Acts 20:17-36

elders bishops pastors

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders Acts 20: Paul called for the elders from Ephesus [v. 17] - Paul said that the Holy Spirit had made them overseers (bishops) of the flock of God [v. 28] - Paul said that God had given them a task: to shepherd (pastor) the church of God [v. 28] Paul is clearly speaking to the same men he called from Ephesus: elders, bishops, and pastors are the same according to the Bible Each term describes a different aspect of their roles Todays Focus

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - primarily a comparative description of age: Lk 15:25; Ac 2:17; Hb 11:2 (ancestors); 1 Tm 5:2; etc. - not necessarily ancient, but older by comparison

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - primarily a comparative description of age from the O. T. -- presbuteros translates zaqen - secondarily describes position of responsibility: among Gentiles: Gn 50:7; Nm 22:7 among the Jews: Nm 11:16-17 (God-ordained); Dt 27:1 Elder roles represent the nation – Ex 3:16-18; 19:7-8; 24:9; Lv 4:15 serve as officers – Dt 19:11-12; 22:13-21; etc. aid in judgments – Nm 11:16-17; Dt 21:18-21; Pr 31:23 The seventy were the basis for the Sanhedrin later in Israel

1 Tm 4:14; 5:17; Tt 1:5; Ja 5:14; 1 Pt 5:1 Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - primarily a comparative description of age from the O. T. -- presbuteros translates zaqen - secondarily describes position of responsibility: New Testament use stems from Old Testament basis: among the Jews: Mt 16:21; Ac 4:5, 8 (incl. Sanhedrin) among Christians: Ac 11:27; 14:23; 15 & 16:4; 20:17; 21:18

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - primarily a comparative description of age - secondarily describes position of responsibility - Vines N.T. Greek: …presbuteroi [describes] their maturity of spiritual experience. [Lv 19:32; Dn 7:9] A Biblical Elder: Mature spiritually, not just physically Experienced spiritually, not just in life

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - Mature and experienced in spiritual matters Christian elders further defined by context: - Ac 11:27-30 administrators of the funds received from Antioch on behalf of the needs of the church among them cp. Acts 4:32-37; no longer using the apostles for this some early Christians now mature enough to do this who better to know the needs of each congregation?

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - Mature and experienced in spiritual matters Christian elders further defined by context: - Ac 11:27-30; 14:23 a plurality of elders in each local church [cp. Tt 1:5] follows the pattern of Israel; many elders appointed elders are commended…to the Lord in whom they have believed. [they are entrusted to the Lord with the weight and responsibility of their task; stewards]

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - Mature and experienced in spiritual matters Christian elders further defined by context: - Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29; 16:4-5 considered and involved in dispute over circumcision corrected error that had proceeded from people of their congregation – they had not taught this error! helped choose local men to go and deliver the letter

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - Mature and experienced in spiritual matters Christian elders further defined by context: - Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29; 16:4-5; 20:17 Paul called for these men specifically; the mature these had labored closely with him; he now warned them to use that experience to ward off wolves the spiritually mature and experienced are those to whom it is given to support the weak [v. 35]

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - Mature and experienced in spiritual matters Christian elders further defined by context: - Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29; 16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 context of 21:17-25 is important: elders called to help because of their spiritual maturity and experience, these men suggest that the apostle Paul participate in this Jewish rite, and he respects their suggestion! maturely, wisely, they sought a teaching opportunity

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - Mature and experienced in spiritual matters Christian elders further defined by context: - Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29; 16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 similar to Ac 15:25 – involved in the choosing of local men for involvement in the spread of the gospel - 1 Tm 4:14

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - Mature and experienced in spiritual matters Christian elders further defined by context: - Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29; 16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 expected to rule (govern), laboring in word (study) and doctrine (teaching); if done well, doubly honor by virtue of respect: no hasty accusations [Lv 19:32] - 1 Tm 4:14; 5:17-20 by virtue of position: if guilty, stern public rebuke

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - Mature and experienced in spiritual matters Christian elders further defined by context: - Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29; 16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 elder here first is blameless; by pattern of life he has shown correction of error [tested; cp. 1 Tm 3:6-7] elder also used here in the context of family; has experience with leadership and teaching discipline - 1 Tm 4:14; 5:17-20; Tt 1:5-6

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - Mature and experienced in spiritual matters Christian elders further defined by context: - Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29; 16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 in context, is experienced to comfort those who are ill (both spiritually and physically) [L.C. and M.L. ex.] from context, is a spiritually-minded, prayerful man, whose righteousness is known and trusted - 1 Tm 4:14; 5:17-20; Tt 1:5-6; Ja 5:14-16

Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors elders elders is from Greek presbuteros - Mature and experienced in spiritual matters Christian elders further defined by context: - Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29; 16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 exhorted not to serve as lords over those entrusted to you; the temptation is to delegate all to others the mature and experienced elder knows that true leaders both serve and delegate, leading by example - 1 Tm 4:14; 5:17-20; Tt 1:5-6; Ja 5:14-16; 1 Pt 5:1-4

elders Acts 20:27-36 elders bishops pastors

The Chief Shepherd is Jesus Himself Matt 18:11-13 He is seeking for those sheep which are lost Rev 1:8, 12-14, 18 He is elder of elders the Ancient of Days He alone has the wisdom and experience to save us; He has the words of life Would YOU submit to His rule today?