“qualifications and work of elders” “our responsibility to the elders”

““Qualifications and Work of Elders”Qualifications and Work of Elders”

“Our Responsibility to the Elders”“Our Responsibility to the Elders”

WE MUST DO THIS SCRIPTURALLY

A Biblical EldershipA Biblical Eldership

1. In every congregation – a plural number appointed (never just one)

2. Each congregation was autonomous

3. Paul appointed elders “in every church” Acts 14:23Acts 14:23

Biblical Terms for EldersBiblical Terms for Elders

“Elders” (“presbuteros”, presbyters) for they were mature Christian men

Acts 14:23 Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.


“Elders” (“presbuteros”, presbyters) for they were mature men

“Bishops” (“episkopos”, overseers) for their task was to oversee the

congregation.

Acts20:28 Acts20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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.




congregation.

“Pastors” (“poimen”, shepherds) for their task was to shepherd and feed the flock of God.

Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2




congregation.

“Pastors” (“poimen”, shepherds) for their task was to shepherd and feed the flock of God.

Not three distinct offices, but different ways to describe the same men and their work.

Qualification of EldersQualification of Elders1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-91 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9

Temperate –

Self-denying, self-controlled; watchful over self

Sober –

Of sound mind, with mature judgment, self-restrained, one who is not under the control of passions

Good Behavior–

Well-mannered; well ordered life, modest

Qualification of EldersQualification of Elders

Given to hospitality – Given to hospitality –

Friendly, helpful to strangers

Apt to Teach –Apt to Teach –

Capable and ready to teach. Could be through various mediums: class, one-on-one, through their example

Desire the work

Wants to serve the Lord in a leadership role

1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-91 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9


He must not be a novice –He must not be a novice – Or a new convertOr a new convert

He must not have quick temper –He must not have quick temper – Not vengeful, hotheaded, or impulsive Not vengeful, hotheaded, or impulsive

with his feelingswith his feelings

He must not be self-willed –He must not be self-willed – Or not haughty, overbearing, and Or not haughty, overbearing, and

arrogantarrogant



He must not be given to wine –He must not be given to wine – One who does not drink wine and other One who does not drink wine and other

intoxicating drinksintoxicating drinksHe must not be a brawler –He must not be a brawler –

Or not one who is given to strife or apt to Or not one who is given to strife or apt to fightfight

He must not be a striker –He must not be a striker – Or not one who is quarrelsome, Or not one who is quarrelsome,

pugnacious or physically combatant, a pugnacious or physically combatant, a man of peaceman of peace



He must not be greedy –He must not be greedy – Or not one who gets money by Or not one who gets money by

dishonorable means, free from love of dishonorable means, free from love of moneymoney

He must not be covetous –He must not be covetous – A lover of money and material things of the A lover of money and material things of the

worldworld



He must be husband of one wife –He must be husband of one wife – Male (husband) having one wifeMale (husband) having one wife

He must have believing children –He must have believing children – Who faithfully love and obey GodWho faithfully love and obey God

He must be of good behavior –He must be of good behavior – Dignified, modest, godly behaviorDignified, modest, godly behavior



He must be vigilant –He must be vigilant – Alert and watchful over his own conductAlert and watchful over his own conduct

He must be patient –He must be patient – Man of mild and kind demeanorMan of mild and kind demeanor



He must be just –He must be just – Upright and fair in his dealings with othersUpright and fair in his dealings with others

He must be gentle –He must be gentle – Not unkind, or harsh, or unfairNot unkind, or harsh, or unfair

He must be devout–He must be devout– Fully dedicated and consecrated to the Fully dedicated and consecrated to the

LordLord



He must love what is good–He must love what is good– Not seeking to participate with evil men Not seeking to participate with evil men

in their schemes, love what God defines in their schemes, love what God defines as goodas good

He must be given to hospitality –He must be given to hospitality – Concerned about the welfare of others Concerned about the welfare of others

both strangers and brethrenboth strangers and brethren



He must be able to --He must be able to -- Exhort and refute the “gainsayers”Exhort and refute the “gainsayers” And with sound doctrine protect the And with sound doctrine protect the

flock against false teachersflock against false teachers

He must be blameless –He must be blameless – Not perfect, but “upright”, a man against Not perfect, but “upright”, a man against

whom no charge of immorality, or whom no charge of immorality, or holding false doctrine is allegedholding false doctrine is alleged


Qualification of EldersQualification of EldersTo himself and his homeTo himself and his home

To take heed to himself –To take heed to himself – Be humble, dedicated, and Christ-likeBe humble, dedicated, and Christ-like

Rule well his own family –Rule well his own family – Doing this he gains experience to rule Doing this he gains experience to rule

over the “family of God”over the “family of God”

Hold fast to the Word –Hold fast to the Word – Respect it, teach it, stand for it, and Respect it, teach it, stand for it, and

defend itdefend it



Every qualification for an elder is a Every qualification for an elder is a qualification for a Christian, except:qualification for a Christian, except:

- MaleMale

- MarriedMarried

- Believing (Faithful) ChildrenBelieving (Faithful) Children

- Desire the workDesire the work


Responsibilities of Responsibilities of the Eldersthe Elders

The Work of an Elder The Work of an Elder Involves . . . Involves . . .

Providing Example inProviding Example in

Character and ConductCharacter and Conduct1.

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow…”

1 Peter 5:3 “ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being

examples to the flock.”


Providing Example in Providing Example in

Character and ConductCharacter and Conduct

Leadership involves showing, not just telling

1.


Planning, Decision-making,Planning, Decision-making,and Directionand Direction

“Rule” “take care of” “manage”

Like a husband / father deals with his family

1Tim. 3:51 Timothy 3:5 “for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?

2.


Planning, Decision-making,Planning, Decision-making,

and Directionand Direction2.

“Oversight” – supervision of worship, teaching, and (flock) members

1 Peter 5:2 “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof…”



and Directionand Direction

“Oversight” – supervision of worship and teaching 1 Peter 5:2

--- “Benevolence” under oversight of elders – Acts 11:29-30

2.




Decision-making is a means of “shepherding” the flock

Acts 20:28 “…the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

1 Peter 5:2 NKJV “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers”

2.


Planning, Decision-making,Planning, Decision-making,and Directionand Direction

Much involves organizing and coordinating

• Formulating common goals

• Assigning work

• Seeing that each member is doing their best

• Seeing that all are working well together

2.




See that everything is “done for edification”

1 Cor. 14:26

and “done decently and in order”

1 Cor. 14:40

2.


Prayer Prayer James 5:14-16

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him...

3.


Prayer Prayer James 5:14-16

If Elders to pray for our physical needs….

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” -- Jas. 5:16

Great good is accomplished by the prayers of godly elders.

3.


Teaching Teaching Eph. 4:11 1 Tim. 3:2

1 Tim. 5:17 Heb. 13:7

4.



1 Tim. 5:17 Heb. 13:7

11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

4.



1 Tim. 5:17 Heb. 13:7

“A bishop then must be … able to teach”

4.



1 Tim. 5:17 Heb. 13:7

“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those

who labor in the word and doctrine.”

4.



1 Tim. 5:17 Heb. 13:7

“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you …”

4.



1 Tim. 5:17 Heb. 13:7

• Public assemblies, private teaching, example

• Positive teaching and refuting error (Tit 1:9-11)

• Supervising other teachers, preachers, literature

• Developing additional leaders

• Stimulating spiritual growth

4.


Providing Counsel Providing Counsel Heb. 13:7, 17

Wise advice and guidance

As one who is watching for the souls of others.

5.

Heb. 13:7 “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.”


Providing Counsel Providing Counsel Heb. 13:7, 17

Men of godliness and wisdom

Men of maturity, stable, sound judgment, so brethren will be inclined to seek their advice and help.

5.


Admonish, warn, rebuke, correct Admonish, warn, rebuke, correct

1 Thess. 5:12-14

If problems not dealt with, they invite crisis and catastrophe.

1Thess. 5:12 “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you”

Cf. Ezek. 3:16-21

6.


Admonish, warn, rebuke, correct Admonish, warn, rebuke, correct

1 Thess. 5:12-14

Admonish, warn, rebuke, discipline

Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15; Rev. 2:14-16, 20-24

Cf. Ezek. 3:16-21

Unpentanent individuals may have to be disciplined

6.

The Work of an Elder The Work of an Elder

They must continue to grow spiritually themselves . . .

Faithful shepherds have a glorious reward awaiting them -- 1 Peter 5:1-4

“The elders who are among you I exhort . . . and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

The Church’s The Church’s Responsibilities to EldersResponsibilities to Elders

I. A Congregation Is To I. A Congregation Is To Remember their Elders Remember their Elders

Hebrews 13:7Hebrews 13:7 - - Remember those Remember those who rule over you, who have who rule over you, who have

spoken the word of God to you, spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering whose faith follow, considering the outcome of the outcome of their conducttheir conduct..

II. A Congregation Is To Obey II. A Congregation Is To Obey And Submit To Its Elders And Submit To Its Elders

Hebrews 13:17Hebrews 13:17 ObeyObey those who rule over those who rule over you, and be you, and be submissivesubmissive, for they watch out , for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for with grief, for that would be unprofitable for youyou..

I Timothy 5:17I Timothy 5:17 "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor..."

Jack Lewis- Jack Lewis- Leadership Questions Leadership Questions Confronting the ChurchConfronting the Church “Rule means what it means…

elders are in authority and the church is to submit to that authority, to their rule…”

Two words are used… proistemi and hegeisthai

“…have the sense of ‘to lead’ but in each case the context forces the meaning ‘to care for’.

THE CHURCH IS NOT A THE CHURCH IS NOT A DEMOCRACYDEMOCRACY

Ephesians 1:22-23 Ephesians 1:22-23 ““And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

The church is a theocracy with the Lord The church is a theocracy with the Lord Jesus Christ as its head with trusted, proven, Jesus Christ as its head with trusted, proven, biblically approved elders carrying out biblically approved elders carrying out HisHis wishes. wishes.

III. A Congregation Is To Honor III. A Congregation Is To Honor and Recognize Its Elders and Recognize Its Elders

1 Tim. 5:171 Tim. 5:17

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

1 Thess. 5:121 Thess. 5:12

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord


1 Thess. 5:131 Thess. 5:13

and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake


1 Tim. 5:19

Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses

IV. Receive no Accusation of IV. Receive no Accusation of Elder without ProofElder without Proof

The Work of an Elder The Work of an Elder Should be a work of JOY!Should be a work of JOY!

Heb. 13:17

“Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, … Let them do this with joy …”

Let us appreciate their “stewardship”

Our thanks, honor, esteem, & respect

The elders have put forth two The elders have put forth two men before the congregation:men before the congregation:

Wayne PriceWayne Price Brian HallBrian Hall

GOD’S SIMPLE PLAN FOR SALVATION

hearhearbelievebelieve

repentrepentconfessconfess

baptismbaptismACTS 3:22ACTS 3:22

JN. 6:29JN. 6:29

LK. 13:3LK. 13:3

JN. 12:42JN. 12:42

1 PET. 3:211 PET. 3:21Rev. 2:10Rev. 2:10

“qualifications and work of elders” “our responsibility to the elders”

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