Who are the elders of the church?
Introduction. Our question pertains to a subject about which there is much confusion, abuse, and little study in the denominational world. One man, the preacher, controls most local churches in denominationalism. He is called "the pastor;" hence, pastoral government. However, such a practice is foreign to the New Testament (one can be a preacher/elder, though, 1 Pet. 5: 1, 1 Tim. 3: 1 ff.).
The elders or leaders of the local church. There are three Greek words used by the Holy spirit to designate the leaders of the local church, all refer to the same office, if you will. Presbuteros is translated presbyter and elder (1 Tim. 4: 14, Acts 14: 23, respectively, KJV; episkopos (overseer, Acts 20: 28, bishop, 1 Tim. 3: 1); and poimen (pastor, Eph. 4: 11, shepherd, 1 Pet. 5: 2-4, ASV). The inherent idea of these three Greek words and the six corresponding English words is that of one who is older; hence, mature, one who is over, and one who superintends. These leaders have twenty-four strict qualifications that must be present in each prospective elder's life before he is appointed (1 Tim. 3: 1-7, Tit. 1: 5-11). Many of these requirements are typical of the Christian in general (degrees) and some are peculiar to these men (1 Tim. 3: 2, married, have children, vs. 4, etc.).
Their work. The work of elders (presbyters, pastors, shepherds, overseers, bishops) is indicated in the Greek words used to designate them. Elders are to rule, but not be Lords (1 Tim. 5: 17, I Pet. 5: 3). The essential responsibility of elders is to "watch for souls" (Heb. 13: 17). Involved in this watch is the maintaining of pure doctrine and the exposing of all damnable error (Tit. 1: 9-11).
We never read of "the elder or pastor". There were always a plurality (two or more, Acts 14: 23). Their rule was limited to where they served, the local church (1 Pet. 5: 2). The government of the local church as taught in the scriptures is diametrically opposed to the papacy and pastoral systems today.
The elders or leaders of the local church. There are three Greek words used by the Holy spirit to designate the leaders of the local church, all refer to the same office, if you will. Presbuteros is translated presbyter and elder (1 Tim. 4: 14, Acts 14: 23, respectively, KJV; episkopos (overseer, Acts 20: 28, bishop, 1 Tim. 3: 1); and poimen (pastor, Eph. 4: 11, shepherd, 1 Pet. 5: 2-4, ASV). The inherent idea of these three Greek words and the six corresponding English words is that of one who is older; hence, mature, one who is over, and one who superintends. These leaders have twenty-four strict qualifications that must be present in each prospective elder's life before he is appointed (1 Tim. 3: 1-7, Tit. 1: 5-11). Many of these requirements are typical of the Christian in general (degrees) and some are peculiar to these men (1 Tim. 3: 2, married, have children, vs. 4, etc.).
Their work. The work of elders (presbyters, pastors, shepherds, overseers, bishops) is indicated in the Greek words used to designate them. Elders are to rule, but not be Lords (1 Tim. 5: 17, I Pet. 5: 3). The essential responsibility of elders is to "watch for souls" (Heb. 13: 17). Involved in this watch is the maintaining of pure doctrine and the exposing of all damnable error (Tit. 1: 9-11).
We never read of "the elder or pastor". There were always a plurality (two or more, Acts 14: 23). Their rule was limited to where they served, the local church (1 Pet. 5: 2). The government of the local church as taught in the scriptures is diametrically opposed to the papacy and pastoral systems today.
Introduction. Our question pertains to a subject about which there is much confusion, abuse, and little study in the denominational world. One man, the preacher, controls most local churches in denominationalism. He is called "the pastor;" hence, pastoral government. However, such a practice is foreign to the New Testament (one can be a preacher/elder, though, 1 Pet. 5: 1, 1 Tim. 3: 1 ff.).
Our question pertains to a subject about which there is much confusion, abuse, and little study in the denominational world. One man, the preacher, controls most local churches in denominationalism. He is called "the pastor;" hence, pastoral government. However, such a practice is foreign to the New Testament (one can be a preacher/elder, though, 1 Pet. 5: 1, 1 Tim. 3: 1 ff.).
The elders or leaders of the local church. Beloved, there are three Greek words used by the Holy spirit to designate the leaders of the local church, all refer to the same office, if you will. Presbuteros is translated presbyter and elder (1 Tim. 4: 14, Acts 14: 23, respectively, KJV; episkopos (overseer, Acts 20: 28, bishop, 1 Tim. 3: 1); and poimen (pastor, Eph. 4: 11, shepherd, 1 Pet. 5: 2-4, ASV). The inherent idea of these three Greek words and the six corresponding English words is that of one who is older; hence, mature, one who is over, and one who superintends. These leaders have twenty-four strict qualifications that must be present in each prospective elder's life before he is appointed (1 Tim. 3: 1-7, Tit. 1: 5-11). Many of these requirements are typical of the Christian in general (degrees) and some are peculiar to these men (1 Tim. 3: 2, married, have children, vs. 4, etc.).
The work of elders (presbyters, pastors, shepherds, overseers, bishops) is indicated in the Greek words used to designate them. Elders are to rule, but not be Lords (1 Tim. 5: 17, I Pet. 5: 3). The essential responsibility of elders is to "watch for souls" (Heb. 13: 17). Involved in this watch is the maintaining of pure doctrine and the exposing of all damnable error (Tit. 1: 9-11).
