Biblical Elders

What is a biblical elder/teacher?

I chose to write on this topic for several reasons. We find so few men who are acting as elders today that really do not meet the biblical standard at all. Most are not what the bible says they need to be and that is shameful! I also realize it is very important that we understand their role and who should be an elder in the first place.

Today many people are very confused as to what is a biblical elder and what are the qualifications for a elder per God's Word? The Apostle Paul made it very clear for us if only we will go to the Word for the answer. First let's address what is an elder?

The word elder in Greek is presbuteros: it means an older man ( not by age always but; older in spiritual maturity ) Timothy was a younger man but a mature follower of Christ. It is not based on age but a man's spiritual standing in the Lord. They are to be overseeing the gathering, making sure the Word is kept and allowing / encouraging other men to step up to teach and use their gifts often.
Note: many understand that elder, pastor and bishop have similar meanings and roles. Paul says they are to teach....

Next, unlike your denominational systems today with usually just one modern pastor in total charge, Paul calls for multiple elders to be in place. We see this all over the New Testament churches; multiple elders not just one man as the CEO leader. That is unbiblical. In later centuries we even see regional bishops coming into the picture to rule and then the pagan pope system but this is not of God's Word or Ways. It was always multiple elders in time that over saw biblical bodies of Christ, not one man.

These men act as overseers of the body, teachers, not men to run it, control it or to lording over it. (Jesus warned in Matt 20 they should NOT lord over anyone but be servants to all) peter said to be servants and examples as well. When you have multiple elders you have better accountability and the body stands a greater chance of being holy/ looking like Jesus Christ vs looking like that one man due to his certain theology and weaknesses. Also many men are to step up and be active in the body and not just one man doing all the teaching. ( see 1 cor 14;26 ) This is how saints are grown up for ministry not just pew sitting.

Moving on we can find the instruction from the Apostle Paul in Titus on who can be a elder and he notes several important things.
Titus 1
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—  if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.  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,  but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,  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.

Lets look at those closer......

An elder must be blameless.....
Keep in mind these instructions were for men that would oversee the Lord's body. It is very important
that they have a blameless walk in the Lord. (Not a perfect past, not at all... but a blameless walk after salvation.)

An elder must be a husband of one wife......
Clearly this means a woman cannot ever be an elder as so many today have lady pastors/elders which goes against God's Word and ways. Also in their time there were men in the culture with multiple wives and Paul is making it clear; one husband and one wife is the godly standard as Jesus said the same thing in the gospels. Now many will say "this means a elder could 'never' be a divorced man and remarried". While I cant prove it 100% with the Word, I would say based on the spirit of the Word and other scriptures, I personally disagree and here is why: 

1) If he was divorced before he was a believer/elder and he was blameless after that, he gets a total new start in the Lord like everyone else. (2 Corinthians 5:17... he is a new creation and wasn't Paul a murderer) 

2) If a man could only have one wife ever as a leader, that means if an elders wife dies and he remarries that he must step down and that makes no sense at all. 

3) God, Moses, Jesus and Paul allowed for remarriage after divorce in some cases so that nullifies the one wife standard men make up. 

If he was divorced "after being a believer" and it had to do with his own actions, I believe that would act to nullify him as an elder role model. My own personal feelings are that it would always be "best" to have elders who were not divorced in their Christian past (as saints) as that would remove any possible issues for him as a overseer of the Lord's body. It is a very hard thing to find mature godly men who will contend for the faith, are very sound in doctrine, are godly and qualified men who can teach. We should not add a greater burden to men who may well qualify (no divorce ever) as God used a MURDERER in Paul as a Apostle leader so I know he can use men like me; who had pre Christ divorce!  

Here is many articles on divorce and remarriage:
http://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/search/label/Divorce%20and%20Remarriage

An elder must have faithful children.....
This is one area that seems very clear but it needs some clarification.
If a man has minor children at home they indeed must be in line with the Word or how could he assist the body if his own house is in discord. But if a man has wayward "adult children" who were raised and gone "before he came to Christ"; this would in no why disqualify him as a elder. (2 Cor 5:17 applies) Again, in my opinion it is always wise to have men who have a long and stable track record "in Christ" so a man with believing children (as grown adults) is a very good thing indeed but men who have no children at home cannot be ruled out based on pre conversions issues.

An elder must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,  but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.
Here is where so many we meet in the role of elder/pastor fail very badly.
Some of the most angry, quick tempered, worldly and carnal people in religious bodies are the men running the show weekly which is NOT their role. Many seem to be power hungry when they are to only oversee and encourage other men to step up and use their gifts in the body. Sadly the system of man's religion today is to have everyone sit in pews and listen to "one man" teach week after week. This is a false system and you can learn about that in detail at our main blog:
http://spiritandtruthormansreligion.blogspot.com/ (exposing denominational religion with God's Word)

An elder must hold 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.
This means he must stand on God's Word and be able to teach it and apply it to all areas.
Again as we go and talk with the denominational systems and the leaders there; we see a gapping holes here as well. So many of them today have long ago left sound doctrine to fill up buildings, please men and soothe the itchy ears of the crowds in the pews ( 1 Timothy 4 )
These men are to be able to teach with sound doctrine those who contradict. But most often they are the ones who are contradicting scripture and when confronted about that in love, they run away into the darkness and hide. Those who do this are mere hirelings ( fake paid leaders) and NOT biblical elders at all.

Lets look at 1 Tim 3

3 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Note: 
A mans house would include children and his wife as she is to submit to him. Eph 5:22

Also he is to have a GOOD reputation with the world meaning not a sinful man as a saint that would smear Gods name or truth. 

So we can see from Paul's instructions what a elder is, who should be a elder and how that is carried out for God's glory. I am not sure why there is so much confusion other then the fact people seem to refuse to just accept what God's Word clearly says. It is a good thing to desire the role of an elder/pastor but please don't be fooled into thinking it is a lifted up closer to the Lord role as it is not. They too are to be held to God's Word and called out when they are in error or teaching false doctrine. To not correct them is sin. Also don't think that by having elders it somehow lets you other men off the hook to just sit and be pew potato's as it certainly doesn't not! You are a priest to the Lord (1 Peter 4) so act like it and do your part in the gathering as well using your gifts.

God's plan for the body life is a wonderful thing. We are ALL called to be active and part of the Lord's body ( 1 Corinthians 14:26 ) using our gifts and living as His holy body daily/24-7 and not just on a Sunday morning as ritual religion. Not every body will even have elders especially if you are a new gathering. ( biblical bodies had none for a time ) But in time the Lord will raise up godly men for those roles. You should pray for your elders (if you have them) and remember to help them by doing your part in the body always and be clinging to the Word in all your ways. A godly body will need very littel elder action but a troublesome body will need much guidance. 

Here are some bad examples of elders/teachers:

God be praised

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