A name frequently used in the Old Testament as denoting a person clothed with
authority, and entitled to respect and reverence Ge 50:7 It also denoted a
political office Nu 22:7 The "elders of Israel" held a rank among the people
indicative of authority. Moses opened his commission to them Ex 3:16 They
attended Moses on all important occasions. Seventy of them attended on him at
the giving of the law Ex 24:1 Seventy also were selected from the whole number
to bear with Moses the burden of the people Nu 11:16,17
The "elder" is the
keystone of the social and political fabric wherever the patriarchal system
exists. At the present day this is the case among the Arabs, where the sheik
(i.e., "the old man") is the highest authority in the tribe. The body of the
"elders" of Israel were the representatives of the people from the very first,
and were recognized as such by Moses. All down through the history of the Jews
we find mention made of the elders as exercising authority among the people.
They appear as governors De 31:28 as local magistrates De 16:18 administering
justice De 19:12 They were men of extensive influence 1Sa 30:26-31 In New
Testament times they also appear taking an active part in public affairs Mt
16:21 21:23 26:59
The Jewish eldership was transferred from the old dispensation
to the new. "The creation of the office of elder is nowhere recorded in the New
Testament, as in the case of deacons and apostles, because the latter offices
were created to meet new and special emergencies, while the former was
transmitted from the earlies times. In other words, the office of elder was the
only permanent essential office of the church under either dispensation." The
"elders" of the New Testament church were the "pastors" Eph 4:11 "bishops or
overseers" Ac 20:28 "leaders" and "rulers" Heb 13:7 1Th 5:12 of the flock.
Everywhere in the New Testament bishop and presbyter are titles given to one and
the same officer of the Christian church.
He who is called presbyter or elder on account of his age or gravity is also
called bishop or overseer with reference to the duty that lay upon him Ti 1:5-7
Ac 20:17-28 Php 1:1
Presbuteros
Suppose someone asked you to be the architect for a new
building, but you had no experience or training in that field. Or suppose someone expected
you to be a professional counselor without any training in psychology. What would you do?
I am sure you would be flattered, but hopefully wisdom would prevail and you would decline
the offer until you were trained to do that job. Ridiculous? Hardly! Every year pastors and
local congregations ask men to be elders but provide no training for the job. We think it is
time for that to change.