ECCLESIOLOGY

Chrysler V. Baniqued Date: November 20, 2023

Configuration II Rev. Fr. Arvin V. Soriano
Written Report:
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OFFICES IN THE CHURCH
Outline:
I. Introduction
II. Historical Background
A. Biblical Foundation: Origin of the Office in the Church and its Relationship to the
Old and New Testament
B. Jesus established the Church
C. The Early Church in Acts: The Nativity of the Church

III. Different Stages of Development

IV. Nature: Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church
A. Bishop
a. Pope
b. Cardinals
c. Patriarchs
d. Archbishops
e. Bishops
B. Priest
C. Deacon
V. Conclusion

I. Introduction

The Catholic Church is like a simplest living cell. As they said, nothing is more highly
organized in the natural world that the simplest living cell. 1 The church is more than an office
or organization; it is a living organism, it is a true religion founded by Jesus Christ who is
the head of the church is Jesus Christ who nourishes the church, giving it spiritual life.2
Jesus Christ Himself is the head of the body who is the first priest who sacrifices Himself in
the eucharistic and sacramental life of the Church. For this reason, it is very important not to see
the offices in the Church as a mere contrast, of functions, functions which developed, early
perhaps, but still one after another. Christ’s office, which unfolds itself in the threefold form of
teacher, priest, and pastor, has found its unified, always living and effective expression in a

1
Johann Auer and Joseph Ratzinger, Dogmatic Theology: The Church. The Universal Sacrament of
Salvation. (Washington, DC: The Catholic University of American Press, 1993), 149.

2
Ibid., 148.

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single functional office, in the office of the twelve apostles and their successors. St. Paul, in his
letter in 1 Corinthians 12:28 stated that, “God has appointed certain individuals in the church,
including apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles and those with gifts of healing,
guidance, and various tongues.”

II. Historical Background

A. Biblical Foundation: Origin of the Office in the Church and its Relationship to the
Old and New Testament

From of old, God assigned particular people to serve Him, his temple and his people. One of
this is the priestly tribe of Levites. Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel and were
given duties in the service of the tabernacle --though only those of Aaron’s line were technically
“priest” the first-born. The role of Levites as “guards” is seen throughout the book of Numbers
“And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony.” 3 In the other view, there
are significant parallels in the language used for Adam’s duty in the Garden and the Levites’ duty
in the tabernacle. Just as God put Adam in the Garden to “work and keep” it,(Genesis 2:15)4 the
Levites were told to “work” and “keep” the sanctuary of the tabernacle/temple.”5 The
Hebrew ‫עבד‬, avad (“to work”) and ‫ׁשמר‬, shamar (“to keep”) can also be translated
“serve/minister” and “guard,” respectively. And Yahweh God took the man and put him in the
Garden of Eden to serve it and guard it [‫( ]ְלָעְבָ֖ד ּה ּוְלָׁש ְמָֽר ּה‬Genesis 2:15). And they [the Levites]
shall guard [‫ ]ְוָׁש ְמ ֗ר ּו‬all the furnishings of the tent of meeting and guard [‫ ]ִמ ְׁש ֶ֖מ ֶר ת‬the sons of
Israel as they serve [‫ ]ַלֲעֹ֖ב ד ֶא ת־ֲע ֹבַ֥ד ת‬the tabernacle (Numbers 3:8)6 Now, Levites lineage could
we had seen as the one who served the Church, our Priests. With their own offices and nature
they ought to serve and minister the flock of God the Most High. They are the “guardian” of the
Tabernacle to keep it because the One whom they served is Holy.
Going back to Genesis 12, wherein the idea of the “church” was made, however the word
itself is not found in the whole Chapter of Genesis 12. In tradition, they began to see the idea
of “church” in building the idea of a particular group of people set apart by God for his
own purposes. This is not the beginning of the Church, but it is the birth cannot be divorced
from the words which God spoke to Abraham when God said, “I will make of you a great
nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great so that you will be a blessing.” 7 It is
here that we are introduced to God’s intention to gather to Himself a particular people who
will represent Him as His vicar in the world. The phrase, “So that you will be a blessing,” is
3
Numbers 1:53

4
“Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and tend it”.
5
Genesis 2:15; Numbers 3:7-8, 8:26, 18:5-6

6
Zachary Garis, The Levites—A Class of Warrior-Priests: Commentaries. Retrieved November 2, 2023
from https://knowingscripture.com/articles/levites-class-of-warrior-priests.

