who were elders in the bible

What is the matrix in the King James Bible? The Elders are also a symbol of the Church, which is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ. This is based on the fact that there were 12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles of Christ. 3.5 Now we can try to summarize what we have learned about elders in the churches of Paul. In some cases, they were also responsible for performing miracles and healing the sick. What Does the Bible Say About Attending Church? In the Judaism of Jesus day the elders of Israel were still dominant. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The Bible is not clear of their identity, but there are some things we can learn from Scripture that can lead us to some speculations or possibilities of who these elders are or what they symbolize. We can tell the 24 elders are a representation of the church because they are dressed in white, they are wearing crowns, and they are with Christ, surrounded around His throne ( Revelation 4:4 ). Enter your email address to receive email notifications when new Bible Q&A articles are posted. Concerning the elders here, again we note that Paul does not call them elders, but rather overseers (v. 28). For it is necessary that an overseer be irreproachable as God's household steward, not self-willed or quick tempered or a drunkard, or pugnacious, or greedy for gain, but rather hospitable, loving what is good, prudent, righteous, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word in accordance with the teaching, in order that he might be able both to exhort with sound teaching and to reprove the opponents. Thomas Issachar 21. The irreplaceable function of the apostles remains for us now in the apostolic word which we have in the New Testament. This could be due simply to his unique status as the Lords brother, or it could suggest that from the early days as the apostles dispersed and died off a central figure emerged among the body of elders who was recognized as the main leader or administrator. Third, the 24 elders hold harps and golden bowls full of incense (Rev 5:8), which are both symbols of worship. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. When they come down to him, Paul gives a very moving farewell address. Alternatively, some scholars believe that the Elders represent the 24 courses of priests who served in the Jerusalem temple. The Elders are generally believed to represent the Church Triumphant (spirits of God) or the saints who have gone before us. The 24 elders in Revelation are most likely the church. They are important characters in Matthew through John, as well as Acts, since they were among the Lord Jesus' enemies. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Online Resources for Bible Student and Bible Teacher, My Goal Is to Inspire You and Help You Have Fun Serving Our Lord - Have Fun Greg, 11/22 I added a New Feature - There will be a JLT Video Video that you can play - It will Show Lesson in Caption Form - If you turn on your sound it will Read it to You -I will have all added by 3/23 - God Bless Greg, 12/22 I have added a New Feature - Where applicable I will add a Quiz - to sharpen your knowledge going forward as we do lessons - Feel Free to Use it as you Like - Have Fun Greg, 1/12/23 I Have Added a New Category - Bible Verses on - The Topic We are Covering Will Now have a List of Associated Bible Verses - Enjoy, 2/17/2023 I Have Added a New Feature Each Lesson will Have a Unique Facts Page about the Topic - Enjoy Greg, 2/10/2023 I have Begun a New Series of Lessons - "What does the Bible Say About" I am Working Through Major Topics in Bakers Illustrated Bible Dictionary - for my Topics (Adding 30 Topics / Month} - Feel free to use - Greg, 4/1/2023 We have added Link to Mech Institute - you can take Free Online Classes to Further Your Study, 7/2/2023 I Downloaded this Asian Mission Video This Mornng $3.99 MP4 or you can get DVD - But it was Inspiring, 7/26/2023 Just Created a Church Growth Verticle. This may be Lukes word for a church leader to which Paul may have given no name at all except perhaps the ruling ones (1 Thessalonians 5:12) or the overseers (Acts 20:28). All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. Lets look at these one at a time. We may assume they emerged naturally in the community because they were taken for granted in Jewish society. There is another possible idea or symbolism tied to the 24 elders. It was their job to shepherd the church ( Acts 20:28 . However, others believe that it is primarily an allegory for the spiritual journey of humanity. The problem with this view is that, as we said, Titus 1:5-7 seems to equate elder and bishop. But perhaps in retrospect we should say that Titus 1:5-7 need not imply an identification of elder with bishop, but only an overlapping of terms. The elders were members of the Sanhedrin, or Jewish Supreme Court (see our related study linked at the end of this article). 1.2 The early church was born on Jewish soil, its first members and leaders were Jewish, its Lord was Jewish, and it saw itself as the fulfillment of the Jewish Scriptures and as the true Jewish people of God. In general, elders were older men who held positions of authority in the early church. The second pair of admonitions in verse 2b spells out a specific example of how not to be motivated by external constraint: neither for shameful gain but eagerly. One way you get people to do a job they arent very eager to do is to pay them. