Lesson 13-Elders

The Church Jesus Established

Lesson 13- Elders According to the Pattern

Concepts relative to the eldership must be Scriptural if the ch~irch's organization is to go forward in acceptable fashion.

The Words Used To Identify Elders

"Elders" or "presbytery" (I Tim.4:14).
    (a) Used in ordinary sense to denote seniority(Lk.15:25; Mk. 8:21).
    (b) Used to refer to Jewish Elders of the Synagogues(Matt.16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22; Acts 4:5).
    (c)Used of men appointed in local churches to exercise spiritual oversight over its members (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Titus 1:5). Such a designation reminds us that they are mature men of ripe, sound, seasoned judgment (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 4:14).

"Bishop" (Phil.1:1) or "overseer" (Acts 20:28).
(a) Used interchangeably with Elder".e.g. "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should ... appoint elders in every city ... For a bishop must be blameless..." (Titus 1:5-7).

"Pastor" (Eph. 4: 1 1) or "Shepherd". In Acts 20:28 the elders (v. 17) are told to shepherd (King James says "feed"), in other words to pastor, "the flock of God over which they had been made "overseers" (Same word as bishop).

The Nature of the Office of Elder

1. It is not a political office, but a position governed by the Holy Spirit through the word of God (Acts 20:28). Men are to be appointed who meet God-given qualifications for the work.

2. It is not a one-man office, a plurality of elders in each church.
    ·Acts 11:30--elders at the church of Antioch
    .Acts 14:23--Paul and Barnabas appoint "elders in every church"
    .Acts 15:2,4,6,22,23;16:4--elders at the church in Jerusalem
   ·Acts 20:17,28--elders/bishops at the church of Ephesus(v.17--"elders of the church")
    .Acts 21:18--elders at the church in Jerusalem
    ·Phil.1;1--we note that the church at Philippi has bishops and deacons
    .I Tim. 5:17--elders
    .Titus1:5--Titus is to appoint elders in every town
    ·James 5:14--"the elders of the church"
    ·1 Pet. 5:I-2--"the elders among you"

3. It is not a dictatorial position. Peter warns elders not the act as lords (I Pet.5:3).Their rule is to be one of leadership. In fact, the word used for their rule is sometimes translated "lead". They are to "rule well" as a father over his family(l Tim.3:5). They are to "take care" of the church as a loving father takes care of his family as he rules well. They are to care for the church as a shepherd cares for his sheep.

4. It is an administrative position and not legislative(I Pet.5:4). They can make no laws,only administrate those given by the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ,who is the one Lawgiver(Jas.4:12). Authority does inhere the eldership (Acts 20:28).

5. It is local and not diocesan or universal (I Pet.5:4). "The flock of God among you."

The Qualifications of Elders

1. 1 Tim. 3:2-7 -- He must desire the office, Be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, rules his own house well, children in subjection, not a novice, not puffed up with pride, good testimony among outsiders.

2. Titus 1:6-9 -- Blameless, husband of one wife, faithful children, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, hospitable, lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word, able to convict those who contradict.

These qualifications never need revision-Just attainment and then need to be maintained!

The Responsibilities of Elders

    1. To feed, tend or shepherd the church (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet.5:2-3).
    2. To guard the flock from false teachers (Acts 20:29-31).
    3. To rule, manage and oversee the local church (Rom.12:8; 1 Tim.5: 17) - "Not as lords"
(1 Pet. 5:3).
    4. To show the congregation appropriate examples of conduct (I Pet.5:3; Heb.13:7).
    5. To watch on behalf of souls(Heb. 13:17).
    6. To do this job not by constraint (I Pet.5:21), nor for the accumulation of filthy lucre (I Tim.3;Tit.2;1 Pet.5:2).
    7. To constantly be evaluating themselves (Acts 20:28).

The Duty of Other Members to the Elders

1. Honor them (I Tim.5:17). Financially support those who labor in word or doctrine if need be (I Tim.5:17,18).

2. Do not receive accusations against them except at the mouth of two or three witnesses
(1 Tim. 5:19).

3. Obey and respect them(Heb.13:17).

4. Know them, esteem them highly and be at peace (I Thess.5:12,13).

5. We are to emulate their faith(Heb.13:7).

QUESTIONS:

1. In addition to "elders" what are two other words describing the same role.

2. Explain what is meant by the statement that the work of an elder is "administrative

and not legislative".

3. What scripture tells us that the authority of the elder went no higher than the local church?

4. 1 Peter 5:1-3 speaks of the elders not being "lords" over the flock", but "examples."

Does this mean that an elder rules only by example?

5. What kind of responsibilities would the expression "they watch for your souls"

include about the elder's work? (see Heb.13:17)

List of Qualifications of an Elder

Blameless = Above reproach (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6,7)
Husband of one wife (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6)
Vigilant = temperate (I Tim. 3:2)
Sober = prudent, sensible (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8)
Of good behavior = respectable (I Tim. 3:2)
Given to hospitality = hospitable (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7)
Apt to teach = Able to teach (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9)
Not given to wine = not addicted to wine(l Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7)
No striker = not pugnacious (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7)
Not greedy of filthy lucre = flee from the love of money(l Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7)
Patient = gentle (1 Tim. 3:3) Not a brawler = uncontentious (1 Tim. 3:3)
Ruleth well his own house = Manages his own household well(l Tim. 3:4)
Having his children in subjection with all gravity (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God7) ~ Keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God) (1 Tim. 3:4,5)
Having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly = Having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion (Titus 1:6)
Not a novice = Not a new convert (1 Tim. 3:6)
Must have a good report of them which are without = Must have a good reputation with those outside the church(l Tim. 3:7)
Not self-willed (Titus 1:7) Not soon angry = Not quick tempered (Thus 1:7)
A lover of good men = Loving what is good (Titus 1:8) Just (Titus 1:8)
Holy = devout (Titus 1:8) Temperate = self-controlled (Titus 1:8)

[ Introduction - The Pattern Concept] [Lesson 1 - Defining The Church] [Lesson 2 - Authority Over The Church]
[Lesson 3 - How Scripture Authorizes (Pt. 1)] [Lesson 4 - How Scripture Authorizes (Pt. 2)] [Lesson 5 - The Universal - The Local Church]
[Lesson 6 - Church Not A Denomination] [Lesson 7 - Timeline - Church's Establishment]    [Lesson 8 - Worship Christ Designed]
[Lesson 9 -Observing The Lord's Supper] [Lesson 10 - Worship in Song] [Lesson 11 - Worship In Prayer]
[Lesson 12 - The All Sufficient Church]    [14 - Deacons ] [Lesson 15 - Evangelists ]   [Lesson 16 - The Social Gospel]
    [Lesson 17 -Benevolence-According to the Pattern]

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This page last updated: October 27, 1999