The Rule of the Eldership

Introduction

Text: Hb. 13:7,17.
Hebrews contains the following instructions concerning the congregational relationship of Christians:
1. "Remember those who rule over you" (Hb. 13:7).
2. "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive" (Hb. 13:17).
The question of the authority of elders is very important.
Historically, misconceptions at this point have often been the starting point for wholesale apostasy.
1. Catholicism with its papal hierarchy. This began in the post-apostolic period with one elder assuming preeminence within a congregation.
2. Denominational disregard for scriptural authority.
  1. Misappropriation of biblical terms: bishop, pastor, elder, priest, etc.
  2. Establishment of extra-biblical offices: pope, cardinal, president, etc.
  3. Establishment of extra-biblical forms of government: synods, councils, conferences, etc.
3. "Evangelistic oversight."
4. Unwarranted substitutions for scriptural elders.
  1. Rule by majority.
  2. Rule by influential members or "leaders."
  3. Rule by preacher.
5. Extremes of authority.
  1. Passive extremes: figurehead, rubber-stamp, puppet elders.
  2. Aggressive extremes: dictatorial, domineering, self-willed elders.
6. Oversight of outside "missionaries" and "mission" congregations.
7. Sponsoring-church arrangements and other forms of centralized oversight.
8. Reduction of the eldership to "example-only" leadership.
In this lesson, we explore the scriptural rule of the eldership in NT congregations.

I. THE MEANING OF THE ELDERSHIP'S RULE

The ultimate authority of Christ over His church - Mt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22,23.
The authority of the eldership under Christ's headship.
1. The possession of all authority by Christ does not mean that He has not conferred subordinate authority within various earthly relationships. Cf. 2 Cor. 10:8; 13:10.
2. Elders serve as shepherds under Christ, the "Chief Shepherd" (1 Pt. 5:4).
3. That elders have some degree of authority to act as shepherds is seen in the following crucial terms that describe the elder's role:
  1. Over you in the Lord - 1 Thess. 5:12.
  2. Take care of - 1 Tim. 3:5.
  3. