A. Terminology

First we must look at the terminology used in the New Testament to describe this office. Three Greek words (which are translated into six English words) refer to this function. Just as the words "church," "body," "kingdom," etc., refer to the people of God, so each of these words refer to the same office (Act 20:17; 28; Tit 1:5-7).

Act 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church... 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. (NKJ)

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, (NKJ)

PRESBUTEROS: Translated "presbyter" or "elder," it means "an older person, one advanced in life."

EPISKOPOS: Translated "bishop" or "overseer," it denotes "a superintendent, one who sees that things are done properly."

POIMEN: Translated "pastor" or "shepherd," it refers to one who does in the church what a shepherd does for a flock of sheep.

B. Plurality Required

According to the New Testament pattern, a plurality of elders should be found in every church (Act 14:23; 20:17; Phi 1:1). Any attempt to ignore this pattern is sinful.

Act 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. (NKJ)

Act 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. (NKJ)

Phi 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (NKJ)

C. Extent Of Oversight

The oversight of elders is limited to the local congregation of which they are members (Act 20:28; 1Pe 5:1-4). Any attempt to overstep these bounds is wrong.

Act 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. (NKJ)

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: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (NKJ)

D. Qualifications

The selection of elders is to be carefully guarded. The Lord has stated a number of very strict requirements pertaining to their character, reputation, habits, domestic relationships, and experience (1Ti 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9).

1Ti 3:1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (NKJ)

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. (NKJ)

E. Duties

1. Watch (Act 20:28-31; Tit 1:9-11; Heb 13:17).

Act 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. 29 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (NKJ)

Tit 1:9 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. 10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. (NKJ)

Heb 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (NKJ)

2. Rule (1Ti 5:17; Heb 13:17; 1Pe 5:2-3).

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

Heb 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (NKJ)

1Pe 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; (NKJ)

3. Work (Act 20:28; 1Pe 5:2; 1Th 5:12; 1Ti 3:1).

Act 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. (NKJ)

1Pe 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; (NKJ)

1Th 5:12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, (NKJ)

1Ti 3:1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. (NKJ)