7
Genesis 12: 2

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not merely a statement about what will be, it is an imperative statement about what must be. God
is saying to Abraham that his descendants are to be a blessing to those around them. God Himself
and His power to all nations through plagues, miracles, and other great signs. But when God set
out to demonstrate His nature, character, and message, He purposed to accomplish this through a
community of people. The greater context of Scripture confirms this through the prophet Isaiah
when he says, “I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the
hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open
the eyes of the blind, to bring our prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those
who live in darkness.”8
From the Old Testament, the New Testament opens with the Lord Jesus Himself, echoing the
same purpose of the Father from of old. In Matthew 5: 13-14, 9 clearly speaks of the disciples’
influence and impact in the world. The word “church” has yet to be used in the Bible, but
allusions to God’s people participating in God’s mission saturate each page of Scripture, and
though many questions need to be answered, the one regarding the direction and movement of
God’s people could not be clearer. From Abraham to Jesus, God’s people are always portrayed as
a people moving outward to bless others as they faithfully bear witness to the presence of Christ
and His kingdom. This movement will come into sharper focus with each turn of the page and
will set the stage for us to recognize the Church when she is born and to understand the objective
for which she (Church) was created.
It is in Matthew 16:18 says, "κἀγὼ δέ σοι λέγω ὅτι σὺ εἶ Πέτρος καὶ ἐπὶ ταύτῃ τῇ πέτρᾳ
οἰκοδομήσω μου τὴν ἐκκλησίαν καὶ πύλαι ᾅδου οὐ κατισχύσουσιν αὐτῆς." In English translation
was "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."10 That is the first encounter of the word,
“church,” which in the original Greek is the word, ekklesia. It will help us to know that this word
was not a uniquely Christian word in the time of Jesus. In the common language of that day, the
word (church) simply referred to a public assembly. But certainly, the church is more than a
public assembly. When Jesus spoke to Peter and announced to him that He would “build his
church and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” 11 This gathered assembly would not be like
any other, it would be the very embodiment of the Lord Jesus Himself, and it would be nothing
less than the assembled community of saints whom He would redeem through His sinless life,
death, burial, and resurrection (1 Timothy 1:15). This ekklesia would become the very instrument
through which the Spirit of Christ would further and complete the mission of God to extend his

8
Isaiah 42: 6-7

9
“You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.”

10
Stack Exchange, Biblical Hermeneutic: “In Matthew 16:18, how should “ekklesia” be translated and
understood? Retrieved November 4, 2023 from https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/54140/in-
matthew-1618-how-should-ekklesia-be-translated-and-understood.

11
Matthew 16:18

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rule and reign into every part of creation until the earth is “filled with the knowledge of the glory
of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” 12

B. Jesus established the Church

In the Acts of the Apostles the ascended Christ addressed his disciples. 13 St. Luke tells us that
the topic of Jesus’ last words before His departure was the same that was on His lips at the
beginning of His public life: The kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). 14 Christ did not come to earth to
merely announce the coming of the kingdom of God. His coming was the signal that the
kingdom had arrived in the person of Christ. The long-awaited kingdom, which had been
spoken of by the prophets, was now a present reality.15
The gospel writer tells us that Jesus commences His redemptive objective by quoting the
prophet Isaiah and then announcing this varying claim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand”16 The Kingdom of God was the central and dominant teaching of Jesus from the first day
He opened His mouth to teach. However, with careful evaluation, one will see that the kingdom
rule and reign of our God has been the dominant theme of the Bible since the garden, “Then God
said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in
the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the
creatures that move along the ground” (Genesis 1:26-28). It has always been God’s intention to
saturate creation with His glory by reigning and ruling through a people of His own choosing.
This is what Peter meant when he said, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellences of Him

12
Habakkuk 2:14

13
“So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to
Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and
in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went,
behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?
This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.””
(Acts 1:6-11)

14
The ascension marks the departure of Jesus from His disciples in this world and His entrance into the
realm of God. In this, He is exalted to supreme authority over the whole creation in his mediatorial capacity as the
incarnate Son of God. From Luke 24: 50-51 “And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he
blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.”

