The Presbyterians [even the liberal Presbyterian Church I grew up in] seem to hold that the Bible teaches two offices; Deacon and Elder. They further subdivide elder into Ruling Elder and Teaching Elder.. But they hold that the term Presbyter/Elder and Bishop are equivalent.
The Dutch Reformed Church Order, at least as it was held in the Protestant Reformed Churches, does not use the distinction of Ruling and Teaching Elder. They call Teaching Elders,Ministers of the Word and Sacrament; while simply calling Ruling Elders "Elder". They do not ordain with the laying on of hands Elders they only install them. Ulinke ministers they are only Elders for their term of service. From this I deduce that the Dutch Reformed believe that their are Three Offices; Deacon, Elder/Presbyter, and Minister/Bishop.
Am I correct?
The Dutch Reformed Church Order, at least as it was held in the Protestant Reformed Churches, does not use the distinction of Ruling and Teaching Elder. They call Teaching Elders,Ministers of the Word and Sacrament; while simply calling Ruling Elders "Elder". They do not ordain with the laying on of hands Elders they only install them. Ulinke ministers they are only Elders for their term of service. From this I deduce that the Dutch Reformed believe that their are Three Offices; Deacon, Elder/Presbyter, and Minister/Bishop.
Am I correct?