The term "presides" in the context of the Bible refers to the act of leading, governing, or overseeing a group or assembly. This concept is integral to understanding the structure and function of leadership within the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the early church and the roles of elders and overseers.

Biblical Context and Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of presiding is closely associated with church leadership. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, provides guidance on the qualifications and responsibilities of those who preside over the church. In 1 Timothy 3:4-5 , Paul writes about the qualifications of an overseer: "He must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity. For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?" Here, the ability to preside over one's household is seen as a prerequisite for presiding over the church, emphasizing the importance of leadership and governance.

Similarly, in 1 Timothy 5:17 , Paul states, "Elders who lead well are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching." The term "lead well" implies a form of presiding that involves not only governance but also the spiritual guidance and teaching of the congregation.

Role of Elders and Overseers

The role of elders and overseers in the early church was to preside over the spiritual and administrative affairs of the community. This included teaching, preaching, and maintaining doctrinal purity, as well as providing pastoral care and discipline. In Titus 1:7-9 , Paul outlines the qualifications for an overseer, emphasizing the need for integrity, self-control, and sound doctrine: "As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it was taught, so that by sound teaching he will be able to encourage others and refute those who contradict it."

Presiding in Worship and Order

The act of presiding also extends to the conduct of worship and maintaining order within the church. In 1 Corinthians 14:40 , Paul instructs, "But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner." This directive underscores the importance of leadership in ensuring that worship services are conducted in a way that honors God and edifies the congregation.

Spiritual Authority and Servant Leadership

While presiding involves authority, the biblical model of leadership is one of servant leadership, following the example of Christ. In Matthew 20:25-28 , Jesus teaches His disciples about the nature of true leadership: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

Conclusion

The concept of presiding in the Bible encompasses a range of responsibilities and qualities essential for effective leadership within the church. It involves governance, teaching, maintaining order, and exemplifying servant leadership, all rooted in the example and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Unxia, My Opponent Says, Presides Over the Anointing of Door-Posts ...
... Book III. 25 Unxia, my opponent says, presides over the anointing of
door-posts? Unxia, my opponent says, presides over the anointing ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/25 unxia my opponent says.htm

It Behoves the Bishops in Every Province to Acknowledge the Bishop ...
... Canon IX. It behoves the bishops in every province to acknowledge the bishop
who presides in the? It behoves the bishops in every ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon ix it behoves the.htm

Of the Question Why the Heathen Should Refuse to Worship the God ...
... "He is the deity," said he, "that presides over those elements of which ... Why not,
again, in preference to Silvanus, who presides over the fields and woods only? ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxix of the question why.htm

Introduction
... which is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him that willeth all things which
are according to the love of Jesus Christ our God, which also presides in the ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the romans/introduction.htm

Moral Government.
... Physical government presides over and controls physical states and changes of substance
or constitution, and all involuntary states and changes. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture ii moral government.htm

But You Will, Perhaps, Say that the Gods are not Artificers...
... Juno presides over childbirth, and aids travailing mothers; and why are
a thousand mothers every day cut off in murderous throes? ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/23 but you will perhaps.htm

Does Venus Militaris, Also, Preside Over the Evil-Doing of Camps.. ...
... their end with uninterrupted pleasure? Is there also Pertunda, who presides
over the marriage [4114] couch? Is there also Tutunus ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/7 does venus militaris also.htm

Concerning the Likeness and Agreement of the Fabulous and Civil ...
... Why are Forculus, who presides over doors, and Limentinus, who presides over thresholds
and lintels, male gods, and Cardea between them feminine, who presides ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 7 concerning the likeness and.htm

Whether Every Parish Priest Can Grant Indulgences?
... Generically, as when a person directs his works for the good of the Church in general;
and thus he who presides over the whole Church can communicate those ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether every parish priest can.htm

Preserve Harmony.
... beheld the whole multitude of you in faith and love, I exhort you to study to do
all things with a divine harmony, [667] while your bishop presides in the ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the magnesians/chapter vi preserve harmony.htm

Presides (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Presides (1 Occurrence). Psalms 82:1 A Psalm by Asaph.
God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods. (WEB. ...
/p/presides.htm - 6k

Presidents (5 Occurrences)

/p/presidents.htm - 8k

Vashti (10 Occurrences)
... It is only (Esther 1:19) when the decree is proposed to repudiate and degrade her
that she is called merely "Vashti." She also (Esther 1:9) presides at the ...
/v/vashti.htm - 12k

One (26466 Occurrences)
... EVIL ONE. (ho poneros): Nearly all peoples who have expressed their religious thought
and feeling believe in a spirit that presides over the destinies of men ...
/o/one.htm - 9k

Presiding (1 Occurrence)

/p/presiding.htm - 7k

Speaker (10 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) One who is the mouthpiece of others; especially, one who presides over,
or speaks for, a deliberative assembly, preserving order and regulating the ...
/s/speaker.htm - 9k

Schoolmaster (3 Occurrences)
... is Christ. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The man who presides over and
teaches a school; a male teacher of a school. 2. (n.) One ...
/s/schoolmaster.htm - 10k

Persian (4 Occurrences)
... Each has a special province: thus Armaiti is the general spirit of earth and presides
over its fruitfulness. She is the troness of virtuos matrons. ...
/p/persian.htm - 45k

Divine (39 Occurrences)
... kingdom. (See RSV). Psalms 82:1 A Psalm by Asaph. God presides in the great
assembly. He judges among the gods. (See RSV). Proverbs ...
/d/divine.htm - 19k

Place (9195 Occurrences)
... (2) In 1 Samuel, sacrifice outside of Jerusalem is treated as an entirely normal
thing, and Samuel presides in one such case (1 Samuel 9:11-24). ...
/p/place.htm - 28k

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