ALONE WITH GOD------

QUESTION: Who are the elders in the Church? When are they elders? Does ordination have anything to do with being an elder? What is a bishop and what is a deacon? If a minister has a rebellious child, does that take away his gift?

ANSWER: We have several questions in one here, but they are all related, so maybe we can discuss them all together.

It seems apparent from the Scriptures that the term "Elder" and the term "Bishop" are used interchangeably and apply to the same officer in the Church. We are not to confuse the present use of the term "Bishop" with what it was in the early Church of the Apostolic period. F. G. Smith in his book The Revelation Explained, on page 94, quotes from the historian Waddington who says, "...and it is even certain that the terms ‘Bishop,’ ‘Elder’ and ‘Presbyter’ were, in the first instances, and for a short period, sometimes used synonymously, and indiscriminately applied to the same order in the ministry." On page 95 of the same book he quotes from the historian Milman who says, "The earliest Christian communities appear to have been ruled and represented, in the absence of the apostle who was their first founder, by their elders, who are likewise called bishops, or overseers of the church." Further he quotes from D’Aubigne’s History of the Reformation on page 96, "The church was in the beginning a community of brethren, guided by a few of the brethren." And again, "All Christians were priests of the living God, with humble pastors as their guides."

It will be noted in all these quotations from these historians that they are going back to the beginning and describing how it was then. That is what we must do to get a proper understanding of these officers in the Church and their functions. We can certainly be sure that when the Church was brand-new and fresh from the hand of God that it would be perfect and exactly like He wanted it. As it was then, so must it be now. We must go back to the beginning of the New Testament Church for our pattern and not allow our vision to be clouded by all the paraphernalia that has been attached to these terms by ambitious and aspiring men down through the apostasy and the Dark Ages and their present day usage which has come on down to us from that time.

The Holy Scriptures also attest to this. In Titus 1:5 we read Paul’s instruction to Titus, "...set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee." Then verse seven says, "For a bishop must be blameless, etc." It is clear here that the terms "Elder" and "Bishop" are used interchangeably.

We find in Titus 1:6 that the qualifications for an "Elder" (Bishop) is that he must have faithful children not accused of riot or unruly, and in I Timothy 3:4 we read, "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity." But these are conditions that change. Sometimes unruly children through the prayers of their parents and the saints, settle down and behave better. Sometimes they become more rebellious and leave home. In different ways these conditions may change. Also, they have been known to get saved, shape up and do well. So, let us not give up on them, but pray for them and be all the help to them and their parents that we can. Perchance God may undertake in the matter and solve the problem in the best way and to the best interest of all parties involved.

I would hesitate to say that a minister having a rebellious child would cause his gift to be taken away. However, if conditions became bad enough it would perhaps shut him down in the exercise of his gift for the time being until conditions changed to clear him for going ahead in his calling.

In Acts 20:17 we read concerning Paul, "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church." We see here that at least some congregations had a plurality of elders more than just one. Also, in verse 28 of this chapter we learn something else about the elders the most important thing. That is that they were divinely appointed and qualified by the Holy Ghost and that they were the overseers of the Church of God. Their specified duty in this verse was to "...feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Also in the next three verses they are warned about some who would come in among them, and some of their own number who would break rank, and draw away disciples after them. These elders are charged with the responsibility of watching and standing guard over the Church and protecting it against schisms and divisions, false and erroneous doctrines. In I Peter 5:1-3, Peter is exhorting the "Elders" (it is important to note that he also classifies himself as an "Elder" even though he was an "Apostle") and he exhorts them to "feed the flock of God" and take "the oversight thereof." Verse three, "Neither as being lords [not overruling margin] over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." Paul declared in II Corinthians 1:24 that he did not have dominion over their faith, but was a helper of their joy. Some unwise and overruling pastors require things of people which are beyond their faith, light, understanding and experience to which they have attained, and discourage them and crush their spirits. Instead, they should teach them in love and sympathy and set a good example before them of those things to which they desire them to attain. Again in Hebrews 13:17 we read, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account,..." Where this text says "Rule over you," the margin says, "Guide." One of the principal ways that a pastor rules over his congregation is in teaching them from God’s Word in precept and then showing them how it works by a good example of what he is teaching. These texts all set forth the work of an "Elder" and his responsibilities and duties and also his authority.

It has already been noted that an "Elder" is appointed, qualified and empowered by the Holy Ghost. But a recognition of his call and qualifications for this work which is known as "ordination" is also taught in the Scriptures. This is usually done by the laying on of hands of other ministers. Paul wrote to Titus to "...Ordain elders in every city,..." Titus 1:5. Paul also wrote to Timothy to stir up the gift of God which was in him by the putting on of his hands. II Timothy 1:6. I Timothy 4:14 says, "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." In Acts 13:2-3 we read, "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." Then verse four says, "So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost,..." All these texts make it clear that the Holy Ghost is the One who calls, sends, endows with gifts and qualifies "Elders," and also that the Holy Ghost Himself wants the other ministers to recognize what He has done and to signify it by the sign of laying on of their hands. It is certain that any minister can feel freer in the exercise of his ministry and work more effectually when he knows that he has the recognition, support, backing and approval of the other ministers among whom he works and of the saints. For one to successfully fulfill the office of an "Elder" or "Overseer" in a congregation in all its aspects he should be ordained by the laying on of hands of other ordained ministers. He may preach just as well and feed the flock just as well without it, but when it comes to exercising authority and dealing with problems which may arise in the congregation, he will be much more effective and respected in his judgment if he has the recognition and backing of the ministry and the people he is dealing with know it. So I would say that one is a full-fledged "Elder," eligible to fulfill all the aspects of his office, when he is ordained by the laying on of hands of the presbytery.

In the early Church there were two classes of officers "Elders" and "Deacons." The "Elders" were in charge of the spiritual oversight and operation of the Church, while the "Deacons" were in charge of the temporal affairs of the Church and the administration of its charities, etc.

In the first four verses of the sixth chapter of Acts, we have the introduction of the office of "Deacon" into the Church. In this case a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the administration of the charities and care of them by the Church was taking place. In other words, they felt they were being discriminated against and that partiality was being shown. It is altogether possible that this was the case, since the Jerusalem Church was predominantly Jewish and they had not yet learned that all men were equal in God’s sight and that there was neither Jew nor Greek in the body of Christ. When this murmuring reached the apostles, they called the whole company together and instructed them to choose out from among them seven men filled with the Holy Ghost and wisdom, and they would appoint them over this business, but they would give themselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word. That was their job and they did not have time to attend to the administration of temporal matters. Verse six says that when these men were chosen and brought to the apostles they prayed and laid their hands on them. These men were ordained to administer in the office of a "Deacon" in that Jerusalem Church.

In the third chapter of I Timothy we have set forth the qualifications of a "Bishop" or "Elder" in the first seven verses. Then verses 8-13 set forth the qualifications of a "Deacon." You will notice there are some strict requirements on the "Deacon" as well as on the "Elder," and some of them are the same. God is very particular about any person who administers in any office in His Church. The deacons were required to be filled with the Holy Ghost the same as the elder was required to be Spirit filled. All who administer any office in the Church or occupy any position of leadership in the Church are to be Spirit-filled people.