Who Are Elders in the Bible?
In the Bible, elders were appointed by church leadership and commended to the Lord in whom they believed. They were not elected or voted on by the church membership but appointed and ordained by the church’s existing leadership according to New Testament qualifications. Elders serve the church in a number of ways, and their roles vary widely depending on the context of the Bible.
Elders shepherd
In the Bible, elders are charged with overseeing the flock of God. But this is not their only duty. They are also responsible for judging the flock and calling the flock to account. The word overseer comes from the Greek words over and sight. So, an elder shepherd is not only charged with overseeing the flock, he also has to hold God accountable for the larger picture.
In the Bible, the elders shepherd were also called pastors, and the word pastor occurs only once, but the verb “to shepherd” is found many times. The elders were responsible for the care of the flock, and their role in the flock was to protect the flock from harm. It is up to them to keep the flock safe from danger, and to guard the flock from the evil of man.
As a shepherd, we should always be aware of the threats to our flock. That’s why we need elders who are constantly thinking of ways to care for our members. In 1 Peter 5:1-5, the apostle tells his fellow elders to “shepherd” the flock of God among them. But this does not mean that we should be abusive, domineering, or exploiting the flock for personal gain.
Oversee
In the Bible, overseers are men who lead a church. They are required to be blameless before God. Men who divorce their wives or who are unfaithful to them should not be overseers. However, a man who has remarried and is still blameless before God is eligible to hold the office of overseer.
The Bible describes overseers as having a good reputation. These men should be well-mannered, dress appropriately, and keep their workstation clean. In addition, overseers must be eager to serve Jesus Christ and His kingdom. That means that they should not be motivated by personal gain.
Several passages in the Bible refer to the overseer role. In Titus 1:5-9, Titus appointed several elders in different cities. In the Ephesian church, Titus appointed several elders to watch over the flock.
Lead
There is no definitive definition of elders in the Bible, but there are certain qualities that make a person an effective elder. First, they must be married to one wife, and not polygamous. Second, they must have a good reputation in the community. Third, they should be able to teach others.
Elders held a variety of positions in the Bible. They could serve locally, as leaders of a city, or regionally as leaders of a tribe. They could also serve nationally, as leaders of a nation. But in most cases, they served as local leaders. And while their main responsibility was to God, they had other roles as well.
Elders are responsible for the spiritual oversight and guidance of the church. They must teach biblical truths and refute false teachers. This can take many forms, including classes, one-on-one instruction, or preaching. While you don’t have to be a PhD in biblical studies to be an elder, you must be able to explain biblical truth in a way that is both clear and concise.
Care for
The Bible teaches us that we must take care of our elders. The Bible includes many verses on how to care for elders. The fifth commandment is one such example. The fifth commandment commands us to honor our parents and grandparents. Care for elders is a moral obligation that every family member has.
The Bible says that elders should shepherd the flock of Christ and provide spiritual protection to those under their care. This means that elders must be godly and accountable, and the church must honor them and respond to their teaching. The Bible also calls elders to be accountable for the welfare of their flock and to provide for their needs.
The Bible also says that elders must manage their own household. They must control their children and keep the church orderly. In order to do this, they must maintain their home in a dignified manner.
Protect
The Bible teaches us to honor and protect elders. The apostle Paul instructs the Ephesian church in 1 Timothy 5:19, “Treat elders with double honor, especially those who labor in teaching and preaching.” It’s important to note that Paul doesn’t think of generous compensation as the only way to honor elders. Paul knows that some congregations are prone to rumors about church elders, and he teaches the church to respect elders regardless of their status.
The Bible also calls for elders to be prepared to deal with error head on. It is crucial that they are able to exhort in sound doctrine and convict the gainsayers. It is never easy dealing with false teachers and obstinate errors, but it’s necessary for the growth of the church.
Elders are indispensable to the church. They are appointed by the people and have the authority to shepherd the church. They serve as the guardians of the flock and protect the flock from false teachers.
False teachers
False teachers have always tempted believers to reject the teachings of the Bible. They have a tendency to cite novel interpretations of scripture to explain away problems and contradictions in the Bible. As a result, church members should be cautious and look for the teachings of elders and pastors who will confront these false teachings and help their congregations find the truth.
The main qualification for becoming an elder is the ability to teach the word of God. Unfortunately, not all elders are gifted orators. Many of these teachers use their brilliant communication style to cover up their deception. Their message is often not the same as the true message of the Bible, and they usually prefer large crowds to deep growth.
The Bible warns us to avoid false teachers, so we must learn to distinguish between a true and false teacher. False teachers are prone to slander and dissension. They also have a tendency to abuse other teachers and to harbor evil suspicions. While true love is based on trust, false teachers are prone to distrust others and think they are being manipulated by their opponents.
Pray for ill church members
One way for church leaders to be more effective in their community is to pray for sick members of the congregation. They can also put olive oil on the sick person and put faith in the Lord that they will recover their health. Faith in the Lord will heal the sick person and help them forgive their sins. They can also tell the sick people what they did wrong and pray for them. An innocent prayer from a Christian will do wonders.
The command to pray for sick members of the church comes from the letter of James, Jesus’ half-brother. In James 5:14, the elders of the church are commanded to pray and anoint the sick person with oil in the name of the Lord. Unfortunately, many Christians do not feel comfortable praying for sick church members. They may question whether or not God still heals in this way and feel uncertain about what to say.
If you are scared of praying for ill church members, remember that God has a history of choosing imperfect people. For example, He chose an idolater to be the father of many nations, a murderer to become a Savior, and an adulterer to start a royal line in His family tree. Moreover, we should remember that God heals because He is, not because of our own weakness or inadequacy. Therefore, if you are frightened of prayer, spend time with the Lord, share your concerns, and encourage other believers to join the prayer ministry.
Protect elders from unjust attack
Protecting elders from unjust attack is a legal and moral imperative. Abuse against this vulnerable group is a serious crime, and even the smallest act of exploitation is illegal. It can take many forms, from forging a signature on a check to setting up a phony business or engaging in investment fraud.
Physical abuse or neglect of an elder is a different matter. To be deemed physical abuse, there needs to be a direct cause of harm and suspicion that someone is deliberately ignoring the victim. Sometimes, a simple bruise is enough to spark an overzealous family member to file a criminal case.
Financial abuse against elders is especially pervasive in women. Statistics show that women live longer than men, making them more ripe targets for abusers. Furthermore, women tend to be viewed as weak by perpetrators, who may assume that they cannot handle their own financial affairs. Additionally, many widows of deceased husbands are also easy targets for perpetrators.