Appointing Elders

Barnes church of Christ is now working in the direction of appointing elders. The appointing of elders is one of the most important decisions a local church will ever make. It is not the intent of this article to deal with the qualifications, but to simply look at one area of responsibility of the men who serve as elders.

The men who are appointed to serve as elders will have the most awesome responsibility on earth. They will have the responsibility to watch over the spiritual well being of each member and the local church as a whole. So, after being convinced that these men meet the qualifications as revealed upon the pages of the New Testament, attention should be given to a most important area: “Is this a man you want watching over your soul?” Does this man know how to see that you will get the teaching you need to grow spiritually? Does this man know the difference between teachings that are false and the truth? In other words, does he know the teaching of Christ well enough to understand when a teaching is false? Does he know the truth?

Paul wrote to Titus that an elder must be “able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9). Paul followed those important words with these: “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” (Titus 1:1011) Attention is here called to a few of the words in the text.

First, the word “able” (Greek, dunatos) refers to having the power, whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or through a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances; it signifies powerful (Thayer, p. 14 and Vine, p. 15). In another place, Paul giving the qualifications wrote: “apt to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2, the Greek, didaktikos) which means: “skilled in teaching” (Vine, p. 1135). Clearly, an elder must know the truth well enough and be skillful enough in handling it “to convince the gainsayers.” It is important that the congregation give men the opportunity to grow in teaching, so they may also grow into being skillful in teaching! We at Barnes have not done well in this area, and we need to correct this weakness.

Second, the word “convince” (Greek, elencho) which signifies: “to convict, confute, refute, usually with the suggestion of putting the convicted person to shame” (Vine, p. 241). This requires a man who is well versed in the truth! A man who has the ability to open the Bible and point out the truth, thus, bringing a honest heart to conviction and shame in what he has taught! This man does not have to be a great orator, but one who can simply bring forth the power of the truth.

Third, the word “gainsayers” (Greek, antilego) means: “to contradict, oppose,” literally “say against” (Vine, p. 480). It is understood in the text that Paul is writing that the “gainsayers” are those who speak/write against the truth. Understanding that the church’s fellowship with God the Father and the Son is determined by “abiding in the teaching of Christ” (2 John 9). “Gainsayers” are a danger to the local church, and their “mouths must be stopped!” It is up to the eldership of the local congregation to take such action.
Of all the work and responsibilities of the eldership, the one of which this article addresses is near the top of the list! It is also one that some elderships give little attention and this is sad indeed. It needs to be kept in mind, the eldership speaks with one voice; yet, Paul wrote: “a bishop … as the steward of God” (Titus 1:7). The word “steward” (Greek, oikonomos) refers to a “manager of a household” (Vine, p. 1097). The eldership serves as manager of the local household of God and they must keep it safe!

Frank R. Williams

SUNDAY SERMONS

SPEAKERS:

Marion R. Fox

Frank R. Williams

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Proverbs 10:7

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS

(1 Timothy 3:1-7)

“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.”