INTRODUCTION
The Bible contains all the necessary blueprints for successful church ministry to take place. God instructed the local infant church (starting in Acts 2 forward) primarily through the ministry of the Apostles. The Apostle’s were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:19-21) to write portions of the New Testament which remain the churches’ standard and measuring rod to this day. Ephesians 2:19-20 states, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.” Clearly, it was the Apostles doctrine which established much of the infant churches’ theology and ecclesiology (Acts 2:42). Jesus Christ (as Lord of the church) delegated His divine authority to the Apostles who in turn carried out His will.
The Importance of Biblical Leadership
At the beginning and the end of the Apostle Paul’s ministry, he personally appointed (or instructed others to appoint) a plurality of elders to shepherd the churches he founded or established (Titus 1:5ff; Acts 14:23). Paul was concerned that qualified, godly, male leaders would continue to shepherd, teach, and lead the church after his departure and death.
In what is most likely the earliest of the New Testament Epistles (James, AD 45-48), James exhorts those who are sick to call upon the elders of the church to come and pray for them (James 5:14-15). From this text one concludes, that Godly church leaders (elders) had been appointed and set apart even as early as AD 45.
When writing to the churches scattered all throughout the Roman provinces (1 Peter 1:1), Peter exhorts the elders to pastor the flock of God (1 Peter 5:1). According to Alexander Strauch, “This indicates that Peter knew that the elder structure of government was standard practice in these churches.” The New Testament reveals that the pastoral oversight of many of the first churches was committed to a plurality of elders (Acts 13:1; 15:35; 1 Corinthians 16:15,16; Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24). These elders were to model and carry out the teachings of Christ and the Apostles.
Because the Apostles themselves did not physically appoint every single church leader, they often wrote letters to these churches instructing them as to the criteria they were to use when appointing these “elders.” This is most clearly seen in two key passages: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Both texts identify the biblical qualifications of an elder.
In 1 Timothy 3 the single, overarching qualification is that the prospective elder be “above reproach.” He can not be accused of anything that is sinful. This does not mean that this man never sins (otherwise no one would be qualified, 1 John 1:10), rather his life is to be characterized by holiness and the pursuit there of. MacArthur adds, “An elder must be above reproach in his marital life, his social life, his family life, his business life, and his spiritual life.” The qualifications of an elder goes beyond moral characteristics. An elder must be also be a gifted teacher (able to refute false doctrine and to proclaim divine truth), and he must be demonstrably skilled as a manager (at work and at home).
In Titus 1 Paul gives Titus specific instructions regarding church leadership and the establishment of elders. As with 1 Timothy 3 there are 15 qualifications given; five are identical and 6 others are very similar. Paul wants the elders to not only be above reproach with those within the church but also to have an impeccable reputation with those outside the church. He writes in Titus 1:5-9;
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not found of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Alexander Strauch wisely notes, “When directing Titus in how to organize churches on the island of Crete, Paul reminds Titus to appoint only morally and spiritually qualified men to be elders. By stating elder qualifications in a letter, Paul establishes a public list to guide the local church in its choice of elders and to empower it to hold its elders accountable.”
TO BE CONTINUED
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