Page 72 - Ecclesiology Textbook Masters

care of any who are sick or injured. As a shepherd cares for a flock of sheep, the elders were to care for
the church of God.

Qualifications to become an elder or pastor

The Greek word translated “bishop” is episkopos (the source of our English word episcopal). The bishop
is the superintendent, the overseer, or the officer in general charge of the congregation. In the Bible
bishops are also called “elders” (1 Timothy 5:19) and “pastors” (Ephesians 4:11).

We have already reviewed the scriptures in I Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9 which are the primary verses
which detail the qualifications for a person to become a pastor. They are:

1. Above reproach, holy
2. Faithful to his wife
3. Temperate
4. Self-controlled, disciplined
5. Respected
6. Hospital
7. Ability to teach
8. Not given to drinking alcohol
9. Not violent or quick tempered, but gentle
10. Not quarrelsome
11. Not a lover of money but pursues honest gain.
12. A good manager of his household and his children obey him.
13. Not a recent convert; mature in the Lord
14. A good reputation in his community
15. Holds to sound doctrine and willing to oppose those who are in error

What the elder is to do

According to the New Testament, elders are responsible for the primary leadership and oversight of a
church. The function and role of an elder is well summarized by Alexander Strauch in his book Biblical
Eldership: “Elders lead the church (I Tim. 5:17, Titus 1:7, I Peter 5:1-2) and preach the Word (I Tim. 3:2, 2
Tim. 4:2, Titus 1:9), protect the church from false teachers (Acts 20:17, 28-31), exhort and admonish the
saints in sound doctrine (I Tim. 4:13, 2 Tim 3:13-17, Titus 1:9), visit the sick and pray James 5:14, Acts
6:4), and judge doctrinal issues (Acts 15:6). In biblical terminology, pastors or elders shepherd, oversee,
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lead, and care for the local church”.

Some churches place the primary responsibility of policy making and leadership in the hands of the
board of deacons. This is not at all what the scriptures teach and is not a biblical model.

Qualifications of a Deacon

The office of deacon was developed to deal with a practical issue in the church: “So the Twelve gathered
all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God
in order to wait on tables’” (Acts 6:2). The word translated “wait on” is the Greek word diakonein, which

30 Alexander Strauch Biblical Eldership.

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