Church Government: The Eldership
I. The Office: (1 Timothy 3:1).
1. Uses of word Elder.
Originally the authority seems naturally invested in those who by virtue of greater age and
consequently, experience, were best fitted to govern. Later the idea of age became merged in
that of dignity and experience.
a. Word is used adj ectively to denote seniority (Lk. 15:25; Mk. 8:31).
b. Refening to Jewish Elders of the Synagogues (Matt. 16:21; Mk. 8:31; Lk. 9:22; Acts 4:6).
c. Denotes certain persons appointed in local churches to exercise spiritual oversight over its
members (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Titus 1:5).
d. Elder, in the last sense, is used synonymously with bishop and pastor, referring to the same
office and work (Eph. 4:11; Acts 20:17, 28). "And -- he -- called to him the elders of the
church -- Take heed unto yourselves andto all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made
you bishops, to feed(pastor) the Church --." Titus 1:5-7. "For this cause I left thee in Crete,
- and appoint elders in every city-For the bishop must be blameless as God‘s steward--."
2. The responsibility and work of an Elder.
a. To feed the Church (Acts 20:28).
b. Guard the flock from false teachers (Acts 20:29-31).
c. Ruling the Church (Rom. 12:8; I Tim. 5:17).
1. "Not as lords but as examples" (I Pet. 5:3).
d. Tending the flock, "Exercising the oversight thereof‘ (I Pet. 5:2).
e. "Watching in behalf of souls" (Heb. 13:17).
II. The Qualifications of an Elder:
1. I Tim. 3:2-7. Without reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, soberminded, orderly, given
to hospitality, apt to teach, no brawler, no striker, gentle, not contentious, no lover of money,
ruling well his own household, not a novice, of good reputation without.
2. Titus 1:6-9. Blameless, husband of one wife, self control, sober-minded, given to hospitality,
able to exhort and convict the gainsayer, no brawler, no striker, not soon angry, not self willed,
not greedy of filthy lucre, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly,
just holy, a lover of good.
3. Not self appointed (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).
III. Our Duty Toward Elders:
1. 1 Tim.5:17,18.
2. Not to hear accusations except at mouth of two or three witnesses (I Tim. 5:19).
3. Obey and respect them (Heb. 13:17).
Questions For Discussion:
1. How was position of an Elder set forth (I Tim. 3:1)?
2. How was the term "elder" originally used?
3. Give some examples of its usage.
4. What, finally, did the term come to mean?
5. Name some of the terms that were used to designate the elders.
6. What of the responsibility of the eldership?
7. Specify the qualifications of elders.
8. Name the negative traits of their qualifications.
9. Point out the positive traits of their qualifications.
10. What is the duty of the members toward the Elders?.