From this general use, however, the term was soon to take on a particular meaning in the church. It came to refer to a particular office. In fact, it seems already to have taken on this particular meaning when Paul wrote to the Philippians (1:1) for he mentions the two offices (bishops and deacons) which came to be used in the early church. Bishops (synonymous with elders) were in the church almost from the beginning (Acts 11:30). Even on the first missionary journey Paul ordained elders in the newly