Mike Mazzalongo #4 – Elders: Specific Qualifications

Elders: General Characteristics Accept Biblical Inspiration Love the church Worship privately & publically Work well with others Understand decision-making Dependable Empathetic

- Foot Washing - Veils Cultural Eternal

- Foot Washing - Veils Cultural Eternal - Baptism - Role of Women

The Bible “comments” on certain cultural customs (e.g. veils, foot washing, contracting marriages, etc.) but it provides commands, examples & teachings for eternal issues (Roles of men & women in the church, baptism, etc.)

It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. - I Timothy 3:1

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. - I Timothy 3:2-3

He must be one who manages his own household well, 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?), - I Timothy 3:4-5

and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. - I Timothy 3:6-7

Elders: Specific Qualifications Above Reproach – nothing charged against him

Elders: Specific Qualifications Above Reproach Husband of one wife – “One Wife’s Husband”

Elders: Specific Qualifications Above Reproach Husband of one wife Temperate Prudent Respectable

Elders: Specific Qualifications – cont’d Hospitable Able to teach Not addicted to wine Pugnacious Gentle & Uncontentious

Elders: Specific Qualifications – cont’d Free from the love of money Manages household well Not a new convert Good reputation

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, - Titus 1:5

namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, - Titus 1:6-7

but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. - Titus 1:8-9

Elders: Specific Qualifications - Titus Above reproach Husband of one wife Believing children

Elders: Specific Qualifications – Titus con’t Above reproach Not – self-willed, quick tempered, addicted to wine, pugnacious, fond of sordid gain Hospitable

Elders: Specific Qualifications – Titus con’t Loving good Sensible Just Devout Self-controlled Holding fast to the Word

Qualifying the Qualifications 1.Eternal not impossible

Qualifying the Qualifications 1.Eternal not impossible 2. Subjective in nature

Qualifying the Qualifications 1.Eternal not impossible 2.Subjective in nature 3. Provide a framework for growth