Dictionary of Bible Themes In the NT a group of leaders responsible for managing and teaching a local church. As the name implies, they were normally men of experience and maturity. Although women played a very significant part in early Christian ministry, there is no specific NT evidence for women as elders. Acts 15:4Elders in the Jerusalem church See also Acts 11:30; 15:2,6,22-23; 16:4; 21:18Acts 20:28 Elders are also called "overseers" See also Titus 1:6-7In Ac 20:17 they are described as "elders". Here they are "overseers". Acts 14:23Elders are appointed by apostles or their delegates See also Titus 1:5Here, as always in the NT, people are appointed to a joint eldership. There is no NT example of a single elder leading a church. Titus 1:6-9Qualifications for elders See also 1 Timothy 3:1-7As in Ac 20:17,28, "elder" is here synonymous with "overseer". 1 Timothy 5:17The role of elders See also As leaders 1 Timothy 3:51 Timothy 5:17 See also As teachers 1 Timothy 3:2Acts 20:28-31 See also As pastors and guardians against false teaching Titus 1:91 Peter 5:1-4 James 5:14 In the healing ministry See also The remuneration and correction of elders 1 Timothy 5:17-20Hebrews 13:17 Elders are to receive respect and submission from church members See also 1 Thessalonians 5:12"leaders" is an alternative term for "elders". Hebrews 13:7Revelation 4:4 The twenty-four elders in heaven The elders are seated on thrones See also Revelation 5:5-6; 11:16; 14:3These elders may be angelic beings corresponding to the 24 orders of Levites (1Chronicles chapters 24-25) or symbolise Israel and the church (compare Rev 21:12-14). Revelation 4:10-11See also The elders worship God and the Lamb Revelation 5:8-14; 7:11-13; 19:4See also 4111 angels, servants5218 authority in home 7026 church, leadership 7715 deacons 7733 leaders 7751 persuasion 7784 shepherd 7789 shepherd, church leader 7793 teachers 7939 ministry 8493 watchfulness, believers |
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