1. New Testament Eldership Part 2

2. “Be on guard for yourselves and for 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)

3. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness… (1 Peter 5:1-2)

4. Pastoral leadership By a team of qualified men By a team of Spirit- appointed men The New Testament teaches that eldership is…

5. Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons… (Phil 1:1, see also 1 Tim 3:1, Titus 1:7) Overseers = Greek episkopos

6. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder … shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness… (1 Peter 5:1-2) Elders = Greek presbuteros Shepherd = Greek poimenos

7. “[Elders] be on guard for yourselves and for 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, see also 1 Peter 5:1, 1 Tim 5:17) Elders = Greek presbuteros Shepherd = Greek poimenos

8. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward … (Titus 1:7) Steward – one who administers someone else’s possessions.

9. The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. (1 Tim 5:17) Rule - one who leads or manages.

10. Equality Diversity

11. All Elders … Have been made overseers by the Holy Spirit Have been charged by the Holy Spirit to shepherd Share equally the authority and responsibility for pastoral oversight. Are equally responsible to be alert to false doctrine. Are to be able to teach Scripture Are to be publicly examined.

12. All Elders … Are responsible to visit and pray for the sick Share the designations “elder” and “overseer” Are equally accountable to the entire eldership body Are to be appreciated, esteemed “very highly in love.”

13. “The Holy Spirit has made you [all of you] overseers, to care [shepherd] for the church of God” (Acts 20:28) Example of the Ephesian Church

14. As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines … (1 Tim 1:3) The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Y OU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” (1 Tim 5:17-18)

15. And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ … (Eph 4:11-12)

16. The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. (Gal 6:6)

17. Equality Diversity

18. New Testament Eldership Part 2 www.BiblicalEldership.com