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels (Revelation 3:4-5). traditions of the elders Matthew 15:2; Acts 22:6). Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. They, along with the High Priest and others, were furious that Peter and John were preaching the gospel to the masses. Jesus ran into trouble with the Sanhedrin because he questioned their authority and teachings. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. It is noteworthy that while funds were sent only to the elders (11:30) a doctrinal issue was sent to the apostles as well as the elders. Denominations that are more congregational in governance may be led by a pastor or a council of elders. Fairchild, Mary. Second, the fact that they sing a new song indicates that they have been redeemed by Jesus and have been given a new life. Luke applies the term elders to these and makes plain that there were several in each church and apparently at Ephesus a large number (cf. In the Book of Revelation, meanwhile, the number 24 is used to represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of Christ. When the law was given, God directed Moses to take the seventy . I would shy away from that idea and move to precluding these are not angels for the same reasons I mentioned above. These Elders are mentioned throughout the Bible, but they are most prominently featured in the book of Revelation. Another reason for choosing this translation is that this avoids a needless repetition with verse 3a where Peter tells them not to lord it over the flock. Wearing crowns of gold One of the things believers are promised is the crown of life. What Does the Bible Say About Church Discipline? Philip Manasseh 18. An elder is a pastor, and a pastor is an elder. Beyond this nothing is said about the task of the elders. In other words, the evil of lording your authority over others is that it shows you are seeking glory from men, you are trying to exalt yourself in others eyes and so have the worldly pleasure of human praise. This text raises a number of questions: What does the honor consist of in verse seventeen? It is probable that members of the congregation were present, in view of the reference to the multitude (KJV, ) in verse 12, and in view of the fact that when all was said and done verse 21 says, Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders with the whole church to send a letter to the gentile churches about their decision. Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. The elders taught and preached the doctrine of the early church, including training and appointing others. Any philosophy that would exclude him excludes Wisdom himself. Instead, they have been given a new song to sing a song of redemption and hope. The first thing to consider is Revelation 4:4. Unlike all his other letters they are addressed to individual church leaders and spell out some of their duties. While it's always a title of honor and duty, it might mean someone who serves an entire region or someone with specific duties in one congregation. The best we can do is gather as much information as we can and come to the best conclusion possible. Finally, the fact that the elders are singing a new song also shows that they are part of the community of believers who have been brought together by Jesus Christ. But this divine guidance did not short circuit the normal assessment of a persons character since according to 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:5-9 the elder/overseer had to have an exemplary family, a spiritually mature character, and an ability to give sound teaching. For example, elders must be able to teach sound doctrine (Titus 1:9), they must be self-controlled and sober-minded (1 Timothy 3:2), and they must have a good reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3:7). All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. When a sorrowful Judas gave the silver back them, they along with other leaders used it to buy a potter's field. This honor involves both esteem (verse 2, 10ff) and financial support (verse 16). Once elders have been appointed, all control passes into their hands, and while thereafter an apostle may still instruct and persuade, he can never interfere. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Thus the elders are to the church what a father is to his family: he leads, manages the affairs and supervises. They were apparently responsible for the general welfare of the church (11:30); and with the apostles under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (15:28) they made decisions respecting the doctrine and morals of the church (15:6; 16:4). Paul refers to the elders at Ephesus as "overseers" in his farewell . Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. The Hebrew word for elder means "beard," and literally speaks of an older person. