In the biblical context, the term "leaders of the assembly" refers to those individuals who held positions of authority and responsibility within the community of God's people, both in the Old and New Testaments. These leaders were tasked with guiding, teaching, and maintaining order among the Israelites and later, the early Christian church.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the leaders of the assembly were often elders, judges, priests, and prophets. These individuals were chosen by God or recognized by the community for their wisdom, faithfulness, and ability to lead.

1. Elders: The elders were respected leaders within the tribes of Israel. They played a crucial role in decision-making and governance. In Exodus 3:16, God instructs Moses, "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.’" The elders were instrumental in conveying God's messages to the people and in implementing His commands.

2. Judges: During the period of the Judges, leaders like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson were raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression and to lead them in righteousness. Judges 2:16 states, "Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the hands of these raiders."

3. Priests: The priesthood, established through Aaron and his descendants, was responsible for the spiritual leadership of Israel. They conducted sacrifices, taught the Law, and interceded for the people. Leviticus 10:11 instructs the priests, "You must teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has given them through Moses."

4. Prophets: Prophets like Samuel, Elijah, and Isaiah served as God's mouthpieces, delivering His messages to kings and the people. They often called the nation back to faithfulness and warned of consequences for disobedience. Amos 3:7 declares, "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of leadership within the assembly evolves with the establishment of the early church. The leaders included apostles, elders, overseers (bishops), and deacons.

1. Apostles: The apostles were foundational leaders in the early church, having been directly chosen by Christ. They were responsible for spreading the Gospel and establishing churches. Acts 2:42 describes their role: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

2. Elders and Overseers: Elders, also known as overseers or bishops, were appointed to shepherd the local congregations. They were tasked with teaching, leading, and protecting the church from false teachings. In 1 Timothy 3:1-2, Paul writes, "This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach."

3. Deacons: Deacons served the church by attending to practical needs, allowing the apostles and elders to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. Acts 6:3-4 records the selection of the first deacons: "Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word."

Qualifications and Responsibilities

The qualifications for leaders in the assembly were stringent, emphasizing character, faithfulness, and ability to teach. Leaders were expected to be examples to the flock, as Peter exhorts in 1 Peter 5:2-3, "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them—not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."

The leaders of the assembly played a vital role in maintaining the spiritual health and unity of God's people, ensuring that the community remained faithful to God's covenant and teachings.