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As the word is so it means. Elders are simply and profoundly the "older ones" - nothing more. This statement is in perfect agreement with not only the Old and New Testament Scriptures but with Jewish and Christian history as well.
As for their obligations, Christian elders have been ordained by almighty God to serve as the guardians, guides, pastors, tutors, and mentors of those in the church and community. Every young person was to be raised and trained to assume the shepherding role of an older one or elder. What we refer to as qualifications to the office of elder are actually the requirements of every single older one! These are requirements for life and not conditions for an office.
Ironically, communities in places such as Africa and the Far East have a better comprehension of and respect for their elders than do modern saints in the West.
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.
Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalms 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.
Psalms 1:4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Psalms 1:5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly. Psalms 1:6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalms 1:5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly.
Psalms 1:6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalms 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.
Psalms 1:4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Psalms 1:5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly. Psalms 1:6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.
Old Testament Texts:
Genesis 50:7 And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,
Exodus 3:16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
1Kings 12:8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.
New Testament Texts:
1Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
1Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
1Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Old Testament Texts:
Genesis 50:7 And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,
Exodus 3:16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
If these things be so why has it not been documented?
The truth is so plain as to the identity of the eldership that only a theologian could miss it. Unfortunately, theologians, for the most part, have set the stage for church structure and church life. This is about to change. And yes, this shift has been documented.
Biblical eldership has been completely misunderstood, misdefined, misapplied. The result of which has been unfortunate - even catastrophic. Eldership was to have been a core value in each church, family, and local community.
These realities have truly been unrealized. If the identity of the eldership has been virtually unknown then the responsibilities of the eldership have necessarily been unfulfilled! An incalculable loss has been the effect.
Two revolutionary concepts remain to be discovered: Besides the (1) identity of the eldership, the (2) parity or equality of Christian elders must also be realized. Happily, these principles are beginning to gain acceptance in some quarters.
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