The Bible teaches that Jesus holds all authority over the universal church (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23), and has delegated authority concerning how to expedite His will in each local congregation to men whom the New Testament refers to as shepherds or pastors, overseers or bishops, and elders or presbyters (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-4). These men are required by God to shepherd, care for, and spiritually feed the flock of God which is His church, exercising oversight over the local congregation among them (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:15).