Jon Gary Williams
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Article 24 - The Eldership

The Eldership

Jon Gary Williams

Introduction

Wearing the name "elder" is not an honorary title bestowed on men. The eldership is not a place designed for personal pride or ambition. Rather, it is a position of service. It embraces a task to be performed. It involves a sacred trust over a congregation of God's people and consists of one of man's greatest responsibilities. There is no higher place man can hold in the service of God, for it carries with it the charge of souls. (I Pet. 5:1-4; Heb. 13:17)

I. What is the Eldership?

A. The eldership of the Lord's church is set forth in three different Greek words.


B. The eldership, therefore, is to be made up of men who are older in the faith, capable of overseeing the affairs of a congregation and able to adequately lead.

II. Who Can Hold the Position of Elder?

A. The New Testament places certain restrictions on who can hold this position.

B. Qualifications for this position are listed in I Tim. 3:2-7 and Tit. 1:6-9


III. The Qualifications

A. Character (five negative and eight positive statements)



B. Experience


C. Reputation

D. Domestic relations


E. Intellect

IV. What Are the Responsibilities of Elders?

A. "take heed" (Acts 20:28) - Prosecho (Προσεχο - "to hold to") - to turn attention to; to carefully watch; to guard

B. "feed the flock" (I Pet. 5:2; Acts 20:28) - Poimaino (Ποιμαινο - "to tend, to feed") - to provide for the flock

C. "support the weak"
(Acts 20:35) - Antilambano (Αντιλαμβανο - "to hold to, to take instead of, to help) - to assist those who cannot adequately provide for themselves

D. "ensamples (examples) to the flock"
(I Pet. 5:3) - Tupos (Τυποσ - "to strike" [to leave an impression], the mark of a blow) - a pattern, a model, an example

V. What is the Responsibility of a Congregation to its Elders?

A. "esteem them" (I Thess. 5:12,13) - Hegeomai (-εγεομαι - "to consider, to account, to elevate") - to elevate these men, to esteem and respect them for their work (cf. I Tim. 5:17)

B. "obey them" (Heb. 13:17) - Peitho (Πειθο - "to be persuaded, to listen to") - to take their advice and follow it

C. "submit yourselves" (Heb. 13:17) - Hupeiko (-υπεικο - "to withdraw, to yield to") - to be willing to be under them, to submit and consent to their authority