Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7720 elders, in the church

7720 elders, in the church

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7700 Leadership and the people of God » 7718 elders » 7720 elders, in the church

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.

Elders in the Jerusalem church

Acts 15:4 See also Acts 11:30; Acts 15:2,6,22-23; Acts 16:4; Acts 21:18

Elders are also called “overseers”

Acts 20:28 In Ac 20:17 they are described as “elders”. Here they are “overseers”. See also Titus 1:6-7

Elders are appointed by apostles or their delegates

Acts 14:23 Here, as always in the NT, people are appointed to a joint eldership. There is no NT example of a single elder leading a church. See also Titus 1:5

Qualifications for elders

Titus 1:6-9 As in Ac 20:17,28, “elder” is here synonymous with “overseer”. See also 1 Timothy 3:1-7

The role of elders

As leaders

1 Timothy 5:17 See also 1 Timothy 3:5

As teachers

1 Timothy 5:17 See also 1 Timothy 3:2

As pastors and guardians against false teaching

Acts 20:28-31 See also Titus 1:9; 1 Peter 5:1-4

In the healing ministry

James 5:14

The remuneration and correction of elders

See also

1 Timothy 5:17-20

Elders are to receive respect and submission from church members

Hebrews 13:17 “leaders” is an alternative term for “elders”. See also 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:7

The twenty-four elders in heaven

The elders are seated on thrones

Revelation 4:4 These 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). See also Revelation 5:5-6; Revelation 11:16; Revelation 14:3

The elders worship God and the Lamb

Revelation 4:10-11 See also Revelation 5:8-14; Revelation 7:11-13; Revelation 19:4