Just What Is An Elder? Pt. 1

“What is an elder?”  I have been asked this question on more than one occasion.  Whether people know one of the brothers who have been nominated to serve as an elder, saw a Facebook post about the upcoming ordination, or heard about Lakeville moving to an Elder-led model of church government through the grapevine, people are asking this question.  So, over the next few days, I will post an overview of a series I preached at Lakeville entitled “The Gospel & Church Leadership”.  Hopefully, it will answer some of the questions people have about the office of elder.  In this post, I hope to establish the fact that the office of elder is mentioned throughout the New Testament as a vital office in the church.

Elders Are Mentioned Frequently

A survey of the New Testament (especially Acts and the Epistles) will reveal that the office of elder was a vital office of the early church.   

Scripture	Description
Acts 11:30	Elders sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem with a gift that was to be distributed to the needy brethren in Judea.
Acts 14:23	Paul and Barnabas, after establishing churches, “ordained elders in every church”.
Acts 15:2	A vital question concerning the Gospel had arisen in Acts 15.  To discuss the doctrinal matter, Paul and Barnabas decided to go to Jerusalem to meet with “the apostles and elders”.
Acts 15:4	Paul and Barnabas, having arrived in Jerusalem for the meeting, were received by “the apostles and elders”. NOTE: At Jerusalem, Peter seems to be the spokesperson for the apostles and James seems to be the spokesperson for the elders.
Acts 15:22-23	After the meeting, when it was determined that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, “the apostles and elders” determined to send Judas and Silas to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.  They also sent letters from “the apostles and the elders and brethren”.
Acts 16:4	Paul travelled throughout the cities on his missionary journey delivering to the people “the decrees…that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.”
Acts 20:17	Paul called for a meeting with the elders of Ephesus.  He charged them and told them that he would no longer see their face.  Verse 28 gives insight to the responsibility of being an elder of God’s church.
Acts 21:18	Paul goes to Jerusalem and gives a report to James and all the elders concerning God’s working among the Gentiles.
1 Timothy 5:17-19	The elders who rule (govern) well are worthy of honor, especially those who labor (earn their livelihood) in preaching and teaching.  A person isn’t supposed to accept an accusation against an elder unless it is substantiated with two or three witnesses.  Elders who persist in sin are to be publically rebuked before the entire congregation so people in the congregation might learn to fear.
Titus 1:5	Paul commands Titus to ordain elders in every city in Crete.
James 5:14	Elders are called upon to pray for the sick, anointing them with oil.
1 Peter 5:1-5	Peter addresses elders in church located throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1:1).  He refers to himself as an “elder” in 5:1 (one of only three times this word is used in the singular).  He addresses the “elders” of the congregations in the cities he previously mentioned.  He gives them a charge to “shepherd the flock of God” because God has given them oversight.  They are to shepherd God’s people willingly, not out of compulsion.  They are to shepherd sincerely, not for shameful gain.  They must be examples to the church to follow.  They are to keep in mind that they will give an account to the chief Shepherd one day.  Because of this, the congregation is to be subject (submissive) to their leadership.
2 John 1	John refers to himself as “the elder”.  Many believe it was a nickname that had been given to John the Beloved.
3 John 1	Same as 2 John 1.

You've heard it said, “If the Bible mentions something once, it is important.”  I would agree with this statement.  Yet, my question is this: How can a subject (an office in the church) that is mentioned (in the Bible) as frequently as that of an elder be glossed over and treated as unimportant?  This should at least get our minds thinking about the vital role elders should play in the congregation.  More to come…