15
This passage in the Book of Acts 1:3, represents the role of a prophet: the one who has a mission to
proclaim the Kingdom of God. In our time, a prophet is not the one described in the scriptures who are seera and
visionaries but they are the ministers of the Church—the priest. The priests are evangelizers and proclaimers of
God’s word, who proclaims the Kingdom of God to the world.
16
Matthew 4:16-17

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who called you”17 On the Mount of Olives Jesus’ disciples stand gazing into the clouds stunned
by what they’ve just witnessed and maybe more stunned by what they’ve just heard. Christ
promises, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my
witnesses even to the remotest part of the earth.”18

C. The Early Church in Acts: The Nativity of the Church

The nativity of the development of the offices of the Church begins when the Holy
Spirit fell upon the 120 disciples in the upper room on the day of Pentecost.19 The ministry of
the church also began on this same day when St. Peter rose up and spoke the Word that resulted
in three thousand people being saved and baptized (Acts 2:14-36) 20. The day of Pentecost was at
hand, and the obedient disciples were praying and waiting as the Lord had instructed. What was
about to happen would change the world and history as we know it.“The room where they were
gathered was shaken and filled with the Spirit21 in much the same way as they themselves would
be filled with the Spirit”22
And not unlike God’s purpose to fill the world with His own presence. At this moment, a
birth had occurred. God filling Adam’s lungs with the breath of life, the Holy Spirit, on the day
of Pentecost, breathed the same breath into the Church and it became a living, breathing
organism brought about for the purpose of bearing witness to the kingdom of God.
By the virtue of the Holy Spirit, St. Peter given an authority to preach the Word and
evangelize the people. This act of St. Peter then, is a divinely called and spiritually ordained
ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of the leading the
church:23 Never has it been more important than now for those of us who identify as Christ-
followers to inform again ourselves with the biblical identity and purpose of the church, and the
best way to do that is to revisit often the very birth of the Church so that the Holy Spirit might
refocus and empower us to be the instrument which we were intended to be.

17
1 Peter 2:9

18
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

19
Acts 1:8 (Jerusalem Bible)

20
“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaim to them, “You who are Jews, indeed
all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words”.

21
Acts 2:2

22
Acts 2:4

23
The threefold purpose of leading the Church ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ: evangelization of the
world (Mark 16:15-20), worship of God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24), and in building a body of saints being
perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4: 11-16).

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 III. The Timeline of Development of the Offices in the Church

In biblical context, the stages of the development begins when St. Paul introduces various
offices as Christ’s gifts by quoting “When He ascended on high, He led captives in His train and
gave gifts to men” (Psalm 68:18). Then, the gifts given to men are apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors and teachers.24 Before the identity of a pope, bishop, priest, deacons a prior
called for them was an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and ministers. These four-fold form is
the unfold Christ’ offices itself. Pope is also an apostles, same as true with the bishop and priest.
All of these offices, prophet, evangelist, pastor, minister were same performed by the Pope,
bishop and priest, and later on for those who are under the seminary formation and soon to
become a priest. It was the same offices but differ in their functions. The same offices as a priest
because, pope, bishop, and priest, share into one common priesthood of Jesus Christ by the virtue
of their ordination.
Prophets, according to the uniform teaching of the Bible, the prophet is a speaker of or
for God. The words of prophets are not the production of their own spirit but come from a higher
source. The prophet is, at the same time, a seer, who sees things that do not lie in the domain of
natural sight, or who hears things that human ears do not ordinarily receive. In Samuel 9:9,
prophets are also called seer or speakers are synonymous. Prophets are those in the apostolic
church who have a special ministry of inspired utterance. While the apostles and evangelists took
the gospel to the unregenerate world, the prophets exercised an edifying ministry to the various
churches. For example, Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets said much to encourage
and strengthen the brethren (Acts 15:32). Prophets have seen that which they prophesy, although
they need not have seen it in the form of a real vision. They can also “see” words with their inner
eyes (Isaiah 2:1) This is an expression used to refer to moments in Scriptures where God has
spoken to the prophet.
Apostles is a delegate, specifically an ambassador of the Gospel. An official
commissioner of Christ. Ambassadors sent with a mission. The Apostles have the unique
responsibility of establishing the church and building it through the Word of God. This ministry
also includes the planting of churches. The apostolic function is similar to the task of the pioneer
missionary today. The Apostles are called to influence and impact cities and nations with the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. We see this pattern in the early church that whenever the apostles stepped
into cities, they influenced the entire city.
Evangelist. This is a form of the word ordinarily translated as “gospel” it designates one
who announces that gospel to others, “a bringer of good tidings” 25. In that sense, God Himself is

24
Ephesians 4:11

25
The organization of the Roman Catholic Church: The 3 Tier Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church:
Pope, Bishop, Priests. Retrieved October 3, 2023 from https://www.bible.ca/catholic-church-hierarchy-
organization.htm.

6|Page
an evangelist, for He preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham (Gal 3:8); Jesus Christ was
an evangelist, for He also preached the gospel (Luke 20:1); Paul was an evangelist as well as an
apostle (Rom 1:15); Philip the deacon was an evangelist (Act 21:8); and Timothy, the pastor (2
Ti 4:5); and indeed all the early disciples who, on being driven out of Jerusalem, went
everywhere preaching the word (Act 8:4). But in Eph 4:11, teaches that one order of the ministry
– distinguished from every other – is singled out by the Head of the church for this work in a
distinctive sense. All may possess the gift of an evangelist in a measure, and be obligated to
exercise its privilege and duty, but some are specifically endued with it. He gave some to be
apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. The
evangelist has no fixed place of ministry, but moves about in different localities preaching the
gospel. As unbelievers come to the saving knowledge and are united to Jesus Christ by faith, the
work of the pastor and teacher begins to instruct them further in the things of Christ and build
them up in the faith.
Pastor. The term “pastor” can also be translated as “shepherds.” Bishop and Priest are
pastors. Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd who gathers the flock, cares for them, knows
them, rescues them when they stray and lays down His life for them (John 10:2-16). He remains
the Chief Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20). Pastors have the ministry and responsibility of caring for
and protecting God’s flock as well as being worthy of their imitation. In 1 Timothy 3:1-13
provides instructions for the selection of local and elected officers. The first of these officers is
the “elder;” a term indicating age and maturity. In the Greek-speaking world, the term “bishop”
was used as the equivalent of elder. Bishop literally means overseer or superintendent. And on,
Acts 20:28 indicates that they were also expected to have the ministry of shepherd or pastor.
Pastors serve, inspires and live as a role models for the assembly. Ordination does not make them
ministers; it simply recognizes the ministry God has already given them.
Lastly, Teachers of faith are given a special ability of the Bishop or a Priest to explain and
interpret the truth of God’s revelation 26 Some were itinerant, going from church to church.
However, Ephesians 4:11 seems to connect pastor and teacher as a twofold ministry. As we have
noted, the responsibilities of each office is quite diverse; however, the goal is one and the same:
To glorify God and see the Kingdom of God advance. Every office is essential and although our
calls may be different, unity is key. “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come
from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do
different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do.” 27
In the History of the Church, the development offices began not as it is. There is no such term
for pope, bishop and priests as we called for those ordained. Even St. Peter, he could not
considered himself as a pope, however, an apostles of Christ. During 30-606 AD gradual
historical development of the Papal and Patriarchal Systems began as of centralized church
government. However, it is away from the organization found biblical. Based on my research
there are divisions on the development of Papal power into 6 periods of history. Here is the
26
Cf. Mathew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:11; 2 John 10

27
1 Corinthians 14:4-6

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outline:

Outline:28

Outline: 30-150 AD: The original Bible pattern for church government: The period of the
30-150 AD Eldership/Presbytery with autonomous local churches: Congregational oligarchy
where each local church is independent and self-governing. There is a plurality of
Bishops ruling each local church and their authority does not extend outside their
local church.

Outline: 150-250 AD: The period of the "Episcopal Presbytery" of autonomous local
150-250 churches. Local churches were governed by a single bishop/overseer (Episcopate)
AD over a group of elders (Presbytery). The only change was that the office of
elder/bishop was split into two separate offices within each local church. At first,
one elder was seen as the leading elder. (150 AD) Then this leading elder began to
take on exclusive title of Bishop. (200 AD)

Outline: 250-451 AD: The period of the 5 Patriarchs: The oligarchic diocesan episcopate.
250-451 Three changes take place in this era. 1. The rise of diocesan bishops who rule a
AD small group of churches in addition to his own local church. (250 AD) 2. The rise
of metropolitans who were nothing more than the diocesan bishops from the large
and important cities. (300 AD) 3. The rise of patriarchs who were nothing more
than the metropolitans from the largest and most important cities. (381 AD)

Outline: 451-588 AD: The period of the 5 Patriarchs who rule the church as and
451-588 Autocephalous oligarchy within their own respective territories. (Rome,
AD Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem.) Rome and Constantinople
are seen as near equals, with Rome having the highest honours, but neither Rome
or Constantinople had universal authority. Rome was the only Patriarch of the
west, while Constantinople was seen as the leading patriarch among the other
three eastern patriarchs.

Outline: 588-606 AD: The final "dog-fight" between Rome and Constantinople for the top
588-606 position of "universal bishop" where only one bishop wins the prize of ruling the
entire church world wide. Constantinople was first to make the claim of Universal

28
An Introduction and Overview: 30-606 AD. retrieved October 2, 2021 from https://www.bible.ca/ntx-
organization-historical-development-papal-patriarchal-systems-33-606AD.htm.

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 AD Bishop, but Gregory said no man should wear the title, not even the Himself as the
Bishop of Rome. Gregory called such a title the earmark of the anti-Christ. Eight
years later Boniface III, Bishop of Rome, takes the formal title of "Universal
Bishop" and has so to the present time. The Pope was born in its present
organizational form.

Outline: 606 AD-Today: Boniface III, Bishop of Rome is the first bishop of Rome to take
606 AD- the title: "universal Bishop": Catholicism is formally born in its present
Today organizational form. Constantinople however, never agrees and eventually
proclaims itself the Universal bishop of the east. Noting has really changed in
1400 years. Rome is head of the Latin/Western church and Constantinople is the
head of the Greek/Eastern church. But the way they govern is quite different. The
Bishop of Rome went on to take total absolute control of western church.
Remember Rome was the only Western Patriarch. Constantinople, however,
governed the eastern church in the tradition of the period of the 5 Patriarchs (451-
588 AD). While Rome proclaimed itself sole monarch with absolute power
throughout the western church, Constantinople, in the spirit of the period of the 5
Patriarchs (451-588 AD) called itself "the first among equals" and does so to the
present time. When the Muslims slashed their way with the bloodied sword in an
attempt for world domination in 622 AD, the Patriarchs of Antioch, Alexandria
and Jerusalem, were all but wiped out. This left only two dominant players on the
world stage to rule the church: Rome in the West and Constantinople in the East.
It remains so to the present day. No further organization developments have
occurred since 606 AD. The basic structure of Rome and Constantinople was
solidified in 606 AD and remains basically unchanged to the present time. Yes
many more Patriarchs were added in the East, but after the same order and design
of Constantinople in 606AD, echoing the period of the 5 Patriarchs (451-588 AD).

IV. Nature: Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church

The church’s manifoldness of appearances and forms of life, of effects of grace and
factors of power in the Church, be reduced to a unity. It must led back to unity in Jesus Christ:
the head of the body who is the first priest. When we talked about the one office of Christ in
Church, let us first talked about the various functional offices in the church live and operate by
participation in, and for the sake of Christ’s office.
Theologically, there are 3 “ranks”: bishops, priests, deacons. Under the hierarchy or
administrative body of the Church, the bishops are rank into: Pope, Cardinals, Patriarchs,
Archbishops, Bishops (diocesan or titular).
Administrative Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church known as the 'Hierarchy of
Order' is the orderly arrangement of ranks and orders of the clergy in one apostolic body to carry
out the sacramental and pastoral ministry of the Church. Comprises: His Holiness, the Pope,
Supreme Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church; and the Patriarchs, Archbishops, bishops,

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priests and deacons. 'Hierarchy of Jurisdiction', consisting of the Pope and bishops by divine
law and other Church officials by ecclesiastical institution and mandate; has authority to govern
and direct the faithful for spiritual end.
Church hierarchy:
Pope
Pope, the head of the Catholic Church. Recognized by Catholic as the successor of St.
Peter. He is the Unifier of the People of God. The Supreme Pastor as they say. The Pope has full
supreme, and universal power over the entire Church. They guide the community of Christ’s
faithful, protect them in the truth, confirm his brothers and sisters in the faith. He was elected by
the Papal Conclave in a meeting of the College of Cardinals
The Cardinals
The Cardinals are the dignitary of the Church. He also the Counsellor to the pope. Every
Cardinal priest has a titular church in Rome. The Cardinal has a power to elect a new Pope when
the pope resigned or died. Work for different congregations. He also run archdiocese. Cardinals
Are Hand-chosen by the Pope.
The Patriarchs
In the Latin Church, the title of Patriarch is given to the archbishops of some prominent sees, but
only carries with it only a prerogative of honour but not of jurisdiction. This includes the Bishop
of Aquileia, later of Grado (607), and transferred to Venice by Pope Nicholas V (1451); the
Bishop of Bourges, France (1232), but only for a short period of time; the grand chaplain of the
Spanish king as the Patriarch of the West Indies (under Leo X); the Patriarch of Lisbon (1716);
and the Archbishop of Goa with the title of the Patriarch of the East Indies (1886).29
Popes traditionally held the title of the Patriarch of the West. However, Pope Benedict XVI made
the decision to drop the title, wishing to eliminate the notion that the Holy See represents the
Church of "the West" only, and is therefore separate from the Eastern tradition. The Holy Father
wishes to emphasize the service that the Bishop of Rome performs for the entire Christian
community, as the focus of unity in the universal Church.
The Archbishop
Governs the diocese. He also presides over bishops of a district composed of dioceses. Ordain
deacons and priests. Has both episcopal and archiepiscopal jurisdiction.
The Bishop
Highest of the Holy Orders, it is one of the two degrees of priesthood and appointed by
the Pope. Revered in the image of the Father. Transmitter of the apostolic line. He is the Christ’s
Vicar and Member of the episcopal body. Their role is to serve the pastoral care of his particular
29
The Organization of the Roman Catholic Church: The 3 Tier Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church:
Pope, Bishop, Priests. retrieved October 3, 2023 from https://www.bible.ca/catholic-church-hierarchy-
organization.htm.

