What is the difference between priests, deacons, bishops, and presbyters?

Question

In particular, I'd like to know their role in the early church.

When did priests come about in the church?

Answer 1

They are all connected to Christian Churches and have different ranking and different powers. The details are s under-

Priest - A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to perform and administer religious rites; and in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of the deity or deities. Their office or position is the priesthood, a term which may also apply to such persons collectively. **

Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. In many traditions, the diaconate is a clerical office; in others, it is for laity. - He is supposed to be ranked just below a priest in Christian churches; one of the Holy Orders

A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy. In those Christian churches that maintain an episcopal form of church government, a bishop holds a position of authority. Their roles can differ significantly in the various denominations. A Bishop is suposed to be having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve apostles of Christ

Presbyter in the New Testament refers to a leader in local Christian congregations, then a synonym of episkopos (which has now come to mean bishop). In modern usage, it is distinct from bishop and synonymous with priest, pastor, elder, or minister in various Christian denominations. Its literal meaning in Greek (presbyteros) is "elder."-

** Priests and priestesses have been known since the earliest of times and in the simplest societies. They exist in some branches of Christianity, Shintoism, Hinduism, and many other religions, as well, and are generally regarded as having good contact with the deities of the religion to which he or she ascribes, often interpreting the meaning of events, performing the rituals of the religion, and to whom other believers often will turn for advice on spiritual matters.

In many (but not all) religions, being a priest or priestess is a full-time assignment, ruling out any other career. In other cases it is an auxiliary role. For example in early Icelandic history the chieftains were entitled goði, a word which meant "priest", but as in the saga of Hrafnkell Freysgoði, this consisted merely of offering periodic sacrifices to the Norse gods and goddesses, and it was not a full time occupation, nor did it involve any special training or ordination.

In some religions, priesthood is a position inherited in familial lines. The term "priestess" is often used for women officiating in ancient and modern Paganism, Neopagan religions such as Wicca, and various Polytheistic Reconstructionism faiths; however, in Christian churches that ordain women, such as those of the Anglican Communion or the Christian Community, ordained women are simply called, priests. Those officiating in Judaism, both men and women, are called rabbi.-

Answer 2

Bishops Priests And Deacons

Answer 3

Different ranks in different armies ! All are priests, under various names. The higher the rank, the more power you have, this applies today, just as it always has. Religious hierarchies existed a long, long , long , time before Christianity was invented, and `priests`should be considered purely as a generic term for someone holding religious office or performing rites.

Answer 4

A diocesan priest has to run a parish or a diocesan ministry and reports to his bishop. An ordered priest does whatever his provincial superior assigns him to. A bishop has to run his diocese and reports to the pope through his various secretaries. A cardinal performs his assigned duties as a priest or bishop but also serves the direct interests of the pope.

Answer 5

Apologize for communicating with you without answering your question - do not know the answer to your question Heron by the Sea, but when you are able to Can you please go into my questions and answer them on What are the different types of Hindu Meditations - Breathing Meditations mostly - am only vaguely familiar with
Yoga. AND if you could refer me to as many websites as you know on Hinduism and Hindu Meditations I'd greatly appreciate it.
Trust your expertise - You are very knowledge about the Religions and Philosophies of the World, yet you still ask questions in a Humble manner.
Thank You - from the Scotsman.

Answer 6

before christianity there was priests

Paul simply advocated no more need of the middle guy and made many angry

so did Galileo when he said science trumped bible and doctrines

all gurus claim you must be grasshopper first before turning around and being guru to others

Answer 7

Ranking, kinda like the military I'd say.