In the Church of the Lord, elders are not appointed by majority decision, but by the apostles or by those they identify as servants of God. In this regard, Paul and Barnabas are a good example for us. We read in Acts 14:23: "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed." In Titus 1:5, Paul writes: "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:".

Among the elders are also the bishops, for they are, as most Bible translations state, congregational leaders. Thus, this word does not actually mean what it is commonly understood to mean today. A bishop is a leader [overseer] in a local church and belongs to the elders. Whoever thinks that the present-day concept of a bishop is correct should consider that there were several bishops in the congregation at Philippi. We read in Philippians 1:1: "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops (overseers) and deacons:" We see, therefore, that in a local congregation there were several leaders. These leaders [overseers] are the elders of the congregation. In 1 Timothy 3:1 we read: " … This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop (overseer), he desireth a good work." In verse 2, we find the virtues and capabilities required of an overseer. He must be blameless and rule his own house well. He must not be a new convert and must also have a good reputation among the unbelievers. He must be honourable, prudent, hospitable, and a capable teacher. Just as a teacher appointed by God is responsible for the entire congregation, so are the leaders for the local churches, and therefore must be able to present biblical teachings.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Paul writes: "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." That is the right and necessary attitude for a local congregation. They cannot place their trust solely in the ministry or the person of an apostle, prophet, shepherd, teacher, and evangelist, but must have complete trust in the elders and leaders of the congregation. This is the only way to ensure peace and blessings in the congregation.

In 1 Timothy 5:17 it states the following: "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." This is a command of the Lord and must be observed so that the elders can perform their duties with joy. Only in this way can they serve as preachers and teachers with full commitment in the church. God has placed the elders under special protection, as He has Paul write in verse 19: "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses." It happens time and again that those whom God uses and has placed as a blessing for the church are quickly spoken against. No one should accept anything negative about an elder unless they hear it from the mouths of three independent witnesses. It does not apply if three conspire together and bring a complaint. It must be three independent witnesses who did not coordinate beforehand. It would be best if we applied this rule to the entire congregation, so that all gossip would soon come to an end. I would like to propose that a complaint against a brother or sister can only be accepted in their presence. No one should engage in a conversation without giving the accused the immediate opportunity to speak and defend themselves.

In 1 Timothy 4:13, Paul writes: "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." Then he encourages his coworker to exercise the gift he had received from God. From the context, it becomes clear that Timothy had received this gift through the laying on of hands by the elders. In verse 14 it says: "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery [council of elders]. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." In conclusion, he gives the serious admonition with the words: "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them…"

Paul placed great importance on his coworkers holding fast to the same teaching he had received from the Lord. The elders, after they were appointed by the apostles, through whom the church was established, they bear the responsibility before God to pass on unadulterated teaching. Their task and responsibility are greater than generally assumed. When Paul was on his journey, he called for the elders of the church to come to him. Acts 20:17 states: "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church." Paul does not invite apostles, prophets, and teachers to himself, but summons the elders of the church in Ephesus.

One should read the entire chapter to see in what manner he speaks to these elders. From verse 27 onwards, it is reported to us: "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” In verse 17, the brothers are addressed as elders, in verse 28 as overseers or as leaders of the congregation. It is absolutely necessary to recognize that the elders are not elected by the congregation through a majority vote, but are appointed as overseers by the Holy Spirit. The elders also have the task of praying for the sick within the congregation, whereas an evangelist like Philip in Samaria can pray for anyone who comes to the gatherings. In James 5:14 it says: "Is any sick among you? 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: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." From this word we can deduce, as we have said before, that the believers in a congregation should not place their trust in a travelling evangelist, but rather in the elders who are always available in the local church to pray for the sick. It would be advisable for all children of God to carefully read, once again, every Bible passage that addresses this topic, under prayer, so that we can finally experience anew the long-awaited result in the church of the living God.

Hebrews 13:17 says: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…" Peter writes in 1 Peter 5 from verse 1: "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

Peter, as an apostle, considers himself jointly responsible for the local churches, together with the elders, for the individual churches make up the entire congregation. Whatever happens in the congregation of the living God, whether through prophets, apostles, shepherds, teachers, and evangelists, or through the elders and leaders of the churches, everything unfolds in a divine harmony with the Head, Jesus Christ, and in connection with one another.

I am aware that these topics have only been touched upon, but I would like to encourage everyone to delve deeper into them. Let us establish the following fact: The Church of Jesus Christ is not a human organization or faith that one could join as a member like a club. No, it is a divine institution — a living organism. Every member of the congregation is born again by the Spirit of God and filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus subject to the guidance of the Spirit. The true congregation of the Lord knows no imposters.

