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ELDERS IN EVERY CHURCH
Acts 14:23
INTRODUCTION: Grammatical elder is the comparative of "old"; necessarily it means older or elder-old, older, oldest.
- USES OF THE WORD "ELDER"
- It denotes aged person (I Pet. 5:1-5.)
- Peter applies the word to aged.
- Here "younger" is in comparison with "elder," denoting younger person.
- The "younger" are to submit to their seniors.
- John calls himself an elder. (II and III John.)
- Official use of the word. (Acts 14:23.)
- It denotes aged person (I Pet. 5:1-5.)
- ELDERS OF THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM
- The Scriptures. (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 6, 22; 16:4.)
- No record when or how they were appointed.
- Apostles in the church there, but also elders. (Acts 8:1; 15:6 elders needed.)
- ELDERS OF THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS (Acts 20:17-28)
- Paul addressed them as shepherds of the flock.
- They were considered as bishops.
- They were to feed the flock.
- They were made bishops by the Holy Spirit.
- They were bishops IN the church, not lords OVER it.
- TITUS APPOINTED ELDERS IN EVERY CITY (Titus 1:5)
- They were appointed elders.
- It is assumed that men had the qualifications.
- ELDERS OF THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI
- Paul included them in his letter. (Phil. 1:1.)
- They were worthy of special mention.
- USES OF THE WORD "ELDER"