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ELDERS OF THE CHURCH - No. I

MEMORY VERSES: I Timothy 3:1-7.

1. INTRODUCTION:
   1. We come now to study church government. This is a much misunderstood subject. Members of the church should be well informed as to what the Bible teaches on this subject.
   2. The Bible teaches that --
      1. Christ is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23; Ephesians 1:20-23).
      2. Christ has all authority (Matthew 28:18).
      3. Christ has preeminence in all things (Colossians 1:18).
      4. We are to hear Christ (Matthew 17:5).
      5. Christ sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles to guide them into all truth (John 14:26; 16:7, 8, 13; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1ff). The New Testament is Christ's law by which the church is to be governed.
      6. Each local congregation is to be autonomous in government.
      7. Autonomy means "right of self-government; a self-governing state; an independent body."
      8. Each congregation was so governed in the first century. There was no tyranny of one church over another. The church in Jerusalem or Rome had no authority over the congregations in other communities. Each church was independent and free, under the teaching of Christ and the apostles, to govern itself, carry on its work, and manage its own affairs. The New Testament church had no system of church government larger nor smaller than the local congregation.
      9. Each church had a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; Acts 20:17).
2. QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ELDER:
   1. First we will study the qualifications given in I Timothy 3:2-7.
      1. Must be blameless. Nothing can be proved against him.
      2. The husband of one wife. A married man.
      3. Vigilant. Watchful.
      4. Sober. Able to exercise good judgment under trying circumstances. Not easily swayed. Self-controlled. Cool-headed.
      5. Of good behavior. A well-ordered life. So conduct himself that his actions speak well of him.
      6. Given to hospitality. Be hospitable. Have the spirit of a good Samaritan.
      7. Apt to teach. Capable of imparting Biblical truths and that relation to humanity.
      8. Not given to wine. Not a drunkard.
      9. No striker. Not pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome; a bruiser, ready with a blow.
      10. Not greedv of filthy lucre.
      11. Patient. Steadfast, faithful, longsuffering. Not easily swayed.
      12. Not a brawler. Not quarrelsome, nor abusive, nor insulting.
      13. Not covetous. No lover of money.
      14. One that ruleth well his own house.
      15. Not a novice. Not a new convert. Must be a Christian long enough to develop a character which demonstrates his ability to be an elder.
      16. Must have a good report of them which are without. Have good reputation among outsiders.
   2. Qualifications of an elder listed in Titus 1:6-9.
      1. Blameless. Must live so that no accusation of impure motives or of bad conduct can be proved by an accuser.
      2. Husband of one wife. A married man. No polygamist.
      3. Having faithful children.
      4. Not self-willed. Not determined to have his own way.
      5. Not soon angrv. Not irritable.
      6. Not given to wine. Not a drunkard.
      7. No striker. Not ready with a blow.
      8. Not given to filthv lucre. Not covetous.
      9. A lover of hospitality. Friendly; one who shows kindness.
      10. A lover of good men. Devoted to what is good and beneficial to others. Loves good.
      11. Sober. Able to exercise good judgment under all circumstances.
      12. Just. Rendering to each his due. Not governed by pride or prejudice.
      13. Holy. Undefiled bv sin, free from wickedness, pure.
      14. Temperate. Chaste, controlling one's self.
      15. Hold fast the faithful word.

   NOTE: Some seem to think that it is not necessary for anv one elder to possess all the qualifications. The reason that one man mav possess some of the qualifications and another may possess others, and so on; and if these add up to the number of qualifications required, those men mav be scripturally appointed to the eldership. This teaching is erroneous. Each man must pos- sess every qualification before he can be appointed an elder. No man may possess every qualification to an absolutely perfect degree, but he can and must possess all of these qualifications in a relative sense.

   The office of an elder is not an official position, but rather a work to be faithfully and willingly performed. If one truly desires to be an elder, he must realize that he must put forth much effort to qualify himself for such a high and honorable service.

3. QUESTIONS:
   1. Why do we need to be well informed on what the Bible says about church government?
   2. Who is the head of the church?
   3. How much authority does Christ have? Give scriptures to prove your answer.
   4. What does autonomy mean?
   5. Is a congregation scripturally organized when it has only one elder? Explain and prove your answer by the Bible.
   6. Name the qualifications of an elder as given in I Timothy 3:2-7.
   7. In your honest opinion, do you believe that the church is hindered today because of the lack of qualified elders?