A study in the ELDERSHIP of the church

A study in the “ELDERSHIP” of the church

God’s word is very specific in regard to the organization of the church. “Elders” were to be appointed in every church (Acts 14:23) and were also called “pastors” (Ephesians 4:11). They are referred to as “shepherds” in 1 Peter 5:2-4; “rulers” in Hebrews 13:17. Elders were also called “bishops or overseers” in Acts 20:28 and 1 Timothy 3:1ff. There is much confusion in regard to what God has mandated. Too often we see young ministers taking on the title of pastor, but have no concept of what the requirements are. The term of pastor is used by the denominational world and many think that it is OK to use it within the true church. Our study here is to simplify what the word of God has to say…no opinion, just scripture.

You will find those scriptures below along with the Greek words used in the original language. Check it out for yourself.

Listed here are the qualifications of an “elder, pastor, shepherd, ruler, overseer.” All these words are interchangeable in the work of these individuals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

       1.  Blameless  

       2.  Husband of one wife (must be married)

       3.  Must have children whom are obedient

           believers and faithful to the Lord.

       4.  Not self-willed

       5.  Not  easily angered

       6.  Not one who uses wine (or alcohol)

       7.  Not a striker

       8.  Not one who lusts after money

       9.  One who is hospitable

10. One who has a love for good in man

11. One who is sober

12. One who is just in his decisions

13. One who practices “Holiness”

14. One who has a good temperament

15. One who holds fast to the doctrine of Christ

16. One who stands firm and has ability to exhort others

17. Must be a good teacher

18. Must rule his own family well

19. Must not be a novice (new convert)

20. Must have a good report from those in world and those in the church

Those who are appointed by their brethren are worthy of a double honor as they bear a grave responsibility in keeping watch over the congregations where they serve.  These men must be fully qualified in all of the areas I have listed from the scriptures below.

Scriptures:

Elders

Acts 14:23 (KJV)
²³ And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

1 Timothy 5:17 (KJV)
¹⁷ Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Titus 1:5-9 (KJV)
⁵ For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
⁶ If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
⁷ For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
⁸ But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
⁹ Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

James 5:14 (KJV)
¹⁴ Is any sick among you? 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:

Greek Word: πρεσβύτερος

Transliteration: presbyteros

Phonetic Pronunciation:pres-boo'-ter-os

Root: comparative of presbus (elderly)

Part of Speech: adj

Vine's Words: Elder

Bishop

Philippians 1:1 (KJV)
¹ Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)
¹ This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
² A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
³ Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
⁴ One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
⁵ (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
⁶ Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
⁷ Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Titus 1:6-11 (KJV)
⁶ If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
⁷ For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
⁸ But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
⁹ Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
¹⁰ For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
¹¹ Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Greek Word: ἐπισκοπή

Transliteration: episkopē

Phonetic Pronunciation:ep-is-kop-ay'

Part of Speech: n

Vine's Words: Bishop

 Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

Overseers

Acts 20:28 (KJV)
²⁸ Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Greek Word: ποιμαίνω

Transliteration: poimainō

Phonetic Pronunciation:poy-mah'ee-no

Part of Speech: v

Vine's Words: Feed, Rule

 Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

Rulers

Hebrews 13:17 (KJV)
¹⁷ Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Greek Word: ἡγέομαι

Transliteration: hēgeomai

Phonetic Pronunciation:hayg-eh'-om-ahee

Part of Speech: v

Vine's Words: Rule,

 Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

Brother Eaton

The Church Jesus Built

Written by Charles Box
The Church of Christ is not a physical building nor is it a denomination. It is the blood-bought body of Christ. Paul wrote by inspiration of God, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27). At the end of time the church which is the kingdom of God will be delivered up to God, the father. “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet” (1 Corinthians 15:24-25). If you will do what the Bible teaches, the Lord will save you and add you to His church.
The church Jesus built is made up of saved people (Matthew 16:18-19). Jesus did not build a denomination. His interest is not in a physical building. The Church of Christ is a living organism. It is composed of people saved by the blood of Jesus. If you have read your Bible, you have read about the Church of Christ. The Church of Christ exists anywhere people follow the Bible and the Bible only (Acts 2:38-47).
The church Jesus built is God’s promised kingdom (Daniel 2:44-45). The church is that kingdom which shall stand forever. The eternal kingdom was established in the days of the Roman kings. This was during the lifetime of some who heard Jesus speak. “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power” (Mark 9:1).
The church Jesus built wears a Bible name that honors Him (Romans 16:16). The name “church of Christ” is a Bible name, and it is a name big enough to embrace all the saved. The Bible gives no specific name for the church. It does, however, identify the church with several Bible expressions. The members of this body are known simply as Christians (1 Peter 4:15-16).
The church Jesus built worships according to the New Testament pattern (Acts 2:42). The day of worship is the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). On each Sunday, we sing (Ephesians 5:19), study God’s Word (Acts 20:7), pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18), give (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) and observe the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Only these Bible things are done in worship! We cannot conclude our discussion of New Testament worship without looking at Paul’s warning to the Colossians. The apostle warned them not to be beguiled by religious ordinances that are merely “the commandments and doctrines of men.” He cautioned that such ordinances “have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body, not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh” (Colossians 2:18-22).
The church Jesus built has no religious guide but the Bible (John 17:17). Churches of Christ have no “creed books,” “manuals” or “confessions of faith.” Our only rule of faith is the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Wise men and women learn to obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him. There is nothing more important in life than following the teachings of the Bible and trusting God to care for your needs.
It is in harmony with the Bible to use the name Church of Christ, to call oneself a Christian and to accept Jesus as the only Head of the church. It is scriptural to accept the Bible as the only rule of faith, to plead for unity in Jesus and to follow the Bible pattern in worship. Those who follow the Bible are Christians, members of the Church of Christ. Will you be baptized into Christ to put on Christ so that your sins can be forgiven by His blood? “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). Believers contact Christ’s saving blood by being baptized into His death. John said, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11-12).
We join with Paul in saying, “To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:21). Are you a faithful member of the Church of Christ?

When was the Lord's Church Established?

When Was The Church Established?
By Travis L. Quertermous

This is a question that often evokes serious debate. Some say during the ministry of John the Baptist, others say during the ministry of Jesus Christ. But if we let the Bible explain itself, the answer is easy to find. About six months prior to His death, Jesus promised, “I will build my church…” (Matt. 16:18). Notice that this statement is in the future tense—He had not yet established His church, but soon would. Also, in Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus identified His church with the kingdom of heaven (as He often did, cf. Matt. 13:1-52). Thus, if we can learn when the kingdom was established, then we can also know when the church began.
A simple combination of three passages (Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4) helps us to understand when the church (or kingdom) began. In Mark 9:1, Jesus predicted, “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” (If the kingdom is not yet in existence, as many teach, there must be some mighty old folks around somewhere!) So the kingdom would come with power. According to Acts 1:8, the power would come with the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Therefore, the kingdom/church was established on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ. Thus, it is no surprise to read at the end of Acts chapter 2, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (2:47).
Has the Lord added you to His church? Have you been saved (Acts 2:37-38)?
Why not visit with us to find out?

- Travis L. Quertermous preaches for the church of Christ in Dexter, MO. He may be contacted at minister.church@sbcglobal.net or through the church’s website:http://www.dexterchurchofchrist.com/