Bible Verses About Linus And Early Church Leadership

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Directly says elders were appointed in every church.

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;

Qualification for bishop/overseer office.

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

Names the overseer office as a noble task.

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Shows ordination by laying on of hands.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Shows elders who rule well in the church.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Commands flock oversight by church leaders.

For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

Uses the term bishopric in apostolic context.

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

Overseer qualifications in the pastoral letters.

Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Only direct Bible verse naming Linus.

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.

Direct New Testament oversight language for church leaders.

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:

Explicit command to ordain elders in every city.

Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Lists church offices in the body.

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Shows laying on of hands in setting leaders apart.

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Shows bishops and deacons together in a church greeting.

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Bible text on authoritative exhortation

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

Shows received apostolic traditions.

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Bible text on apostolic foundation of the church

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.