By His commission

Br. Frank

In the Church of the Lord, elders are not appointed by majority decision, but by the apostles or by those they identify as servants of God. In this regard, Paul and Barnabas are a good example for us. We read in Acts 14:23: "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed." In Titus 1:5, Paul writes: "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:".

Among the elders are also the bishops, for they are, as most Bible translations state, congregational leaders. Thus, this word does not actually mean what it is commonly understood to mean today. A bishop is a leader [overseer] in a local church and belongs to the elders. Whoever thinks that the present-day concept of a bishop is correct should consider that there were several bishops in the congregation at Philippi. We read in Philippians 1:1: "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops (overseers) and deacons:" We see, therefore, that in a local congregation there were several leaders. These leaders [overseers] are the elders of the congregation. In 1 Timothy 3:1 we read: " … This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop (overseer), he desireth a good work." In verse 2, we find the virtues and capabilities required of an overseer. He must be blameless and rule his own house well. He must not be a new convert and must also have a good reputation among the unbelievers. He must be honourable, prudent, hospitable, and a capable teacher. Just as a teacher appointed by God is responsible for the entire congregation, so are the leaders for the local churches, and therefore must be able to present biblical teachings.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Paul writes: "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." That is the right and necessary attitude for a local congregation. They cannot place their trust solely in the ministry or the person of an apostle, prophet, shepherd, teacher, and evangelist, but must have complete trust in the elders and leaders of the congregation. This is the only way to ensure peace and blessings in the congregation.

In 1 Timothy 5:17 it states the following: "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." This is a command of the Lord and must be observed so that the elders can perform their duties with joy. Only in this way can they serve as preachers and teachers with full commitment in the church. God has placed the elders under special protection, as He has Paul write in verse 19: "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses." It happens time and again that those whom God uses and has placed as a blessing for the church are quickly spoken against. No one should accept anything negative about an elder unless they hear it from the mouths of three independent witnesses. It does not apply if three conspire together and bring a complaint. It must be three independent witnesses who did not coordinate beforehand. It would be best if we applied this rule to the entire congregation, so that all gossip would soon come to an end. I would like to propose that a complaint against a brother or sister can only be accepted in their presence. No one should engage in a conversation without giving the accused the immediate opportunity to speak and defend themselves.

In 1 Timothy 4:13, Paul writes: "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." Then he encourages his coworker to exercise the gift he had received from God. From the context, it becomes clear that Timothy had received this gift through the laying on of hands by the elders. In verse 14 it says: "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery [council of elders]. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." In conclusion, he gives the serious admonition with the words: "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them…"

Paul placed great importance on his coworkers holding fast to the same teaching he had received from the Lord. The elders, after they were appointed by the apostles, through whom the church was established, they bear the responsibility before God to pass on unadulterated teaching. Their task and responsibility are greater than generally assumed. When Paul was on his journey, he called for the elders of the church to come to him. Acts 20:17 states: "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church." Paul does not invite apostles, prophets, and teachers to himself, but summons the elders of the church in Ephesus.

One should read the entire chapter to see in what manner he speaks to these elders. From verse 27 onwards, it is reported to us: "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” In verse 17, the brothers are addressed as elders, in verse 28 as overseers or as leaders of the congregation. It is absolutely necessary to recognize that the elders are not elected by the congregation through a majority vote, but are appointed as overseers by the Holy Spirit. The elders also have the task of praying for the sick within the congregation, whereas an evangelist like Philip in Samaria can pray for anyone who comes to the gatherings. In James 5:14 it says: "Is any sick among you? 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: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." From this word we can deduce, as we have said before, that the believers in a congregation should not place their trust in a travelling evangelist, but rather in the elders who are always available in the local church to pray for the sick. It would be advisable for all children of God to carefully read, once again, every Bible passage that addresses this topic, under prayer, so that we can finally experience anew the long-awaited result in the church of the living God.

Hebrews 13:17 says: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…" Peter writes in 1 Peter 5 from verse 1: "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

Peter, as an apostle, considers himself jointly responsible for the local churches, together with the elders, for the individual churches make up the entire congregation. Whatever happens in the congregation of the living God, whether through prophets, apostles, shepherds, teachers, and evangelists, or through the elders and leaders of the churches, everything unfolds in a divine harmony with the Head, Jesus Christ, and in connection with one another.

I am aware that these topics have only been touched upon, but I would like to encourage everyone to delve deeper into them. Let us establish the following fact: The Church of Jesus Christ is not a human organization or faith that one could join as a member like a club. No, it is a divine institution — a living organism. Every member of the congregation is born again by the Spirit of God and filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus subject to the guidance of the Spirit. The true congregation of the Lord knows no imposters.

By His commission

Br. Frank