← All questions

Question 52 · The Church

How was the church governed: bishops, presbyters, deacons?

What the sources show

Didache c. 100 · Clement of Rome c. 96 · Polycarp of Smyrna c. 135Two offices

The earliest texts know two local offices: bishops (also called presbyters) and deacons. The Didache, Clement and Polycarp's letter to Philippi all show this. 124

Ignatius of Antioch c. 110Bishop, presbyters, deacons

By about 110 Ignatius knows one bishop in each city, with presbyters and deacons; "without these it is not called a church". By the late second century this was the pattern everywhere. 3

Church of England 1662 · Belgic Confession (Reformed) 1561 · Second London Baptist Confession 1689

Anglicans, Catholics and Orthodox keep the three orders; Reformed churches returned to presbyters; Baptists and Congregationalists gave authority to each congregation. 678

The answers given:
ApostolicBefore NicaeaNicaea and afterMiddle AgesReformation to today

Scroll through the centuries, or tap a dot. J K move between witnesses.

Apostolic Fathers

30–150
96c. AD
Two offices

Clement of Rome fl. c. 96 ADFirst Letter to the Corinthians 42.4

So preaching through country and town, they appointed their first fruits, after testing them by the Spirit, as bishops and deacons of those who would believe.

Clement uses "bishops" and "presbyters" for the same leaders at Corinth (compare 44.4–5).

Full English of this work is being translated
100c. AD
Two offices

Didache c. 100 ADDidache 15.1–2

Appoint for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are gentle, not lovers of money, truthful and tested. For they too perform for you the ministry of the prophets and teachers. So do not despise them; for they are the honored ones among you, together with the prophets and teachers.

Two offices, chosen by the congregation, beside traveling prophets and teachers.

Read in context →
110c. AD
Bishop, presbyters, deacons

Ignatius of Antioch d. c. 110 ADLetter to the Trallians 3.1

Likewise let all respect the deacons as Jesus Christ, as also the bishop, who is the image of the Father, and the presbyters as the council of God and the band of the apostles. Without these, it is not called a church.

The first clear witness to one bishop over presbyters and deacons in each city, in Asia Minor and Syria about 110.

Read in context →
135c. AD
Two offices

Polycarp of Smyrna c. 69–c. 155 ADLetter to the Philippians 5.3

... being subject to the presbyters and deacons as to God and Christ.

Polycarp, himself a bishop, names no bishop at Philippi, only presbyters and deacons.

Read in context →
140c. AD
Two offices

Shepherd of Hermas fl. c. 140 ADShepherd of Hermas Vision 2.4.3

You will write two little books and send one to Clement and one to Grapte. Clement will send his to the cities abroad, for that has been entrusted to him; Grapte will instruct the widows and orphans. And you shall read yours to this city, with the presbyters who preside over the church.

At Rome the church is led by the plural presbyters who preside over it; no single bishop of the city appears in the Vision. In Vision 3.9.7 the same leaders are addressed as those who lead the church and love the first seats (τοῖς προηγουμένοις τῆς ἐκκλησίας καὶ τοῖς πρωτοκαθεδρίταις). The library's Hermas is the Greek text.

Full English of this work is being translated

Reformation

1500–1700
1561AD
Two offices

Belgic Confession (Reformed)Belgic Confession Article 31

As for the ministers of the Word, they all have the same power and authority, no matter where they may be

The Reformed read the New Testament as having one order of presbyter-bishops.

1662AD
Bishop, presbyters, deacons

Church of EnglandBook of Common Prayer, Preface to the Ordinal Preface

It is evident unto all men diligently reading holy Scripture and ancient Authors, that from the Apostles' time there have been these Orders of Ministers in Christ's Church; Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

The Anglican Ordinal claims the three orders from the apostles' time.

1689AD
Congregational

Second London Baptist ConfessionSecond London Baptist Confession 26.7

To each of these churches thus gathered, according to his mind declared in his word, he hath given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline

Baptists and Congregationalists give each congregation full authority.

Witnesses not in the library yet

These writers also matter for this question. Their texts will join the timeline above once they are translated.

  • 387
    Jerome, Letter 146; Commentary on Titus 1:5

    "A presbyter is the same as a bishop": the patristic text the Reformed cited.

How this page was made

Every early quote was read in its Greek or Latin and translated for this page by Claude (Opus 5.5) on 13 October 2026. Each line names the printed edition it was read from. A quote marked indirect does not state the answer outright; read its note. A writer's silence is never counted as an answer.