Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Notes

and religious leaders in order to express their power and authority, the early Christians avoided such titles. The early Christians used common and functional terms to describe themselves and their relationships. Some of these terms are “brother,” “beloved,” “fellow-worker,” “laborer,” “slave,” “servant,” “prisoner,” “fellow-soldier,” and “steward.” Of course there were prophets, teachers, apostles, evangelists, lead ers, elders, and deacons within the first churches, but these terms were not used as formal titles for individuals. All Christians are saints, but there was no “Saint John.” All are priests, but there was no “Priest Philip.” Some are elders, but there was no “Elder Paul.” Some are overseers, but there was no “Overseer John.” Some are pastors, but there was no “Pastor James.” Some are deacons, but there was no “Deacon Peter.” Some are apostles, but there was no “Apostle Andrew.” Rather than gaining honor through titles and position, New Testa ment believers received honor primarily for their service and work (Acts 15:26; Rom. 1621,2,4,12; 1 Cor. 16:15,16,18; 2 Cor. 8218; Phil. 2229,30; C01. 127; 4212,13; 1 Thess. 5212; 1 Tim. 321). The early Christians re ferred to each other by personal names (Timothy, Paul, Titus), the terms “brother” or “sister,” or by describing an individual’s spiritual character or work: 0 Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5); - Barnabas, a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (Acts 11224); 0 Philip the evangelist (Acts 2128); 0 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus (Rom. 16:3); 0 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you (Rom. 16:6). 8. Andrew Murray, Humility (Springdale: Whitaker, 1982), p. 7. 9. David Prior, Jesus and Power (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1987), p. 82. 10. John R. W. Stott, Between Two Worlds: The Art ofPreaching in the Twen tieth Century (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982), p. 320. 11. J. I. Packer, Freedom and Authority (Oakland: International Council on Biblical Inerrancy, 1981), p. 8. 1. R. Paul Stevens, Liberating the Laity (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1985), p. 17. 2. George Eldon Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974), p. 534. 3. J.A. Motyer, The Message ofJames, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1985), p. 189. Chapter 6

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