We never read of "the elder or pastor." There were always a plurality (two or more, Acts 14: 23). Their rule was limited to where they served, the local church (1 Pet. 5: 2). The government of the local church as taught in the scriptures is diametrically opposed to the papacy and pastoral systems today.. Beloved, there are three Greek words used by the Holy spirit to designate the leaders of the local church, all refer to the same office, if you will. Presbuteros is translated presbyter and elder (1 Tim. 4: 14, Acts 14: 23, respectively, KJV; episkopos (overseer, Acts 20: 28, bishop, 1 Tim. 3: 1); and poimen (pastor, Eph. 4: 11, shepherd, 1 Pet. 5: 2-4, ASV). The inherent idea of these three Greek words and the six corresponding English words is that of one who is older; hence, mature, one who is over, and one who superintends. These leaders have twenty-four strict qualifications that must be present in each prospective elder's life before he is appointed (1 Tim. 3: 1-7, Tit. 1: 5-11). Many of these requirements are typical of the Christian in general (degrees) and some are peculiar to these men (1 Tim. 3: 2, married, have children, vs. 4, etc.).
The work of elders (presbyters, pastors, shepherds, overseers, bishops) is indicated in the Greek words used to designate them. Elders are to rule, but not be Lords (1 Tim. 5: 17, I Pet. 5: 3). The essential responsibility of elders is to "watch for souls" (Heb. 13: 17). Involved in this watch is the maintaining of pure doctrine and the exposing of all damnable error (Tit. 1: 9-11).
We never read of "the elder or pastor." There were always a plurality (two or more, Acts 14: 23). Their rule was limited to where they served, the local church (1 Pet. 5: 2). The government of the local church as taught in the scriptures is diametrically opposed to the papacy and pastoral systems today.
Our question pertains to a subject about which there is much confusion, abuse, and little study in the denominational world. One man, the preacher, controls most local churches in denominationalism. He is called "the pastor;" hence, pastoral government. However, such a practice is foreign to the New Testament (one can be a preacher/elder, though, 1 Pet. 5: 1, 1 Tim. 3: 1 ff.).
The elders or leaders of the local church. Beloved, there are three Greek words used by the Holy spirit to designate the leaders of the local church, all refer to the same office, if you will. Presbuteros is translated presbyter and elder (1 Tim. 4: 14, Acts 14: 23, respectively, KJV; episkopos (overseer, Acts 20: 28, bishop, 1 Tim. 3: 1); and poimen (pastor, Eph. 4: 11, shepherd, 1 Pet. 5: 2-4, ASV). The inherent idea of these three Greek words and the six corresponding English words is that of one who is older; hence, mature, one who is over, and one who superintends. These leaders have twenty-four strict qualifications that must be present in each prospective elder's life before he is appointed (1 Tim. 3: 1-7, Tit. 1: 5-11). Many of these requirements are typical of the Christian in general (degrees) and some are peculiar to these men (1 Tim. 3: 2, married, have children, vs. 4, etc.).
The work of elders (presbyters, pastors, shepherds, overseers, bishops) is indicated in the Greek words used to designate them. Elders are to rule, but not be Lords (1 Tim. 5: 17, I Pet. 5: 3). The essential responsibility of elders is to "watch for souls" (Heb. 13: 17). Involved in this watch is the maintaining of pure doctrine and the exposing of all damnable error (Tit. 1: 9-11).
We never read of "the elder or pastor." There were always a plurality (two or more, Acts 14: 23). Their rule was limited to where they served, the local church (1 Pet. 5: 2). The government of the local church as taught in the scriptures is diametrically opposed to the papacy and pastoral systems today.. Beloved, there are three Greek words used by the Holy spirit to designate the leaders of the local church, all refer to the same office, if you will. Presbuteros is translated presbyter and elder (1 Tim. 4: 14, Acts 14: 23, respectively, KJV; episkopos (overseer, Acts 20: 28, bishop, 1 Tim. 3: 1); and poimen (pastor, Eph. 4: 11, shepherd, 1 Pet. 5: 2-4, ASV). The inherent idea of these three Greek words and the six corresponding English words is that of one who is older; hence, mature, one who is over, and one who superintends. These leaders have twenty-four strict qualifications that must be present in each prospective elder's life before he is appointed (1 Tim. 3: 1-7, Tit. 1: 5-11). Many of these requirements are typical of the Christian in general (degrees) and some are peculiar to these men (1 Tim. 3: 2, married, have children, vs. 4, etc.).
The work of elders (presbyters, pastors, shepherds, overseers, bishops) is indicated in the Greek words used to designate them. Elders are to rule, but not be Lords (1 Tim. 5: 17, I Pet. 5: 3). The essential responsibility of elders is to "watch for souls" (Heb. 13: 17). Involved in this watch is the maintaining of pure doctrine and the exposing of all damnable error (Tit. 1: 9-11).
We never read of "the elder or pastor." There were always a plurality (two or more, Acts 14: 23). Their rule was limited to where they served, the local church (1 Pet. 5: 2). The government of the local church as taught in the scriptures is diametrically opposed to the papacy and pastoral systems today.