A Word About Elders
Selected Scriptures
August 11, 2024
(Transcript is posted solely for the membership of West Lenoir Baptist Church and may not be reproduced or copied in any manner without written permission)
Introduction
On Sunday, July 28, 2023, I mentioned to you that I wanted to talk to you about the biblical role of elders in church leadership. So, I will not be preaching from Matthew today or a particular text. Lord willing, we will return to Matthew 23 Sunday, August 25th. I will be reading several passages this morning, but for the most part, I will be sharing where we are and where we need to go in relation to church leadership. To help explain what I am doing this morning, the Apostle John, in 2 Jn. 12, writes, “Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.” It seems John wants to reaffirm “face to face” the admonitions of his first epistle. So, that is kind of what I am doing this morning. But “face to face” is not “in your face” or just “talking to you face to face,” it is an expression of our union in Christ and fellowship together in the gospel. John wanted to speak “face to face” to the “elect lady” to whom he was writing about truth and knowing more truth which according to Lk. 24:32 and 1 Jn. 1:4 is what brings the believer joy.
Elders and Deacons
The two leadership offices in the local church are “pastor / elder” and “deacon.” The “office of pastor / elder” is primarily focused on the ministry of the Word and the “office of deacon” is practical service. The word “deacon” means, “servant.” Elders are also servants but in a different way. And the church should not magnify one over the other because both are needful to care for the church, unify the church, and teach us to love Christ and each other.
Note: You might be thinking, what is this going to mean for us practically? Who is going to do what and how are we going to select who is going to do what? What is the difference between elders and deacons? Is there any difference in being a pastor and an elder? We will not proceed until those questions and any other questions are answered.
Elders are Biblical
Titus 1:1-5
I preached from Titus 1:1-5 on January 22, 2023, through February 12, 2023, so you could go to the church website if you missed these messages about ordaining elders and setting things in order. Paul sent Titus to Crete to “set in order” or “straighten out” the situation by “ordaining elders” in every town. The Cretans were apparently known for their lack of moral standards, and Paul is concerned that may have a negative impact upon the Christians in this congregation.
Paul instructs Titus in verse 1-4, to “ordain elders in every city.” A plurality of elders is for promoting “godliness” in the local congregations in Crete. Paul says, “For this cause…” or for the purpose of “setting things in order” and “ordaining” or appointing “elders,” I left you in Crete. That is one of the reasons for elders.
“Ordain” means “to designate, appoint.” It was used in classical Greek to describe appointment to an office or position. Titus is to find, select, train, and set apart men who meet the qualifications listed in scripture to serve as “elders” to accomplish what is basically described in verse 9, “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9).
First, what is the Old Testament meaning of the term elder? The word “elder” is used in the Old Testament referring to “a special category of men set apart for leadership” (Num.11:16; Deut.27:1). These passages speak of the seventy tribal leaders who assisted Moses. Deuteronomy 1:9-18 indicates these men were charged with the responsibility of judging the people. Moses communicated through them to the people (Ex.19:7; Deut.31:9). These men led the Passover (Ex.12:21) and were involved in other elements of worship.
The Old Testament refers to “elders of Israel” (1 Sam.4:3); “elders of the land” (1 Ki.20:7); “elders of Judah” (2 Ki.23:1); “elders…of each city” (Ezra 10:14); and “elders of the congregation” (Jud.21:16). They served in the capacity of local magistrates, and as governors over the tribes of Israel (Deut.16:18; 19:12; 31:28).
There is another Hebrew word for “elder” used only five times in the Old Testament, all in the book of Ezra. There it refers to the group of Jewish leaders in charge of rebuilding the Temple after the captivity in Babylon.
When the word “elder” is used in the Old Testament it was used in reference to mature men, heads of families (Ex.12:21); able men of strong moral character, God-fearing, men of truth and integrity (Ex.18:20-21); men full of the Holy Spirit (Num.11:16-17); capable men of wisdom, discernment, and experience. These men were impartial and courageous, men who would pray, teach, and judge righteously and fairly (Deut.1:13-17).
Second, what is the New Testament meaning of the word elder? The Greek word for “elder” in Titus 1:1-5 is presbuteros {press-boo-ter-os}. It is used about seventy times in the New Testament. Like the Old Testament word, it is used to described aged men, or mature age. For example, in Acts 2:17, Peter quotes Joel 2:28, “…and your old men shall dream dreams.” The English words “old men” is presbuteros {press-boo-ter-os} in the Greek. Used in that sense, “elder” does not refer to an official position or title; it simply means “an older man.”