10 | P a g e
church or the local church (archdiocese or diocese). He is the Solicitude for all Catholic
churches. Entrust various church members with offices of ministry.
The Priest
It is part of the Holy Orders and one of the two degrees of priesthood. The priest is the
coworkers of the episcopal order. He receive a special character that configures them to Christ.
Associated with their bishop by sacerdotal dignity. They also called the “senate of God” Their
powers/responsibilities/rights/roles: to present Christ’s offering to the Father in the Holy sacrifice
of the Mass. They preach the Gospel, pastor of the faithful and celebrate divine worship. They
fulfill the Church’s apostolic mission, owes the Bishop love and obedience. Like Pope and
Bishop they are conferred by sacramental “ordination.”
The Deacon30
One of the Holy Orders- the degree of servitude. Deacon meant to serve presbyterate and
the episcopacy, as he receive a permanent imprint that configures them to Christ during their
Diaconate Ordination. Deacon receive the imposition of the hand: “not for the priesthood but for
the ministry.” The deacons has a powers/responsibilities/rights in assisting at the Eucharist,
distributing communion, preaching, baptizing, blessing marriages, or to bless. This role was
conferred by sacramental by the virtue of his ordination. In Timothy 3:8- 1 Timothy 3:13 deacons
“A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.”
The “wife, children, and household” whom the deacon to be faithful to, is not literally applicable
today however to recontextualize it the “wife, children and household” that was referring is the
“church” itself. However, some of the deacon (permanent deacon) have their own family while
serving the church.

Synthesis:
Bishop, Priest, and Deacon have different in their role/faculty/responsibilities given to
them. However, they are shared in the three mains offices of Jesus namely: Jesus as prophet,
priest, and king. There are Offices and lived that Offices because of the Lord Jesus Christ whom
we follow. Aside from Deacon they are all priests, they are all prophet- Prophets were tasked
with speaking God’s Word to people. They are also priest- Old Testament priests served as
mediators between humans and God. It was the priests who offered sacrifices on behalf of the
people. Jesus is our Mediator and our High Priest: “For there is one God and one mediator
between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). And, they shared on the
kingly offices of Jesus Christ- as The office of king in the Old Testament is illustrated well by
David. God called David a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). He promised
to David, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be
established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). This promise was fulfilled in the Messiah, who was also

30
(1 Timothy 3:12)

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given the title “Son of David.” Jesus is this Son of David and the rightful King (Matthew 1:1;
Revelation 22:16).
CONCLUSION
The church is intimately connected to the person and mission of Jesus. This means that
the study of the church is relevant to all. Jesus continues to work in and through the institutional
church to preach His gospel and to care for those for whom He died. Let us therefore never
detach our Lord from His bride; we should allow our love for one to influence our affection for
the other. Jesus continues His work on earth today through the church. He does so by
governing the church through offices and by bestowing spiritual gifts upon the church.
For the sake of the church and those in it, Jesus has ordained what we call church offices.
There are two kinds of offices: extraordinary and ordinary. The extraordinary offices are those
of prophet and Apostle, and the ordinary offices are those of elder and deacon. Each of these
offices has its own tasks that flow out of its specific purposes and place in redemptive history.
The primary purpose of the extraordinary offices of prophet and Apostle was to lay down
foundational normative truths for the church as superintended by God in the writing of the Old
and New Testaments. Therefore, these offices, like the work of laying down a foundation for a
house, need not be done repeatedly. These offices have ceased because the writing of Scripture
has been completed, and nothing shall ever be added or taken away from it.
Jesus does not love and care for His church only by giving instruction for her governance.
He also gives its members gifts of the Spirit. As with the extraordinary offices, some of these
gifts have ceased, namely, those that were meant to deliver and affirm revelation. Throughout
Scripture, there are various instances where God worked miraculously through gifting
individuals for the purpose of revelatory evidence. Yet, these gifts have now ceased for the same
reason that the prophetic and Apostolic offices have ceased—the unique and exclusive nature of
the Apostles as bearers of revelation. These gifts that pertain to building up the church, such as
teaching, mercy, and leadership, still continue today.
Jesus cares deeply for His bride, the church. He has revealed Himself to her. He has
organized and gifted her for the sake of her edification and mission. Christ has instituted the
offices and spiritual gifts of the church as the instruments by which He has promised to govern
His church. We must not underemphasize the weight of the ordinary offices and spiritual gifts,
lest we annul and dishonor that which our King has instituted. May our submission to His
revelation, governance, and service lead us to hold precious the church and the church’s only
head, Jesus Christ, all our days.

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