What is the definition of bishop?

Answer 1

A senior member of the Christian clergy, typically in charge of a diocese and empowered to confer holy orders. There are only three positions in church leadership that are defined by Scriptures in the New Testament. First you have is Deacons (those who serve, which are called to service in the church (helping the poor, logistical duties, etc.). Secondly is the order of Elders. Some churches have ruling elders (appointed only by the local church to help guide and lead that church) and teaching elders (called to teach , preach, and administer the sacraments). You should note that all of the higher offices above elder (minister, pastor, priest, etc) in the major denominations require that before they can be a bishop, they must first be ordained as a teaching elder. A bishop was originally meant to lead a particular city or area and have oversight of all the churches within that area. This is where the scriptures leave it, however, it was determined that some additional levels of teaching elder overseers were needed as the churches/denomination grew. Some churches, like the United Methodists, have a District Superintendent to supervise defined areas of a Bishop's area of responsibility. They over see the lower churches/congregations, and assist the Bishop in this role. The Roman Catholics have a added a rank title of Monsignor as a senior priest who is not yet a bishop. The Roman Catholics have also added the higher supervision levels of Archbishop who oversees several Bishop areas (diocese). A higher rank of priestly overseeing is added by the Cardinal's, who also oversee several dioceses. The Cardinals also are the only ones who can elect the next pope once the present pope is deceased. The Roman Catholic Pope (Prelate Bishop) is one of five prelate bishops in the early church (from the death of Jesus to approximately 300 years afterwards). The other prelate Bishops were based in Constantinople (present day Istanbul), Antioch (Syria), Jerusalem, and Alexandria (Egypt - destroyed great library when the Muslims conquers Egypt - however the Egyptians Copts have maintained Apostolic Succession of this branch of the church).