder and Deacon Qualifications The Pastoral Epistles

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Elder and Deacon Qualifications

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Elder and Deacon Qualifications

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Elder and Deacon Qualifications

Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Elder and Deacon Qualifications

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Elder and Deacon Qualifications

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. Elder and Deacon Qualifications

These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. The Councils and Creeds Comparing the Manuscripts