Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Hebrews: Obey Your Leaders

and since some Christians are perpetually weak in faith, watching over the spiritual development of God’s people is indispensable, continuous work. Hebrews itself is an illustration of spiritual watchmen in action and reveals the critical need for spiritual watchmen. Serious problems ex isted among some believers: spiritual apathy and immaturity, neglect of the truth, compromise with Judaism’s old ways, fear of hardship, bitterness of soul, backsliding, and disregard for God’s shepherds. The leaders responsible for this needy community faced problems that re quired vigilant attention and action. If the leaders referred to in verse 17 were the ones who alerted the writer of Hebrews to the congregation’s problems, they are an excel lent example of spiritual watchfulness. It appears that these leaders were stable, mature Christians in whom the author had complete con fidence. Indeed, as one commentator points out, “The clause [‘they keep watch’] offers a commendation of the leaders as men with di vinely given pastoral authority and responsibility.”9 However, their good, pastoral efforts would be of little success if the believers did not submit to their wise, loving leadership. Not only do spiritual leaders deserve to be obeyed because they keep watch for God’s people, but their greater responsibility requires a stricter scrutiny and standard of accountability before God. All spir itual leaders are watchmen and shepherds “who will give an account.” Jesus said, “and from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more” (Luke 12248b; cf. Mark 12:40). If these spiritual leaders fail at their task, God’s people will be hurt. Thus they, like the watchmen of a city, are keenly aware that they will have to render an account to God for the critical task entmsted to them. Lenski well reminds us: “Whoever assumes or is given responsibility over the souls of any others, even of only one other, is fully accountable” (italics added).‘0 According to the Old Testament, God promised that He would call the watchmen into account regarding their holy responsibility: When I say to the wicked, “You shall surely die”; and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet if you have warned the wicked, and he does not turn from

271