Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

CHAPTER 11

Peter’s Instruction to the Asian Elders

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown ofglory.” 1 Peter 524

who were scattered throughout the Roman provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1). He most likely wrote this letter from Rome in approximately AD. 63. In it, he directly addresses the elders of the churches of northwestern Asia Minor. The fact that Peter can address in one letter the elders of churches in five Roman provinces demonstrates that the elder system of gov ernment was standard practice. It is also noteworthy that Peter uses the designation, elder, rather than overseer in writing to these pre dominately Gentile churches. Elder was probably the more common term used to describe the members of the church leadership body: Peter sent the letter known to us as 1 Peter to suffering Christians Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief .Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

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