Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Paul ’s Letters to the Churches

0 On the first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas appointed a body of elders in all the churches of Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Yet in his letter to these churches, Paul doesn’t once address the elders (assuming that the churches of Acts 13:14 14221 are the same as those of Gal. 1:2). Instead, Paul writes: “Brethren [brothers and sisters] even if a man [or woman] is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual [not just elders], restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 621,2; italics added). 0 Disorder and sin in the church at Corinth had to be dealt with, yet in Paul’s letter to the church, he calls upon no one person or group to resolve the problems. Does this mean there was no one to call upon? Not at all! Paul could have called upon the dedi cated Stephanas (1 Cor. 16215-18); Gaius, in whose home the church met (Rom. 16:23); Erastus, the city treasurer (Rom. 16:23); Crispus, a converted chief ruler of the synagogue (Acts 1828); or a number of other gifted men and prophets (1 Cor. 125,7). He could easily have asked one'of these men to help the congrega tion resolve its problems, but, as always, he addresses the entire gathering of holy saints (1 Cor. 1:2). 0 In 1 Thessalonians 5212,13, Paul calls upon the congregation to highly esteem and love those who take the lead and give instruc tion. Hence we know that some form of leadership was in place in the church. But in his two letters to the Thessalonians, Paul never calls upon these leading men to correct problems within the church. Instead, he says, “Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11). 0 The letter to the Philippians best illustrates Paul’s practice of addressing the entire congregation. Despite his brief greeting to the overseers and deacons (Phil. 121), Paul addresses the rest of the letter (except for 422,3) “to all the saints.”

0 Peter and James also address the churches in the same manner. Each one writes to congregations in which the presence of elders

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