iv  Under  the  apostles  we  find  from  early  times  a  definite  body  of  church
rulers  or  ministers.  After  Jewish  analogy  they  are  called  the  elders  {presbyters)
of  the  church,  and  such  a  body  is  found  universally.  It  was  some  time  before
oflkial  titles  became  fixed ;  and  later  on  S.  Paul  calls  the  presbyters  in  his
dmrchee  bishops.  Probably,  in  ordinary  language  the  expression  *  the  elders
of  the  church'  would  often  have  been  used  to  denote  the  whole  body  of  the
dnirch's  higher  ministers,  such  as  apostles  and  prophets,  pastors  and  teachers;
tod  therefore  for  the  sake  of  distinction  the  title  bishop  was  confined  to  those
elders  or  'presbyter  bishops'  who  bare  rule  in  the  local  churches.  As  the
church  extended,  the  question  of  government  became  more  and  more  important,
tod  ultimately  led  to  further  restriction  in  the  application  of  the  word  bishop.
V  Before  their  departure  from  the  world  the  apostles  had  to  make
provision  for  the  continuance  of  apostolic  oversight.  There  were  already
'spostolic  men'  (iii);  and  then  we  find  S.  Paul  definitely  using  Timothy  and
Titus  as  his  delegates.  For  the  same  purpose  the  chief  presbyter-bishops
in  the  local  churches  were  evidently  very  suitable  persons ;  and  for  apostolic
representatives  the  name  of  bishop  (overseer)  was  most  appropriate.  Thus
from  sndi  successors  of  the  apostles— apostolic  delegates  and  the  chief  rulers
of  the  local  churches — have  descended  our  present  order  of  *  bishops.'

Ti    Here  and  there  are  scattered  in  the  Acts  hints  of  lower  ministries  and


xc  CHURCH  AND  MINISTRY  ch.  vi

services  (specially  attached  to  the  apostles),  which  by  the  time  of  the  Pastoral
Epistles  have  been  consolidated  in  the  order  of  deacons.
yii    Lastly,  there  is  much  evidence  of  the  ministry  of  women.
