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Where Are The Elders?

Have you ever wondered what “Spiritual Components” go into the makeup of an “Elder” or what is required to become an “Elder” in the “Apostolic Church” according to the Bible? I’m not talking about a “Senior Citizen” who has spent their entire life keeping a pew warm! I’m talking about a man or woman of God that has been called to the position of “Elder”, a person that is not only involved in the Church, but a person of God that is committed, (above ALL other things) to the kingdom of God and is walking and talking to God on a daily basis! I’m talking about a person that is doing the “will of God” on a daily basis! A person that has a direct line of communication with God and not only talks to God, but also hears from God! There just seems to be a shortage of this caliber of persons in our environment! It requires commitment and desire that’s above and beyond anything most people have ever known! An “Elder” is genuine and has the “Annointing of God” on their life and if you talk to them for awhile….you’ll feel the presence of God because the Lord always confirms his word with signs following. (Mark 16:19-20).

First of all….let’s get into the scriptures. The word “Elder” comes from the Greek word (prebuteros) and “Overseer”, (Greek-episcopes) designate the same office, (compare Titus 1:7 and Acts 20:17-28), the former referring to the same man and the latter to a function of the office. The “Eldership” in the Apostolic Church was usually plural; there is NO instance or example where there was only ONE Elder in a local church.

The function of the Elder’s are: (I Timothy 3:4-5; 5:17) to teach, (I Timothy 5:17); to guard the body of revealed truth from perversion and error (Titus 1:9); and to oversee the Church as a Shepherd would his flock, (John 21:16; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 5:2).

Elders are made or set in the designated Churches by the Holy Spirit, (Acts 20:28) but, great stress or emphasis is laid out in the New Testament upon their due appointment, (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). In Titus and I Timothy, the qualifications of an Elder became part of the scripture for the guidance of the Churches themselves in such appointments; ( I Timothy 3:1-7). The Lord places various “Helps” in each Church, but when “Flesh: gets involved they are seldom used. It appears that in the “latter days” a majority of the “Apostolic Churches” have strayed from this doctrine….although it was commanded!

(Titus 1:5) It is NOT at all a question of the presence within the assembly of persons making up the Church having the required qualifications of “Elder” , made “Overseers” by the Holy Spirit, (Acts 20:28); that such persons were present in the Churchs of Crete is assumed. The question is altogether one of the appointment of such persons. The Lord has set these “Elders” in place….why are they not being used? These Churches were NEVER destitute of “Elders”, but were at fault in having failed to duly appoint them, and so it continues until this very day! The pastor is Not giving up any of his authority; because all authority belongs to God and the Church belongs to God…it is God’s bride….hand picked! The Lord has given man the privilege to feed his flock, not to be ruler over the flock! Pastor is a position within the kingdom of God and it has a responsibility directly to God! How can we be so strict in some areas of the ministry and completely and totally ignore another area that is just as important? There has to be “balance” especially within the “ministry.” The Bible tells us , (I Corinthians 1:10) that the body of the Apostolic Church (bride) is made up of many members and they are jointly fit together as it pleases the Lord. The Lord…through the “Holy Spirit” appoints a specific position and function for each member. How can the body of Christ (Church, Bride) be healthy and function as the Lord originally intended it to…if some of the body parts are not in their appointed positions? Again….it seems that we put such great emphasis on some things and completely ignore or overlook other requirements that are just as important….and sometimes more important ? Come on Church…where is our thinking? Where did we get out of tune with God? If the appointment of “Elders” was important or crucial in the beginning Apostolic Churches, why is it not important today? Are we still not in the same dispensation of time? Has the Bible been changed? There is a”Progression of Doctrine” in respect to the appointing of “Elders” as referenced above.