It's always interesting looking into the study of Elders, Bishops, Presbytery, and Pastors. As we know, today each of these are seen as different things, offices, etc. But this wasn't always the case. In the early years of the ekklesia, or the elect (which is what it was referred to in the earlier years too, but was later changed to the word church ), there was no real distinction between the terms elder, bishop, and pastor. If we look in Acts chapter 20 we can see where the leaders of the elect were referred to by each.
Acts 20:17 & 28
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. (KJV)
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (KJV)
Examine the Greek word for elders.
Strong's Number - 4245 presbuteros {pres-boo'-ter-os}
Meaning: 1) elder, of age, 1a) the elder of two people 1b) advanced in life, an elder, a senior 1b1) forefathers 2) a term of rank or office 2a) among the Jews 2a1) members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men) 2a2) of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice 2b) among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably 2c) the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God.
The word elders is pretty much the same as presbytery and their function is the same as a bishop, shepherd or pastor (I do find it interesting that the word pastor is only found once in the NT, yet every "church" has to have one leading them. There is certainly more ground for an eldership or bishoprick.). It's good to note that we see elders being appointed and ordained in every place where an assembly of believers sprang up (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5), but we don't find this with bishops, pastors or evangelists as is commonly practised today.
Check out the Greek word for overseer.
Strong's Number - 1985 episkopos {ep-is'-kop-os}
Meaning: 1) an overseer 1a) a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent 1b) the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church.
A bishop is simply one who oversees the elect. The word was borrowed from the general culture and could refer to almost any kind of overseeing responsibility over others.
Feast your eyes on the Greek word for feed.
Strong's Number - 4165 poimaino {poy-mah'-ee-no}
Meaning: 1) to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep 1a) to rule, govern 1a1) of rulers 1a2) to furnish pasture for food 1a3) to nourish 1a4) to cherish one's body, to serve the body 1a5) to supply the requisites for the soul's need
The word feed in verse 28 implies the whole office of the shepherd (pastor), guiding, guarding, folding of the flock as well as leading to its nourishment.
Acts 20:28 isn't the only place where elders are called to do the "job" of shepherding and overseeing, but Peter did the same thing.
1P 5:1-2
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:
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; (KJV)
The words Peter used here are the same words Paul used to the elect in Ephesus! And If you notice it is addressed to the elders!
Elders were to lead the elect by teaching sound doctrine, helping believers mature spiritually, and equipping them to live for Christ in the face of persecution.
Scripture has also shown that there are different roles among elders. Some are simply to oversee or "rule" over the church while others labor in the Word of God and doctrine.
1 Tim 5:17
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. (KJV)
We see from Paul that not all elders are required to teach as some believe and enforce. No wonder they cannot find enough "qualified elders". If they would realize that not all are required to teach I'm sure there would be a few more men that would qualify. Before moving on, observe how those elders who do teach are "worthy of double honour".
Note that scripture refers to a plurality of elders in each church. In other words, churches are not headed up by one person but rather by a group of people who meet the qualifications of an elder (1 Timothy 3).
In Acts 15 we see the apostles and elders made up the council in Jerusalem which gave instruction to Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
When looking at our present "church" government structure and comparing it to the New Testament we find that it is much different. Today the elders are a board which meets every so often to do just about anything other than what the New Testament describes them doing. Plus, many elders of the "church" today do not meet the requirements laid out in 1 Tim 3 or in Titus 1. In many "churches" today elders can't even teach the Word of God, much less contend for the faith, because they don't really know the Word of God themself. What we do find is a pastor who does the work of an elder. In larger "churches" there may be more than one pastor, but for most they are headed by a single pastor. This is not shown in Scripture.
Another interesting note is that there are no women elders mentioned in the New Testament. Some say that we live in different times and that the women have new freedoms and certain equalities with men in the world, so the "church" can be patterned the same way. If we know God's Word at all we know that we are not to pattern ourselves after the world (Rom 12:1-2). It doesn't matter how much our society or culture changes, we don't add or take away from God's Word to accomodate. Even the requirements for an elder in the New Testament show them to be a man (1 Tim 3:1-7). Don't despair ladies. Women do have a role in the Body of Christ.
In conclusion, we can see that elders were the leaders of the elect and not a pastor. If people truly desire to pattern their assembly after Scripture then they need to place the elders in their proper position. I believe that many "churches" will have a hard time finding qualified elders (1 Tim 3), because the requirements today are much different. Will you follow the pattern of "church" government found in the New Testament, or will you settle for something other than what is layed out in Scripture? The choice is yours. If you think this is too hard, or that noone else is doing it check out a pastor's resignation letter.
Don't you think it's time to follow the example set before us in Scripture?
To learn about the pattern of eldership as seen in scripture to lead and govern the church read the article The Pattern Of Elders In The Early Church.
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