Another example is 1 Tim.5:1-2, where “elder” is used in reference to older men and women, not those who hold the office of an overseer. So, as always, context determines how the word is used. First Peter 5:5, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder…” contains a similar use.
“Elder,” or presbuteros {press-boo-ter-os} is used twenty-eight times in the New Testament to refer to a group of spiritual leaders in Israel: “the chief priest and elders” (Matt. 27:3); “the scribes and elders” (Matt. 27:41); “officers of the temple and elders” (Lk.22:52); and “rulers and elders of the people” (Acts 4:8). In each of these uses, the word refers to recognized spiritual leaders in Israel who are not defined as priests.
There are twelve occurrences of the word “elders” presbuteros {press-boo-ter-os} in the Book of Revelation. All of them refer to the “twenty-four elders” who appear to be the special representative of the redeemed people of God from all ages.
Third, how is the word elder used in reference to the church? The New Testament church was first Jewish, so it would be natural that the concept of elder was adopted for used in the early church. Elder was the only commonly used Jewish term for leadership in Israel that was not connected with the priesthood or monarchy. And that is important because the church has no designated earthly priesthood or king in our leadership.
“Elders” or presbuteros {press-boo-ter-os} is used nearly twenty times in the Book of Acts and the Epistles in reference to a unique group of leaders in the church. From the very earliest beginnings of the church, it was clear that a group of mature spiritual leaders was identified to have responsibility for the church. In Acts 11:29-30, the Bible says, “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” That proves that “elders” existed in the church at that very early date, and that the believers in Antioch recognized their authority.
Scripture does not tell us how “elders” were selected and appointed; it just tells us they were. “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed” (Acts 14:21-23).
These “elders,” plural, were to be appointed “in every city” (Titus 1:5). The preposition “in” may be used to mean “city by city.” There were most likely numerous small churches on this island and whether or not “in every city” meant every church in the cities or an “elder” over all the small churches in each individual city, the point is every church needed an “elder” appointed to oversee them, instruct them, shepherd them, and help them grow sound in the faith. Paul and Barnabas appointed “elders,” men to help them get well established and grounded in sound doctrine and truth.
Nearly every church we know of in the New Testament is specifically said to have had “elders.” For example, Acts 20:17 says, “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.” It is interesting that the church at Ephesus had elders, because all the churches of Asia Minor, such as those listed in Revelation 1:11, were extensions of the ministry at Ephesus. We can assume that those churches also identified their leadership by the same patterns, a plurality of “elders.”
Elders and Baptist
If you read my article, “My Journey in God’s Word,” you read one section titled, “Regrets.” Well, let me add another one to the list. I regret not having led the first two churches I pastored to a plurality of elder leadership. In fact, I did not think “elder” leadership belonged in the Baptist church. And the reason I thought that way was because I was ignorant of Baptist church history.
I am not going to give you a Baptist church history lesson this morning, but there is overwhelming historical evidence that “elders” have always been a part of the Baptist church. The word “elder” appears often in historic Baptist statements of faith. These men were not just a group of men who ruled the pastor and the church. They taught doctrine and helped the pastor preserve the gospel through shepherding and discipline. But in the nineteenth and twentieth century, plurality of elder leadership disappeared in Baptist churches.
In the nineteenth century Samuel Jones of the Philadelphia Association wrote, “Concerning the divine right of the office of ruling elders there has been considerable doubt and much disputation.” Jones summarized the arguments for and against elders and encouraged Baptist churches to maintain the office if they felt it beneficial.
In the South, the first president of the Southern Baptist Convention, W.B. Johnson of South Carolina, wrote of the New Testament churched that “each church had a plurality of elders” in his book The Gospel Developed. In 1849 J.L. Reynolds, pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia, wrote, “the apostolic churches seem, in general, to have had a plurality of elders as well as deacons.”
Baptist preacher and pastor, Charles H. Spurgeon had a plurality of elders at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in nineteenth-century London. J. L. Burrows, pastor of First Baptist Church, Richmond, for twenty years, wrote in his book What Baptists Believe, “Elders and deacons are the only officers [Christ] has instituted.
It is indisputable that at the beginning of the twentieth century, Baptist either had or advocated elders in local churches and often a plurality of elders. They had done so for centuries.
