Responsibilities of Elders – The Establishment of Elders

• Responsibilities of Elders
• Acts 20:28-32
• The Work of Elders
• 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

• The Work of Elders
• Overseers
– Acts 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.


• The Work of Elders
• Shepherds – protect the flock
– Acts 20:29 …to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.



• The Work of Elders
• Feed by Teaching the Word
– Acts 20:32 So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
• The Work of Elders
• To rule: “take care of”
– 1 Timothy 3:4-5 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?)
• The Work of Elders
• Labor in the Word
– 1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

• The Work of Elders
• Watch for Souls
– Hebrews 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.

• The Work of Elders
• Willingly Lead by Example
– 1 Peter 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
• The Work of Elders
• Elders’ Reward
– 1 Pet. 5:4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

• Responsibilities of the Congregation
• Know them and esteem them
– 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.
• Responsibilities of the Congregation
• Obey and submit to their lead
– Hebrews 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.
• Responsibilities of the Congregation
• Not receive unfounded accusations
– 1 Timothy 5:19-20 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

• Responsibilities of the Congregation
• Call upon them for prayer and guidance
– James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

• Selection and Appointment of Elders
• Selected by all, then appointed by consent
– Acts 6:2-3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
• Selection and Appointment of Elders
• Appoint elders – to set apart and approve
– Acts 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.

• Selection and Appointment of Elders
• Appointed by a respected leader
– Titus 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 --

• Selection and Appointment of Elders
• With prayer - Not done hastily
– Acts 13:3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
– 1 Timothy 5:22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.