Post by didymus on Oct 8, 2010 16:14:45 GMT -5
When considering elders in the church, we first have to understand the way the Bible is using that word. To do that we need to see the Greek word that is translated "elder," which is, "prebuteros." This word is used of age, either chronological, or in maturity. Hence an old man. Of rank or position of responsibility. In the church, those who were appointed to have spiritual care, and to exercise oversight of the churches. These are also called bishops, and overseers. - see Vine's Dictionary of New Testament Words.
Now, let's look how the word is used.
Luke 15.25: “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing." Obviously referring to chronological age.
I Timothy 5.1-2: "Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity." Once again, referring to chronological age. The second, translated "older women" is in the feminine gender, while "older man" is in the masculine gender.
I Timothy 5.17: "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." Her we see that elders do indeed "rule." And those who "rule well," are worthy of double honor.
I Timothy 5.19: "Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses." This is an elder in the church, more than age. This the bishop/overseer. We are not to believe everything negative we hear about an elder, unless there two or three credible witnesses.
I Peter 5.5: "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'” Again, referring to elders in the church.
2 John 1.1: "The Elder, to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,"
3 John 1.1: "The Elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth."
In both the apostle John introduces himself as an "elder."
What then can we see about the elders in the church? We see that they are older, even advanced in age. We see that they are rulers, that those who rule well are to be counted as worthy of double honor, especially those that labor in word and doctrine. It is improper to receive accusations and elder, unless there are two or three credible witnesses.
In I Peter 5.5, we see that the younger people are to submit themselves to the elders. Notice the phrase, "submit yourselves to your elders." The word "submit" is translated from the Greek word, hupotasso. This means to place yourself under submission, subjection, to be obedient to. So younger people in the church are to be under submission, under subjection, and obedient to the elders of the church. Further, according to Vine, hupotasso is a military term indicating "lower rank." So, the younger people of the church are to place themselves under the rank of the elders. to place themselves under the authority, or rulership, of the elders.
All this is not to say that elders have authority of their own, as they too are under authority. They are in a lower rank than that of Christ, who has all authority in the church. So, elders cannot make decrees beyond the decrees of Christ. Some churches have used the authority of the elders to establish rules and regulations that have no Scriptural foundation. Such as, I attended a church that had a rule that members must wear black shoes to church. And I'm sure many are aware of the Amish church's rules and regulations. From the idea of not being conformed to the world, the elders of the Amish church made rules and regulations about electricity, cars, clothing, etc. Rules that have no foundation in Scripture. However, they can vote.
Elders must be under the authority of Christ. Then the younger people of the church are to be under the authority of those elders. If elders become an authority of their own, and are not under the authority of Christ, we are not under any obligation to submit, subject, or to be in obedience to those elders. Unfortunately, many elders in the churches today are not under the authority of Christ. That leaves the younger Christians no authority to be under, except Christ himself, who is the chief elder.
- all Scriptures from the New King James Version
Now it's your turn.
Now, let's look how the word is used.
Luke 15.25: “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing." Obviously referring to chronological age.
I Timothy 5.1-2: "Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity." Once again, referring to chronological age. The second, translated "older women" is in the feminine gender, while "older man" is in the masculine gender.
I Timothy 5.17: "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." Her we see that elders do indeed "rule." And those who "rule well," are worthy of double honor.
I Timothy 5.19: "Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses." This is an elder in the church, more than age. This the bishop/overseer. We are not to believe everything negative we hear about an elder, unless there two or three credible witnesses.
I Peter 5.5: "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'” Again, referring to elders in the church.
2 John 1.1: "The Elder, to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,"
3 John 1.1: "The Elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth."
In both the apostle John introduces himself as an "elder."
What then can we see about the elders in the church? We see that they are older, even advanced in age. We see that they are rulers, that those who rule well are to be counted as worthy of double honor, especially those that labor in word and doctrine. It is improper to receive accusations and elder, unless there are two or three credible witnesses.
In I Peter 5.5, we see that the younger people are to submit themselves to the elders. Notice the phrase, "submit yourselves to your elders." The word "submit" is translated from the Greek word, hupotasso. This means to place yourself under submission, subjection, to be obedient to. So younger people in the church are to be under submission, under subjection, and obedient to the elders of the church. Further, according to Vine, hupotasso is a military term indicating "lower rank." So, the younger people of the church are to place themselves under the rank of the elders. to place themselves under the authority, or rulership, of the elders.
All this is not to say that elders have authority of their own, as they too are under authority. They are in a lower rank than that of Christ, who has all authority in the church. So, elders cannot make decrees beyond the decrees of Christ. Some churches have used the authority of the elders to establish rules and regulations that have no Scriptural foundation. Such as, I attended a church that had a rule that members must wear black shoes to church. And I'm sure many are aware of the Amish church's rules and regulations. From the idea of not being conformed to the world, the elders of the Amish church made rules and regulations about electricity, cars, clothing, etc. Rules that have no foundation in Scripture. However, they can vote.
Elders must be under the authority of Christ. Then the younger people of the church are to be under the authority of those elders. If elders become an authority of their own, and are not under the authority of Christ, we are not under any obligation to submit, subject, or to be in obedience to those elders. Unfortunately, many elders in the churches today are not under the authority of Christ. That leaves the younger Christians no authority to be under, except Christ himself, who is the chief elder.
- all Scriptures from the New King James Version
Now it's your turn.