First, my history in relation to elders- I started pastoring in 1976 and it was not until 1995 that I began to think biblically about the role of elders in the church. I preached texts in the Book of Acts and the epistles that dealt with elders, but I convinced myself that the role of elder was being fulfilled by deacons or by an associate pastor or pastoral staff. If you want a fuller explanation of my story, read “My Journey in God’s Word” on the church website, in the section titled, “Deacons and Elders.”
Second, the history of elders and West Lenoir Baptist Church-A few years ago, I asked our music director to search for new church hymnals. Do you remember that? And when we presented the new hymnal, “Hymns of Grace,” I pointed out that the scripture passages in the new hymnal were from the English Standard Version, not the King James Version. Then, I pointed out that the red Baptist Hymnal which the church was using in 2008 when I came to be your pastor, included scripture passages from the King James Version, the Revised Standard Version, the New American Standard Version, and the Today’s English Version. I wanted to remind you that you were singing out of a hymn book that had scripture in it other than the King James Version before I got here. Okay?
Now, what about “elders?” Do you have a copy of the 2004 West Lenoir Church directory at home? That was the last directory printed before I came here in 2008. On page 8, at the bottom of the page, you will see a picture of five men and under the picture is the caption, “Deacons and Elders.” West Lenoir Baptist Church had elders before I came here. I want you to know that I am not introducing something new to the church.
In our deacons meeting on July 23, 2024, I asked Brother Roger, Brother Bruce, and Brother Curt, how the deacons and elders functioned. Neither they nor I can answer completely and two of the men in that picture have passed away. However, it seems both elders and deacons were set apart to help the pastor and serve the church in whatever capacity was needed. As pastor, I am thankful for every man who has served as a deacon or elder, and for their sacrifice for the body of Christ.
If there is any man who has ever served as an elder or deacon in this church and you have a question about whether you are still an elder or deacon, please come and talk with me. The deacons and I do not want to overlook anyone who may have been rotated out of these offices.
With all due respect to former pastors, deacons, and elders, it seems to me that the history of the office of elder in West Lenoir Baptist Church was about older, wiser men, helping the pastor in decision making and guiding the church. That is part of being an elder as we seen in our word study of elder. However, there is so much more that God has established for the office of elder to help shepherd, guide, protect, feed, and purify the church.
Based on what I can find in the history of West Lenoir Baptist Church, a plurality of elder leadership has never been properly carried out. The office of deacon has ministered as servants willing to serve the church in whatever area of need the church has asked them to serve. This is biblical but also needs to be renewed.
West Lenoir Baptist Church has always believed in the inerrancy and infallibility of scripture. We believe God’s Word speaks authoritatively in every area of life and every subject. If we believe that, then we must also believe the Bible speaks authoritatively in matters pertaining to church government and leadership. It is my prayer that each one of us will humbly submit to what the Bible says about pastors, elders, and deacons and as we move carefully and prayerfully through this process, God will make clear to this body the men who are called and gifted by God to shepherd and serve us.
Elders are Best
If plurality of elders was best for the early church, then it is best for West Lenoir Baptist Church. And it is best because God has ordained it to be that way.
The “elder” does not replace a senior pastor who labors in the Word and gives overall leadership to the church. Instead, elders come alongside him, ministering to the church and to the pastor, helping bear the load, helping guide the church in preserving the gospel, carrying out the ordinances, fulfilling the great commission, watching over church membership in exhortation and discipline and teaching God’s Word.
Think of the duties of the elders in the form of FIVE D’s.
1. Doctrine
2. Direction
3. Discipline
4. Discipleship
5. Discernment
Conclusion
I know this is a lot to digest but here is where we begin or may I say return to biblical leadership. Please, if you have questions, write them down. There are 5 x 7 note cards on the tables in the vestibule. Write down your question, sign or don’t sign, place it in the offering box or hand it to me. I want to answer every question biblically, know your concerns, help with any fear you might have.
First, I am going to write a document that spells out as simply as possible what a plurality of elders means for West Lenoir Baptist Church. When completed that will be available in hard copy and on the church website. I am also going to be asking some of you to help me in that process, just as I did with the church covenant, membership guidelines, and other things.
Second, I have and continue to reach out to other pastors and churches who have returned to biblical leadership. And there will be much teaching and biblical study needed for all of us, especially those men who are asked to serve.
Third, when that is completed, we will do the same with the office of deacon.
Fourth, will you join me in prayer today as we move forward? As I have stated numerous times, I am convinced that God has gifted men in this congregation to serve as elders and deacons in the coming days and years.
Amen.
(Transcript is posted solely for the membership of West Lenoir Baptist Church and may not be reproduced or copied in any manner without written permission)