The Church Has Only One Archbishop According To The Bible

The Christian Church has an owner and head. He is called Yeshua in Hebrew, Jesus in English and Yesu among the Akan community in Ghana. 

The ownership and headship of the Church stem from the fact that Jesus said, “…I will build my Church…” (Matthew 16:18). Yes, the Lord authoritatively declared that He would build His Church. Certainly, He said this, knowing that He would build it through people.

Key people through whom Jesus builds His Church are referred to as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). What they primarily do is to equip believers for the work of ministry.

Now, remember that another term for pastor is bishop, shepherd, overseer, elder, presbyter or superintendent. These people who are theologically referred to as under-shepherds are servants of Jesus.

However, one thing is clear that Jesus does not appoint anyone in His Church as archbishop. But you probably have heard some of His servants addressed as archbishops today. They are mostly in churches or denominations that are run by the episcopal system of government. 

This elicits several questions: What and who is an archbishop? Is there anyone in the Bible who is regarded as the archbishop? By what authority does a servant of God address himself as an archbishop? Which man first called himself archbishop? There are other questions that may be asked.

The apostle Peter who was considered the leader of the early apostles was never called the archbishop. Peter knew the only archbishop of the Church and talked about Him when he exhorted his fellow elders to be examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:3).

He continued, “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).

I believe you have seen the term “chief Shepherd” in the text above. The Greek term translated Chief Shepherd in this verse also means archbishop. “Arch”means “chief”, “ruler” or “head” and you remember that the Greek word translated bishop also means shepherd, pastor, overseer, presbyter or superintendent. 

Archbishop, thus, simply means the head, chief or ruler of the bishops, shepherds or ministers. Now, who in the Church qualifies or fits to be called the archbishop? Absolutely, no one qualifies. All are brothers, functioning in different ministry offices for the Lord.

As the apostle Peter boldly stated, only the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head, Ruler or Chief of all the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors (bishops) and teachers. Everyone else is an under-shepherd.

Those who dispute the truth of this teaching, arguing that Jesus is not the Archbishop of the Church only try to suppress the truth to enable them to enjoy the perks that go with the use of lofty titles and demonstrate their unwillingness to repent of pride and arrogance.

One thing we must understand is that unlike religious ministers, true servants of Christ learn from Christ Jesus, their Master and Lord. Just as Christ Jesus did nothing without the approval of the Father, Christ’s servants are expected to do what He has commanded. 

“But I DO AS THE FATHER HAS COMMANDED ME, so that the world may know that I love the Father…” (John 14:31).

“So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I DO NOTHING ON MY OWN AUTHORITY, but speak just as the Father taught me” (John 8:28).

You see, Jesus did nothing on His own authority and He did nothing without the Father commanding Him. This means Jesus was committed to doing the will of the Father who sent Him. That He did to prove to the world that He truly loved the Father.

Church servant-leaders who respect, honour and love Jesus Christ will not create ministry offices and use lofty titles He has not commanded or authorized them. And we know that whatever the Lord commanded and authorized for ministry is stated in the Scriptures. 

As humans, we are often times led astray, but when our attention is drawn to errors we have made, we need to humble ourselves, thank God and repent so as to serve in the perfect will of our God.

By James Quansah