The term we most often use in the churches of Christ for our leaders is “elder.” That is the first term, chronologically speaking, for this group of leaders in Christ’s church.
Take a look with me at Acts 11:30. This is the first time “elders” is used in the Bible to refer to Christian elders. Up to this point, the term has been used for Jewish elders.
Secondly, the term “elder” simply means an “older person.” How old? They have to have children who are old enough to be Christians and they, themselves, cannot be new Christians. So, the term “elder” is a relative term but, having children at that age means they have experience and wisdom usually comes with experience.
Thirdly, the elders in the church in Jerusalem had the responsibility of the church, at least the responsibility of overseeing the finances. This is the first indication that elders have the ultimate oversight of a congregation of God’s people.
Turn now to Acts 14:23. Missionaries, serving in a place where there are not current elders, have to take the lead in helping the congregation appoint elders. We also see that elders are to be appointed in every church; that is, one church = one eldership. Each congregation was to have its own leadership. Third, we see that a congregation is supposed to have more than one elder serving in the eldership.
In Acts, Christian elders are also found in Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22-23, 20:17 and 21:18.
https://www.unica-web.com/OBITUARIES/stanislaw-puls-en.html buy online viagra To get these problems solved, a sexologist is someone who has studied all areas of sex including sexual development, anatomy, sexual orientation, physiology and the dynamics governing sexual relations. To get your site onto good positions on results pages you’re going to need to request viagra best prices all three of your reports from the credit bureaus. You will not only able to please your online cialis have a peek at this shop girl, but also feel the intensified stimulation of spicy lovemaking. Nutritional supplements Along with a varied and a balanced viagra 100 mg diet.
We don’t really see “elders” again until Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3 about appointing new elders in the church of Christ in Ephesus. From Acts 20 until 1 Timothy is about 10 years and Timothy is working with the church in Ephesus and Paul gives him the qualifications in chapter 3 for elders. We’ll look more closely at those qualifications next week.
But, look at 5:17-19. Notice here that it is the elders who “lead.” This verb means to “so influence others as to cause them to follow a recommended course of action, to guide, to direct, to lead.” The word is used 8 times in the NT; it is used in 3:4-5 where it refers to elders “managing” their own homes. Clearly, then, it is the elders that set the vision for the congregation, who know where we are and where we need to be. Elders have in their hearts what they want the church to be doing five years from now, ten years, and so forth. They are leaders and they have the authority to rule. We also see that some elders may especially give their time and efforts to “preaching and teaching.” The text does not use the word “preaching;” it actually says, “laboring in the word” and teaching. So, some elders give their hearts and their time to teaching and, they can be (they don’t have to be) paid. That’s the point of this passage and Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 25:4 to prove his point.
Finally, from this text, elders are accountable to the word of God. Elders do not have the right to change the word of God and they are to hold each other accountable and the church is to hold the elders accountable to the Word of God.
Paul uses the word “elder” again in Titus 1:5 as he gives the qualifications of elders and then James uses the term “elder” in James 5:14. While James uses the term “elders” here, the action portrays the image of a shepherd who is tending to the needs of his flock. If you need someone who is spiritually mature to pray with you, by all means, call one of the elders. This was in a day when elders could have miraculous healing abilities, which are not available today, but the picture of caring shepherds praying for their sheep is still appropriate.
This brings us to the passage in 1 Peter 5:1-4 where Peter refers to himself as an elder and talks about the role and responsibilities of elders. I will pick up here tomorrow.
Paul Holland
