Elders and deacons in the Bible

I. Leadership in the N.T. Church

There are two offices in the New Testament Church, elders and deacons.

A. Elders

Elders are leaders set apart by the church for the ministry of the Word and of prayer.

1. Names

a. Presbuteros = elder/shepherd or pastor

b. Episkopos = bishop/overseer

c. They are all used interchangeably in the N.T. to refer to the same leader, elder. Acts 20:17,28 (elders = shepherds = overseers/bishops). Titus 1:5,7; I Peter 5:1-2 (elders = shepherd = overseer/bishop)

2. Qualifications

Elders need to manage their families well, be an example of living for Christ, have a good reputation among believes and non-Christians and be able to teach. I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9

3. Plurality

In the New Testament there were always more than one elder per church. Acts 14:23, 15:22, 16:4, 20:17, 21:18; Titus 1:5; James 5:14

4. Responsibilities of elders

a. Watch over and protect the church, particularly from doctrinal

error. Acts 20:28

b. Recognize and appoint/ordain other elders. I Timothy 4:14; Titus

1:5. See also II B1 below.

c. Direct the affairs of the church, preach, teach. I Timothy 5:17.

“Direct” or “govern” are better translations than “rule” for this

verse.

d. Care for and be an example to the church, do not be abusive with

power. I Peter 5:2-3

5. How the church relates to elders

a. Respect them, hold them in high regard. I Thessalonians 5:11-12

b. Remember and respond to what they teach, imitate their godly

example. Hebrews 13:7

c. Elders are not above church discipline. Accusations should be supported by two or three witnesses. I Timothy 5:19-21

B. Deacons

Deacons are servant leaders set apart by the church to handle ministries that would take elders away from their primary ministries of the Word and prayer. Acts. 6:1-6

1. Qualifications

Deacons need to manage their families well, have good reputations, and be examples of living for Christ. Their qualifications are similar to elders except that elders are able to teach God’s Word.

I Timothy 3:8-13

2. Responsibilities

Deacons serve needs discerned by the elders.

II. The Congregation in the N.T. Church

A. The church is composed only of regenerate members. I Corinthians 1:2, 12:13

B. Responsibilities of the Congregation

1. Confirm leaders. Acts 6:3,5, 15:22,25; II Corinthians 8:19

2. Recognize and turn from error if it is taught. Galatians 1:2,6-9;

II Timothy 4:3

3. Serve as the final judicatory in matters of church discipline and doctrine. Matthew 18:17, I Corinthians 5:4-5, II Corinthians 2:6, Galatians 1:6-9, II Timothy 4

© First Baptist Church of Perryville