Faithful Leadership| Acts 2:42–43

proskarterountes - To persevere Devotedly

The leadership of the Biblical Church is outlines in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9

Titus 1:5–9 ESV

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

1 Timothy 3:1–7 ESV

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

The Church is to be led by a PLURALITY of Elders.

Acts 14:23 ESV

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Acts 20:17 ESV

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.

James 5:14 ESV

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

The idea of one man leading a church by himself is not biblical and is dangerous to the church.

It’s clear from the text that the early church had many men, called by God to lead the local body. This isn’t my opinion, it’s scripture

These men are to be:

1. Called and Mature

Hebrews 5:1–4 ESV

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

The calling of men by God is not explicit but rather implicit. It includes on inner calling, by which Through his Spirit, God speaks to those persons he has called to serve as pastors and ministers of his Church. The great Reformer Martin Luther described this inward call as “God’s voice heard by faith.” Those whom God has called know this call by a sense of leading, purpose and growing commitment to preach and teach the word of God.

Second there is an external call. That is the church should recognize that calling in the life of men in the church.

Men who have a history of leading the congregation by example in their commitment to pray.

Men who are committed to the church for the long haul. Seminary students, men on temporary work assignment, might be elder qualified, but because they are planning on leaving, it may be unwise to appoint them to the office of elder and have them make critical decisions for the church they are planning on leaving. It is usually best to let them serve and teach as they are able, but not as elders.

2. Manhood and Family

Note previous qualifications for pastors.

1 Timothy 2:11–14 ESV

Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.

Men who have a history of regularly practicing hospitality, who are often having people from the church into their homes in order to minister to them, so that the flock can see how they live, how they manage their household, and if their children are under control with all dignity.

Men who are known to have excellent marriages, happy wives who are thrilled with and in love with their husbands.

3. Character and Godliness

Men who are doctrinally and philosophically unified with the current leadership of the church, especially what is coming from the pulpit. Elders cannot lead the church in multiple and conflicting directions. Though there will always be some doctrinal diversity among the congregation, there must be close doctrinal and philosophical unity among elders in order for them to lead the church. Since the greatest influence of the Word of God comes from the pulpit, the eldership must be aligned with what is being preached. They must have biblical unity, which is being of “the same mind and same judgment” (Rom. 15:5; I Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:4-6; Phil. 1:27; 2:1-2).

But not only that Men who have an unflinching commitment to obey the Word of God, even if it brings persecution, slander, mocking, and reproach. Though humble and meek, an elder qualified man understands that the only way to love God and give Him glory is to obey the Word of God.

Men who are humble. Elder qualified men are content at serving. They don’t need a title, but “humble themselves under the mighty hand of God,” so that God, in His providence, “can exalt them in due time” (I Pet. 5:6). If appointed to the office of elder, they have sensitive consciences in relation to their responsibilities. If they realize they are no longer able to do the work of an elder or that they have become disqualified, they humbly step down, out of love for the Lord, a desire to obey the Word of God, and in order to be good examples to the flock. They are elders because they desire the work, not because they want power, position, title, or prestige.

4. Skilled and Gfited

Men who have a history of being gifted, trained, teachers, disciplers, and counselors of the Word of God, who know the Word of God and theology well enough to exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict.

The Elders are Called to FEED, LEAD and PROTECT God's people.

FEED the Flock (John 21:15-17, 1 Timothy 4:13)

1 Timothy 4:13 ESV

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

LEAD the Flock (1 Peter 5:1-3)

1 Peter 5:1–3 ESV

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

PROTECT the Flock (John 10:11-15, Hebrews 13:17)

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.