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3-0-asloaded{max-width:728px;width:728px!important;max-height:90px;height:90px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3','ezslot_3',624,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3-0'); In the Bible, the 24 Elders are first mentioned in Revelation 4:4. THE ELDERS ARRANGED AND PARTICIPATED IN CHRISTS ARREST, THE ELDERS PRESIDED OVER CHRISTS TRIAL (A SHAM, TO SAY THE LEAST! Many different hypothesis exist on this topic but there is no answer within scripture. In the other case elder is a narrower term interchangeable with overseer.. Yet there are biblical principles and patterns that should inform how churches go about this process: Because the current elders are entrusted with spiritually overseeing the church (1 Tim. 4.3 Finally, in 1 Peter 5:1-4 the term elder is used. In the Bible one of the things we are told is that we will reign with Christ. The book of Acts indicates that there were "elders" at the church in Jerusalem (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 4; 21:18). 2 and 3 John begin with the designation, The elder to Apparently the author is so well known to his readers that he need not even give his name, but only call himself The elder.. In seeking guidelines from this incident for todays church we would have to keep in mind that the office of apostle, being linked to the witnessing of his resurrection, was an unrepeatable office. 3.4.1 In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Paul gives the qualifications for one who aspires to the office of bishop (episkops). ), Also see: What was the Sanhedrin? Who were the chief priests? Who were the Pharisees? Who were the Sadducees? Who were the Herodians?. Bartholomew Simeon 19. They are to do it eagerly. The third pair of admonitions is an echo of Jesus teaching in Mark 10:42-44. Since the 24 elders are wearing crowns, that could be symbolic of the crown of life, which again would point to the elders being the church. One of the most enduring questions is the identity of the 24 elders mentioned in Revelation 4-5. Again, elders are to love their work. Read Chapter All Versions 1 Timothy 5:17 17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. He claimed to have received a vision from God that described the end times. Many Christians believe that the Book of Revelation contains predictions about future events, such as the return of Christ and the final judgment. Verses six to eight give the requirements one should meet in order to be an elder-overseer. The term can mean different things depending on the denomination and even the congregation. The same word for lording over is used in Mark 10:42 and 1 Peter 5:3 (katakurieu). 3:4-5). In addition, the responsibility of the elder/overseer is to feed the church, no doubt in the sense in which Jesus said to Peter, Feed my sheep, (John 21:17). The Old Testament elders asked the prophet Samuel to place a human king (instead of God) over all the people (1Samuel 8:5). We will look at these in reverse order. Thaddeus Benjamin 24. In other words, they are no longer bound by sin or condemned to eternal damnation. Since most people love money and the power and pleasure it can buy, they will do things they dont love to do in order to get money. If you are referring to the 24 elders seated at the throne of God the answer is no one knows. In verse 28, Paul admonishes them with these words, Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock unto which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to feed the church of the Lord which he obtained with his own blood.. Other Remarkable things we see in this vision, are Gods Angelic Hosts, Those coming Thru the great tribulation, Gods Strong angels, and the power of the Prayers of the saints. 25 Then the Lord descended in the cloud and spoke to him. Acts 14:23 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. They held the highest authority in Jewish law and were responsible for deciding religious cases. God sent Moses to appeal to those elders for support before he went to Pharaoh ( Exodus 3:16 ). Exploring the Depths of Successful Church Growth, Leading Missionary Teams for 40 Years"Where Their is No Vision - The People Perish" KJVProverbs 29:18" As Iron Sharpens Iron - So One Person Sharpens Another"Proverbs 27:17"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses,the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 1. Because they have persevered, they now sit around the throne of God and wear white garments. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. A person who is above reproach or blameless Has a good reputation Faithful to his wife Not given to heavy drinking Elder (Christianity) In Christianity, an elder is a person who is valued for wisdom and holds a position of responsibility and authority in a Christian group. labor in word, verse 17) deserves his wages. So the term double honor in verse seventeen must mean at least double pay. Without their leadership, the early church might not have survived its tumultuous beginnings. The disciples of Antioch had decided to send relief funds to the church in Jerusalem and they did so, sending the elders by the hand of Paul and Barnabas. No mention is made of deacons or apostles here. Contact Us (Mailing Address for Donations). In essence, they serve as a reminder that we too can have this close relationship with God if we seek Him earnestly. Honestly, we wont know for certain now. Acts 20:13-21:36 New Living Translation Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders 13 Paul went by land to Assos, where he had arranged for us to join him, while we traveled by ship. You