Elders in the church
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· 4 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 arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with 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
Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching.
See also 1 Ti 3:5
As teachers
As teachers
Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in 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 over the whole flock of which the holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock.
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
See also Tt 1:9; 1 Pe 5:1–4
In the healing ministry
In the healing ministry
Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should 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
Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching.
For the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing,” and, “A worker deserves his pay.”
Do not accept an accusation against a presbyter unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
Reprimand publicly those who do sin, so that the rest also will be afraid.
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 the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:
“Worthy are you, Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things;
because of your will they came to be and were created.”
See also Re 5:8–14; Re 7:11–13; Re 19:4