T HE N EW T ESTAMENT C HURCH T HE E LDERSHIP

T HE O FFICE Uses of the word “ Elder.” Originally the authority seems naturally invested who by virtue of greater age and consequently, experience, were best suited to govern. Later the idea of age became merged in that of dignity and experience.

T HE O FFICE Word is used adjectively to denote seniority. – “Now his older son was in the field…”{Luke 15:25}

T HE O FFICE Referring to Jewish Elders of the synagogues. – “…He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes…”{Matthew 16:21} – “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” {Mark 9:31}

T HE O FFICE Referring to Jewish Elders of the synagogues. – “…The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes…”{Luke 9:22} – “And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,” {Acts 4:5}

T HE O FFICE Denotes certain persons appointed in local churches to exercise spiritual oversight over its members. – “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” {Acts 14:23}

T HE O FFICE Denotes certain persons appointed in local churches to exercise spiritual oversight over its members. – “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.” {Acts 20:17} – “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city…”{Titus 1:5}

T HE O FFICE Elder in the last sense, is used synonymously with bishop and pastor, referring to the same office and work. – “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” {Ephesians 4:11} – “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.”{1 Timothy 3:1}

T HE O FFICE Elder in the last sense, is used synonymously with overseer and shepherd, referring to the same office and work. – “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” {Acts 20:28}

T HE R ESPONSIBILITY AND W ORK OF A N E LDER To FEED the church Spiritual nourishment. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”{Acts 20:28}

T HE R ESPONSIBILITY AND W ORK OF A N E LDER Guard the flock from false teachers. “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” {Acts 20:29-31}

T HE R ESPONSIBILITY AND W ORK OF A N E LDER Ruling the church. “He who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence ; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” {Romans 12:8}

T HE R ESPONSIBILITY AND W ORK OF A N E LDER Ruling the church. “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” {1 Timothy 5:17}

T HE R ESPONSIBILITY AND W ORK OF A N E LDER Ruling the church. Leading by example. “Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” {1 Peter 5:3}

T HE R ESPONSIBILITY AND W ORK OF A N E LDER Tending the flock. “ Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.” {1 Peter 5:2}

T HE R ESPONSIBILITY AND W ORK OF A N E LDER Watching on behalf of their souls. “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” {Hebrews 13:17}

T HE Q UALIFICATIONS OF E LDERS Must Desire the office. Be Man. Must be Blameless Husband of one wife. “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife...” {1 Timothy 3:1,2}

T HE Q UALIFICATIONS OF E LDERS Temperate. Sober-minded. Good Behavior Hospitable Able to Teach. “… temperate, sober- minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach...” {1 Timothy 3:2}

T HE Q UALIFICATIONS OF E LDERS Not given to wine. Not violent. Not greedy for money Gentle Not quarrelsome. Not covetous. “ Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous.” {1 Timothy 3:3}

T HE Q UALIFICATIONS OF E LDERS Must RULE his house well. Children in submission. Can’t rule his house— how the church ? “One who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?).” {1 Timothy 3:4,5}

T HE Q UALIFICATIONS OF E LDERS Not a novice. Good testimony among those who are outside. “Not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” {1 Timothy 3:6,7}

T HE Q UALIFICATIONS OF E LDERS Faithful children. Under control and in submission to his authority. Not disrespectful. “If a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick- tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money.” {Titus 1:6,7}

T HE Q UALIFICATIONS OF E LDERS Lover of what is good. Holding fast the faithful word. “But hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober- minded, just, holy, self- controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” {Titus 1:8,9}

T HE Q UALIFICATIONS OF E LDERS Cannot be self- appointed. Not popularity contest “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” {Acts 14:23}

O UR D UTY T OWARD E LDERS Not to hear accusations except by mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses. “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.” {1 Timothy 5:19}

O UR D UTY T OWARD E LDERS Obey and respect them “ Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” {Hebrews 13:17}

O UR D UTY T OWARD E LDERS Can be given “ double honor.” Labor in word and doctrine “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, The laborer is worthy of his wages.” {1 Timothy 5:17,18}