Church Governments

Lesson 5

The Elder’s Ministry

The elder’s ministry (i.e., the congregational elder) was established by the nation of Israel while in Egypt, prior to the Exodus. This is evident from passages like Exodus 3:16, “Go, and gather the elders of Israel together.” It is clear from this context that these original elders were part of the established leadership that helped govern and oversee the nation of Hebrews while in Egyptian captivity. Moses inherited these elders, and they formed the first presbytery of the Bible. The very first command God gave Moses concerning this type of elders sets a precedent for their ministry in the New Testament.

• Go and bring together the elders of Israel and tell them . . . The elders will listen to you, and then you and the elders of Israel must go to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’  – Exodus 3:16a, 18 NET

The responsibilities listed below can be principilized from this verse:

• When a boss promotes you, he gives you more of his authority.

• When a father promotes you, he gives you more of his authority.

• When a church leader promotes you, you are given more of their authority.

The first Passover was instituted while the Israelites were still in Egypt. The command from God to Moses was then delivered directly to the elders.

• Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.  – Exodus 12:21

This delegation of orders wasn’t just a way to disseminate the Passover instructions throughout the nation; it also served to demonstrate that the elders must lead by example.

• The elder’s household must be first partakers of the Passover instructions, viz., they lead by example.

Time and again, the elders were present with Moses, representing their unity, their support, and their role in helping to bear the burdens of the people.

• They were present when Moses struck the rock (Exodus 17:5-6).

• They were present when Jethro sacrificed a burnt offering (Exodus 18:12).

• They were present with Moses when he gave Israel instructions at the base of Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:7-8).

• They were commanded to ascend Mt. Sinai with Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu. This is the first time the number of elders is revealed. It could be that there were only 70 total to being with, or this could be the Lord limiting the number to a strict 70 from a greater original pool (i.e., “and seventy of the elders,” not, “the seventy elders”) which is more likely, given the total population of Israel (Exodus 24:1).

• The seventy elders “saw the God of Israel . . . and did eat and drink” (Exodus 24:9-11).

• The elders laid hands on the bull used as a congregational sin offering (Leviticus 4:15). I believe this symbolizes their role in helping the congregation stay clean.

• They went with Moses to confront the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16:23-27).

• They stood with Moses as he was preparing Israel to finally enter the Promised Land, when he redelivered all the laws and commanded Israel to keep them (Deuteronomy 27:1).

REPLACEMENT OF ELDERS

There came a time during the Exodus when the elders Moses had inherited were no longer living up to their responsibilities. Moses was greatly burden by the needs and complaints of the people. His cry for help (and suicide) was met with an unusual answer from God: get better elders.

• What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? . . . Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors? . . . I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!  – Numbers 11:11c, 12b, 14-15 NLT

A closer look at Moses’ expressions like “the burden of all these people,” “carry them in my arms,” and “heavy load” grants the believer great insight into the burden of ministry. God’s answer to His suicidal under-shepherd was: get better elders.

• The LORD said to Moses, “Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know are elders of the people and officials over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting; let them take their position there with you. Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take part of the spirit that is on you, and will put it on them, and they will bear some of the burden of the people with you, so that you do not bear it all by yourself.”  – Numbers 11:16-17 NET

These are clearly replacement elders (perhaps not everyone was replaced, but I’m sure most were). This new batch of elders would:

• Be known by Moses. He was in relationship with these guys, unlike the original batch.

• Already be moving among the people in a caring role of leadership.

• Take their place in position beside Moses at the Tent of Meeting

• Be given a measure of Moses’ anointing for the sole purpose of bearing the burden of the people.

• Ensure that Moses didn’t bear the burden alone.

• Begin to prophesy by the Spirit of God (speaking edification, exhortation, and comfort, presumably to the people).

THE SANHEDRIN

During the time of Christ, the Sanhedrin, or Great Council, was the updated version of Moses’ Seventy Elders. It became more political and responsible for legislative and judicial decisions (Matthew 5:22; 26:59; Mark 14:55; Acts 4:15). It was comprised of 71 members, including priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees. After the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, it moved to Galilee. It was finally disbanded in 425 AD.

NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH ELDERS

The early Church followed in the tradition of Moses by establishing and using elders. The first reference to church elders is in Acts 11:30:

• So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.  – Acts 11:29-30 NLT

The Book of Acts grants many insights into the elder’s ministry:

• Barnabas and Paul ordained elders in every church (Acts 14:23), no doubt patterning their new works after the Jerusalem flagship church which had its own

• “apostles and elders” (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22-23; 16:4), no doubt patterned themselves after Judaism with its,

• “chief priests and elders” (Acts 4:23; 23:14; 24:1; 25:15).

• Paul once called a special elders’ meeting while in Ephesus (Acts 20:17). He exhorted them to protect the church.

Church elders follow in the vein of Moses’ elders. The NT qualifications are found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Below is a chart comparing the two different lists.

There are 17 Ephesian criteria as compared to 15 Cretan criteria, with 10 criteria being identical. The explanation for this rests in the cultural differences between the two churches. Paul emphasizes a necessary aversion to greed and money twice for the Ephesian elder which is in line with the city’s reputation for commercial success and wealth. By comparison, the Cretan criteria lean heavily against the three-point Epimenidian reputation: liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons, thus, there in Crete it would be especially important for elders to be just and holy, not self-willed; and their kids can’t be anything like their culture (wild and rebellious). The general rule would be that local church elders and their families must stand out as different than the worldly culture around them.

FURTHER NEW TESTAMENT INSIGHTS

Paul’s Ephesian elder conference in Acts 20:18-31 provides a few more responsibilities for church leaders:

• Guard yourselves

• Guard God’s flock

• Feed the flock

• Guide the flock

So then, generally speaking, elders are appointed leaders, drawn from the local congregation, whose lives and families reflect the gospel’s transformative power, who then desires the responsibility of helping lead, feed, and protect the local church and do so under the delegated authority of the local pastor. Amen!