could possibly draw a correlation of these verses back to those verses in Chronicles. In 5:3-16, Paul describes the procedures to follow in caring for widows in the church. When you read the opening chapter of Revelation, notice how John describes us as kingdom and priests. Elder is anelected permanent officer of thePresbyterian denomination, with regional committees of elders governing the church. These biblical qualifications of an elder come from Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7. How does Scripture define the church office of pastor, elder, and overseer? The Pharisees were a more populist group who emphasized interpreting the law and living according to its spirit. We who are in Christ have all been made priests to his God (Revelation 1:6). This makes sense in light of Revelation 7:9-10 which says. He may provide general oversight of financial, organizational, and spiritual matters. This is the highest thing that can be said of the role of elder in the church. Are the 24 Elders alive in the Book of Revelation? It is likely that the 24 Elders represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. The Elders were a group of respected leaders who served as advisers to the Israelite judges and kings. In the second year of the Israelites' journey, the people began to crave meat . It was, in fact, to elders that Paul quoted Jesus words: It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). In the Old Testament, the terms chief priest and high priest are sometimes alternate translations of the same Hebrew phrase (compare 2 Chronicles 26:20 in the NIV and NET). First, it is significant that the 24 elders are said to be seated on thrones around the throne of God (Rev 4:4). The elders/overseers are thus ministers of the word. zaqen [ eqz ]; Gk. 2.4 In conclusion, we know nothing about how the elders of Jerusalem were chosen unless we equate the seven of Acts 6:3 with the elders. Revelation 4:4 declares, "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They assisted Moses in governing the people, and they helped to lead the Israelites in their journey from slavery to freedom. Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever (Revelation 4:9-10). His own personal character should be one of spiritual maturity which fits him to help others. In either case, the book has had a significant impact on Western culture and continues to be studied by scholars and religious leaders today. Feeding the 4,000 and feeding the 5,000same or different? Kelly suggests in his commentary that those who teach are the so-called overseers or bishops and those who dont are the deacons. The word elder appears many times in the New Testament, but its meaning is not always clear. Furthermore, their proximity to the throne underscores the close relationship that they have with God. Existing at least as far back as the time of Moses, they were the governing foundation of different groups in the Bible. The first reference is in Acts 11:30. In the New Testament elders attain their position by appointment either by Paul or Barnabas (Acts 14:23) or by Timothy (1 Timothy 5:22) or by Titus (1:5). A similar difference shows up in 1 Timothy 3:11, rendered in the NIV: "In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything." The CSB translates it as, "Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything."The NIV in using the word "women" suggests they were deacons . This familiar role in Jewish society was no doubt where the early church got the title elder. But just what the character and function of the early Christian elder was can only be determined by studying the New Testament texts. The fact that the elders are clothed in white symbolizes both their righteousness and their purity. In the debate which follows, Peter, then Barnabas and Paul, then James spoke in favor of not requiring circumcision. They were responsible for governing the church and teaching doctrine. The Bible says quite a bit about respecting our elders. An elder is a spiritual leader with authority in the church. This is significant for a number of reasons. Additionally, it should be noted that it was the elders of Israel, along with the chief priests, who got a crowd of people to request a known murderer and robber named Barabbas be set free by the Romans instead of Jesus (Matthew 27:15 - 23). 10 Prayers to Pray When You Just Dont Know What to Say. We should not let this lead us to argue and debate, but to listen and learn. They take pains to see that there is a good rapport between Paul and the whole church. Tychicus is a minister (diakonos) of the Lord ( Col. 4:7) as is Timotheus ( 1 Thess. The elder may have the duties of a pastor and teacher. They, along with the chief priests and scribes, challenged Jesus' authority just days before the crucifixion (Matthew 21:23, Luke 20:1 - 2). Others believe that they are a special group of believers who have been highly influential in spreading the gospel and advancing Gods kingdom on earth. They did not believe in resurrection or life after death. This task has immediate relevance because the next verse warns of wolves that will come, not sparing the flock. It is worth noting in passing that the office of priest, so prominent in the Old Testament, is not taken over by the early church. He is the author ofThe Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. 