Elders in the church
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· 3 viewsIn the NT a group of leaders responsible for managing and teaching a local church. As the name implies, they were normally men of experience and maturity. Although women played a very significant part in early Christian ministry, there is no specific NT evidence for women as elders.
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Elders in the Jerusalem church
Elders in the Jerusalem church
When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
See also Ac 11:30; Ac 15:2; Ac 15:6; Ac 15:22–23; Ac 16:4; Ac 21:18
Elders are also called “overseers”
Elders are also called “overseers”
Ac 20:28 In Ac 20:17 they are described as “elders”. Here they are “overseers”.
See also Tt 1:6–7
Elders are appointed by apostles or their delegates
Elders are appointed by apostles or their delegates
Ac 14:23 Here, as always in the NT, people are appointed to a joint eldership. There is no NT example of a single elder leading a church.
See also Tt 1:5
Qualifications for elders
Qualifications for elders
Tt 1:6–9 As in Ac 20:17,28, “elder” is here synonymous with “overseer”.
See also 1 Ti 3:1–7
The role of elders
The role of elders
As leaders
As leaders
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
See also 1 Ti 3:5
As teachers
As teachers
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
See also 1 Ti 3:2
As pastors and guardians against false teaching
As pastors and guardians against false teaching
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
See also Tt 1:9; 1 Pe 5:1–4
In the healing ministry
In the healing ministry
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
The remuneration and correction of elders
The remuneration and correction of elders
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.
Elders are to receive respect and submission from church members
Elders are to receive respect and submission from church members
Heb 13:17 “leaders” is an alternative term for “elders”.
See also 1 Th 5:12; Heb 13:7
The twenty-four elders in heaven
The twenty-four elders in heaven
The elders are seated on thrones
The elders are seated on thrones
Re 4:4 These elders may be angelic beings corresponding to the 24 orders of Levites (1Chronicles chapters 24-25) or symbolise Israel and the church (compare Rev 21:12-14).
See also Re 5:5–6; Re 11:16; Re 14:3
The elders worship God and the Lamb
The elders worship God and the Lamb
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
See also Re 5:8–14; Re 7:11–13; Re 19:4