BISHOP:
literally an "overseer." From as early as the second century A.D.
Bishops formed part of an organization hierarchy in CHRISTIANITY. IGNATIUS, the
"Church Father," speaks of Bishops, PRESBYTERS and DEACONS referring to the
structure of AUTHORITY in the CHURCH. Originally each Church seems to have had its own
Bishop; later on Bishops came to control a specific territory or DIOCESE, then Archbishops
and eventually the POPE were added by the Western Church. In the East, Bishops retained
much of their earlier status and powers. Bishops had the power to ordain PRIESTS and were
the guardians of ORTHODOX DOCTRINE.
