The Duties of an Elder

[Mark H. Stevens, Th.D]

1. The Term "Elder"
1. PRESBUTEROS - elder, an old man, a leader in the church.
The term is used
1. of the elder of two persons (Luke 15:25, or more,
John 8:9).
2. of a person advanced in age (Acts 2:17; in Heb.
11:2).
3. of the forefathers in Israel (Matt. 15:2; Mark
7:3,5).
4. of members of the Sanhedrin (Matt. 16:21; 26:47).
5. of those who managed public affairs in the various
cities (Luke 7:3).
6. of those who were the heads or leaders of the tribes
and families, as of the seventy who helped Moses (Num. 11:16; Deut.
27:1). This included:
1. acting as judges in apprehending murderers
(Deut. 19:12).
2. conducting inquests (Deut. 21:2).
3. settling matrimonial disputes (Deut. 22:15;
25:7).
4. If theirs was a city of refuge they also heard
pleas for asylum (Joshua 20:4).
7. of those qualified by the Holy Spirit who exercised
spiritual care and oversight of the local congregation.
2. EPISKOPOI - overseers, bishops
1. Titus equates bishop and elder in Titus 1:5-9.
2. Regarding the Office:
1. The office of Elder is a divinely appointed office as
defined in the Pastoral Epistles.
2. Elders are apparently appointed by the laying on of hands
(1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6).
3. Should receive double honor in the church (1 Tim. 5:17).
4. The pastor is an elder (1 Peter 5:1-3).
5. The pastor is an elder who preaches and/or teaches (1 Tim.
5:17).
1. The pastor (elder) is to equip the body of Christ
(Eph. 4:11-13).
6. Must be a man (1 Tim. 2:9-13).
1. All uses of "elder" are in the masculine except for
1 Tim. 5:2 where it means older women.
3. The Responsibilities of Elders in the NT Church:
1. Must shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:2).
2. Must voluntarily exercise oversight upon the flock (1
Peter 5:2).
3. Must live as examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:3).
4. Anoint and pray for the sick (James 5:14).
5. They have the tasks of teaching (1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5,9).
6. They have the tasks of acting as judges (Acts
15:2,6,22-29; 16:4).
4. Qualifications for an elder
1. Must be above reproach (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim. 3:2)
2. Husband of one wife (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim. 3:2).
3. Household must be in order with children who believe
(Titus 1:6 ;1 Tim. 3:4).
4. Not a new convert (1 Tim. 3:6).
5. Self controlled and temperate (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:2).
6. Honorable, hospitable, seeking good (Titus 1:7).
7. Have a good reputation (1 Tim. 3:7).
8. Not addicted to wine (1 Tim. 3:3).
9. Not greedy (1 Tim. 3:3).
10. Able to exhort (teach) sound doctrine (Titus 1:9; 1 Tim.
3:2).
11. Able to refute false teaching (Titus 1:9).
12. They must be ready to earn their own living if necessary
(Acts 20:17, 33-35).

[Mark H. Stevens, Th.D]

Nothing can be added to this my brother...the word says it "ALL"...

[2 Timothy 3:16-17]
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto good works."
King James Version


"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

[Mark H. Stevens, Th.D]

BTW the Bible is pretty self explaintory and I DO believe what Paul wrote IS GOD ordained, Our denominational bias and dogma doesn't supercede the WORD of God.

[Mark H. Stevens, Th.D]

And YOUR point is? I posted this because we use titles such as "Elder" and really don't understand what the title entails, please don't be so condesending brother I have TAUGHT hermeneutics and I am working on my doctorate in Theology.

[RevZ]

And your point is?
As an African Methodist I am ordained and Elder and so are many of my female counterparts.
The Hebrew society being male oriented looked at the world from that point of view, what Paul wrote is not what God ordained. There would have to be a major cultural paradigm shift for women to rise in the synagogue.

When scripture are quoted the hermeneutics and exegesis must be correct. The meaning Mark has to be true to the language, the time, the place and the intended audience Example: do a Strong's search on the word 'meat' as it is used, does it always refer to animal flesh? The examples are plentiful.

You list a long string of New Testament quotes, it appears you think the meaning is clear, and I am hear to tell you it is not, in many cases not even close to what I believe you think is your intended message.

If you are trying to make a case for the primacy of men in the institutional church in Christian denomination I do not feel it was effective.