[roamer_1]

Funny that Christ appointed a bunch of them (they were called "Apostles"). And those Apostles appointed bishops, who ordained priests presbyters (elders) and deacons. This "is" all in Scripture. You "do" believe Scripture, don't you????

[Chaguito]

Acts 20:17,28
presbuteros = elders = episkopos = bishops = poimen = pastors = the same people/functions, namely the elders of Ephesus church. Just a point of info.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Funny that Christ appointed a bunch of them (they were called "Apostles"). And those Apostles appointed bishops, who ordained priests presbyters (elders) and deacons."

Uh, "priest" is the English for "presbyter". I'm sure the word for "presbyter" is different in Swahili and Japanese, too. The names change, but the function has been a constant from the first days of the church.