The Elders and the Local Church

The Elders and the Local Church “elders in every church” Acts 14:23

Biblical terms • Elder = πρεσβύτερος = older, mature man (wisdom) • Bishop = ἐπίσκοπος = oversee, supervise (governing, managing) • Pastor = ποιμήν = shepherd (teaching)

Biblical terms • Elders are bishops (Acts 20:17, 28; Tit. 1:5, 7) and elders are pastors (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2) • Elders, bishops, and pastors (1) are always used in the plural and (2) are always used the masculine (males)

Biblical terms • Elder = πρεσβύτερος = older, mature man (wisdon) • Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; 1 Tim. 4:14 (presbytery); 5:17, 19; Tit. 1:5; Jas. 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1

Biblical terms • Bishop = ἐπίσκοπος = oversee, supervise (governing, managing) • Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-2; Tit. 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:2 (ἐπισκοπέω = look diligently, intently)

Biblical terms • Pastor = ποιμήν = shepherd (teaching) • Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:2 (see Jn. 21:26 and 1 Pet. 5:1)

The shepherdsleading the sheep

Feed the church Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28)

Feed the church Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind (1 Pet. 5:2)

Feed the church • Feed with God’s word • Pastors are “teachers” (Eph. 4:11) • “Exhort in the sound doctrine” (Tit. 1:9)

Watch the church Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears (Acts 20:31)

Watch the church Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you (Heb. 13:17)

Watch the church • Wolves and error taught • Souls of the members

Help the church In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)

Oversee the church Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28; see Phil. 1:1)

Oversee the church Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, (1) not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; (2) nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind… (1 Pet. 5:2)

Oversee the church (3) neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock (1 Pet. 5:3)

Oversee the church • Money matters (Acts 11:30) • Religious disputes (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4) • Religious judgments (Acts 21:18)

Perfect the church And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12)

Labor for the church But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you (1 Thess. 5:12)

Labor for the church and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves (1 Thess. 5:13)

Labor for the church Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching (1 Tim. 5:17)

Lead the church But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you (1 Thess. 5:12; προΐστημι = to lead by standing before)

Lead the church Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching (1 Tim. 5:17)

Lead the church Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith (Heb. 13:7; ἡγέομαι = to lead the way)

Lead the church Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you (Heb. 13:17)

Lead the church Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you (Heb. 13:24)

Admonish the church But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you (1 Thess. 5:12)

Care for the church but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? ( 1 Tim. 3:5)

Exhort and convict the church holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers (Tit. 1:9; see also Tit. 1:11 and 1:13)

Pray for the church Is any 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 (James 5:14)

Set the example for the church neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves exsamples to the flock (1 Pet. 5:3)

The shepherds leading the sheep • Feeding • Watching • Helping • Overseeing • Perfecting • Laboring • Leading • Admonishing • Caring • Exhort/convict • Praying • Example setting

The sheepfollowing the shepherds

Know the elders But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Esteem the elders and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves (1 Thess. 5:13)

Be at peace with the elders and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves (1 Thess. 5:13)

Honor the elders Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching (1 Tim. 5:17)

Protect the elders Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses (1 Tim. 5:19)

Reprove the elders Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear (1 Tim. 5:20)

Imitate the elders Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith (Heb. 13:7)

Obey the elders Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you (Heb. 13:17)

Greet the elders Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you (Heb. 13:24)

Call for the elders Is any 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 (James 5:14)

The sheep following the shepherds • Knowing • Esteeming • Being at peace • Honoring • Protecting • Reproving • Imitating • Obey/Submitting • Greeting • Calling

The Elders and the Local Church