Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Notes

Starting with the Old Testament, government by elders was a funda mental institution in Israel. Yet nowhere in the Old Testament are we informed about the qualifications for elders or who had the authority to appoint elders. We can only assume that such matters were left to the people of God and their leaders. Since, according to Scripture, men and women were made to rule over the earth, organizing society in a right eous and fair way is a God-given duty (Gen. 1228). In the New Testament, the overriding concern regarding eldership is not who can lawfully appoint elders, but who is properly qualified to be an elder? In the lists of elder qualifications, apostolic appointment is never mentioned. The New Testament, in agreement with the Old Testament, does not make the appointment of elders the exclusive duty of a special class of people. The issue of who has the rightful authority to appoint elders is not discussed in the New Testament. The central issue focuses on qualifications and examination. The apostles fully expected the churches to be self-perpetuating, self goveming, and dependent on God for their future progress and needs. Paul’s written instructions to Timothy and Titus concerning the qualifica tions and examination of elders were meant to remain with the churches after the departure of Timothy and Titus in order to guide the churches in their absence. These letters, which are not strictly private letters, provide sufficient authority and guidance for the local church, the elders, or mis sionaries to appoint church elders (1 Tim. 3215). Furthermore, the fact that Paul’s instructions concerning the qualifi cations and examination of elders were written toward the end of his life suggests that he was arranging for the perpetuation of the office, not its demise. Thus we can say today with the same spirit of encouragement and approval, “if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” But we must add, in accordance with Scripture, that such a person “must be above reproach.” From the divine side, the Scripture states that the Holy Spirit places men in the church as overseers to shepherd the flock (Acts 20:28). Surely the Holy Spirit hasn’t departed, so as long as the Holy Spirit motivates and equips men to be pastor elders, the office of eldership must continue. But in order for the local assembly to be able to distinguish between those the Spirit has separated to this work and those who are self-willed and unqualified, the local church and its leaders must examine the candi dates according to the apostolic qualifications (1 Tim. 3210). Finally, the elders, as the official overseers of the church, have the authority, as implied in their office, to develop and appoint others as el ders. Overseeing a church, or any organization, includes the duty of as suring future, ongoing leadership. The apostles established the offices of

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