1.1 Almost all early societies or religious communities were guided in some way by elders, that is, by the older, experienced wise men of the group. Old Testament elders could represent a city or town (Deuteronomy 19:12, 1Samuel 16:4), the people of a particular tribe (Numbers 22:7, Deuteronomy 31:28, 2Samuel 19:11), a family (2Samuel 12:17) or a country (Joshua 9:11). The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. They are similar to those listed in Titus 1:5-9. Nowhere does the Bible give precise instructions concerning how churches should select elders. Elder Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Elder Elder [N] [E] [S] In both the Old and New Testaments, the term "elder" indicates one of advanced age (Heb. What Does the Bible Say about the End Times? presbyteros [ presbuvtero" ]) who had a office of leadership within the people of God. An elder may have administrative duties or may perform some liturgical duties and assist the ordained clergy. And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God (Revelation 11:16). There are a few different interpretations of who the elders might be, but one popular view is that they represent the redeemed of all ages. ATS Bible Dictionary. Should Christians Invest in the Stock Market? While the term elder could simply refer to someone older (as in Genesis 10:21 ), most often, a reference to "elders" was an allusion to the men who led in local decision-making. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Angels may be dressed in white, but they are not clothed in Christs righteousness. it was in respect of their faith, which inspired their deeds, that they were praised. He is author of. Titus 1:5,7 and Acts 20:17,28) or "pastor" (Eph. We see right away that Paul here uses the term elder and overseer (or bishop) with reference to the same persons. In context, the food is no doubt the word of grace, which is able to build you up (20:32), or the whole counsel of God (20:27). According to Genesis 50:7 there were "elders of Egypt" and according to Numbers 22:7 there were elders of Moab and Midian. In other words, he thinks that the term elder embraces both bishops and deacons. Two new features about the ministry of elders emerges in 1 Timothy 5:17-22. What Were the Conspiracies Against Jesus. Ephesians even mentions that we are seated with him in heavenly places. It was used by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:12, We beseech you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and who rule over you in the Lord and admonish you. Perhaps the meaning comes out best in 1 Timothy 3:4, 5 and 12, where the word is translated manage (RSV) or rule (KJV) and refers to the function of a father in the family. Your email address will not be published. In particular, the 24 elders stand out as they are described as being clothed in white robes and wearing golden crowns. Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. There is in the context a reference to honor, however, which may be the one that is to be doubled, namely, the honor accorded to widows (verse 3). In general, they describe a mature Christian with a good reputation, and gifts for teaching, oversight, and pastoral ministry. This oversight of the church involves guarding the flock spiritually, like a shepherd guards his flock from wolves (Acts 20:28), and feeding the flock. The book was written by John of Patmos, who was a Christian prophet living in exile on the island of Patmos. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-an-elder-700721. So I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ and sharer of the glory which is about to be revealed. New Living Translation Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. In the New Testament, we see the Sanhedrin questioning Jesus and eventually sending him to Pontius Pilate to be executed. 20:25). Do We Know Who the 24 Elders of Revelation Are? The elders of Israel are referred to in the Old Testament from the beginnings of the nation in Egypt (Exodus 12:21) down to the period of the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian exile (Ezra 6:7). In Revelation 5:8, we read that the 24 elders fall down before the Lamb and sing a new song. That Christ himself is the proper pattern for the elder/overseer is seen clearly not only from the allusion to his earthly teaching in 5:3, but also from 1 Peter 2:25. J.N.D. 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The second clue about the 24 elders is that there were 24. 24 Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. Answer Elders in the Old Testament were men chosen to lead because of their wisdom, leadership abilities, and proven integrity. Furthermore, elders must be husbands of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2) and have children who are believers and are not accused of debauchery or rebellion (Titus 1:6). But this raises the question, What is to be doubled? One of the most intriguing aspects of Revelation is the glimpse it gives us into the worship taking place in heaven. If we read a few verses from before, 1 Timothy 5:3 Honor widows who are widows indeed Answer In ancient societies, the elders were the adult men, usually older, who were responsible for making decisions in a local village or community.
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