Bible Verses About Church Government
Ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community
These are the Bible verses most often cited for church government, ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community across 10,592 votes, led by Acts 14:23. Each passage links to its verse page or the interactive map; scripture is the King James Version.
Top verses about Church Government
Acts 14:23239 votes
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Acts 5:29218 votes
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Romans 13:1218 votes
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Acts 20:28210 votes
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Romans 13:1-7193 votes
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Psalms 22:28181 votes
For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations.
John 19:11176 votes
Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Titus 1:5174 votes
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Titus 3:1168 votes
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
1 Peter 2:13-14161 votes
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1 Timothy 5:17153 votes
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Hebrews 13:17148 votes
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Ephesians 4:11147 votes
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
1 Timothy 3:2144 votes
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1 Peter 2:14144 votes
Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Matthew 22:17-21140 votes
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not?
1 Corinthians 12:12139 votes
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
Romans 13:4135 votes
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
1 Corinthians 12:28131 votes
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Romans 13:2130 votes
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
1 Timothy 2:1-3130 votes
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1 Timothy 3:1-7130 votes
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 Peter 2:13-17129 votes
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Ephesians 1:22128 votes
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Isaiah 9:6-7127 votes
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
What does the Bible say about church government?
Readers most often cite Acts 14:23 on the subject of church government. Across 10,592 votes, 25 passages are commonly cited for this topic, including Acts 5:29, Romans 13:1, Acts 20:28. This page lists all 25 in ranked order, quoted in the King James Version, with each linked to its cross-references.