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.
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.
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.
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:
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
pres-boo'-ter-os
Root: comparative of presbus (elderly)
Part of Speech: adj
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 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.
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.
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'
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.
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
poy-mah'ee-no
Part of Speech: v
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.
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
hayg-eh'-om-ahee
Part of Speech: v
Vine's Words: Rule,
Strong's
Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
Brother
Eaton
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