FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (9)

Elders, Bishops, Presbyters

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The Bible teaches that God is a God of order.

1.    When things were chaotic in the worship of the church at Corinth, God gave a commandment for order to exist (1 Cor. 14:40).

 

Let all things be done decently and in order.

 

2.    Titus was left on the isle of Crete in order to provide order the churches there (Titus 1:5).

 

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting…

 

B.   Order can only exist when leadership is in place.

1.    God put men as the head of the household (Eph. 5:25).

2.    God put authorities in the government of nations (Rom. 13:1).

3.    God assigned His Son to be the Head of the church (Col. 1:18).

4.    God established a body of men within the local congregation to be the “rulers” over the members (1 Tim. 5:17).

 

C.   This lesson continues our series entitled:  “Foundational Truths.”  The subject of today’s lesson is:  “Elders, Bishops, Presbyters.”

 

I.             A PLURALITY OF MEN

 

A.   When God organized the local congregation, He did not put one man to be in charge of the affairs of the church.  One-man rule presents an extremely dangerous environment as proven by Diotrephes (3 John 9).

 

B.   God authorized a plurality of man to be within the eldership.

1.    Acts 14:23

 

And when they had ordained them elders in every church…

 

2.    Titus 1:5

 

For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain them elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.

 

3.    Philippians 1:1

 

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

 

C.   There is not one church about which we read in the New Testament that had one-man rule that was approved by God.

 

II.           A PLURALITY OF NAMES

 

A.   In the churches of Christ, we refer to this body of men as elders.  This is done to distinguish us from other religious groups that have men labelled with other scriptural names.

 

B.   There are three Greek words that refer to the men in authority in the local congregation.  Each of these three Greek words is translated by two English words.  Thus, there are six different English words that refer officers of authority in the local congregation.

 

#1:  GREEK WORD:  Presbuteros

 

English Words

 

1.     Elders (Jam. 5:14)

Is any sick among you:  let him call for the elders (presbuteros) of the church…

 

2.     Presbytery (1 Tim. 4:14)

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (presbuteron).

 

 

#2:  GREEK WORD:  Episkope

 

English Words

 

1.     Bishop (1 Tim. 3:1)

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office a bishop (episcope), he desireth a good work.

 

2.     Overseers (Acts 20:28)

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers (episkopos)…

 

 

#3:  GREEK WORD:  poimen

 

1.     Pastors (Eph. 4:11)

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors (poimen) and teachers.

 

2.     Shepherd (1 Pet.5:2)

Feed (poimaino) the flock of God which is among you…

 

The instruction is to feed the flock

The one who feeds a flock is the shepherd.
It could have been translated: “Sheperd the flock of God which is among you…”

 

C.   How do we know these three Greek words and six English words refer to the same body of men?

1.    Acts 20

a.    Paul called for the elders of the church (v. 17).

b.    He referred to them as overseers (v. 28).

c.    He commanded them “to feed” (poimaino) the church of God.

2.    1 Peter 5

a.    Peter addresses the elders (v. 1)

b.    He admonishes them “to feed” (poimaino) the flock of God which was among them (v. 2).

c.    He then exhorts them to take the oversight (episkopeo) of the church (v. 2).

 

D.   These words reveal various things to us about the eldership within the church.

1.    They are elders or presbyters.

a.    They are older men.

b.    They are not novices in the faith.

2.    They are bishops or overseers.

a.    They watch over the members of the church.

b.    They make decisions in various matters of option in the church.

3.    They are pastors or bishops.

a.    They are the shepherds.

b.    They feed, take care of, and protect the members of the church.

c.    They are the ones who “go before” the congregation, that is, they take the lead, and the sheep follow.

 

III.         A PLURALITY OF QUALIFICATIONS

 

A.   Not just any Christian can be a part of the eldership.  There are qualifications that God has given that must be met on the part of the persons who hold the office.

 

B.   The qualifications are found in 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

1.    There are a total of 24 qualifications.

2.    There are 15 positive qualifications and 9 negatives. (Ex., Titus 1:7)

 

A bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed…

 

3.    Some of the areas involved:

a.    Family:  husband with children

b.    Leadership: ruleth well his own house

c.    Character:  sober, just, holy

d.    Maturity:  not a novice

e.    Talents:  apt to teach

f.     Relationships:  hospitality, lover of good men, good report from them that are without

 

IV.         A PLURALITY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

 

A.   Positions in the body of Christ are not figure heads.  Every position comes with a great deal of responsibility.  This is true of the elders.

 

B.   A list of obligations:

1.    Take heed to themselves (Acts 20:28)

2.    Feed the flock (Acts 20:28)

3.    Admonish the members (1 Thess. 5:12)

4.    Rule well (1 Tim. 5:17)

5.    Hold fast the faithful word (Tit. 1:9)

6.    Exhort and convince the gainsayers (Tit. 1:9)

7.    Watch for the souls of the members (Heb. 13:17)

8.    Take the oversight of the congregation (1 Pet. 5:2)

9.    Be examples to the flock (1 Pet. 5:3)

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   The position of an elder should involve the respect of the members

1.    Esteem them very highly for their work’s sake (1 Thess. 5:13).

2.    …be counted worthy of double honor (1 Tim. 5:17).

3.    They are to be obeyed and submitted to (Heb. 13:17).

 

B.   These men will give an account one day to the chief Shepherd, Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 5:4).

 

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory.