Church elders: in the New Testament.

By John Chopores

Elders are “overseers” of the people in the church.

Ac 20:17 ¶ From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

Ac 20:28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

An elder needs to lead a holy life.

Tit 1:5 ¶ For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you--

6 ¶ if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,

9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Are many times entrusted with money

Ac 11:29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.

30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Each church should have its own elders

Ac 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Some Apostles are elders: and some are not.

Ac 15:4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

1Pe 5:1 ¶ The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

Elders can help make decisions on Church policy and doctrine.

Ac 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.

5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

They can help someone receive a ministry Gift of the Spirit

1Ti 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

Some elders, are teaching elders.

1Ti 5:17 ¶ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

Cannot be removed without witnesses.

1Ti 5:19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

One of the duties of an elder: is to pray for sick Christians.

Jas 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Elders are to lead: not control!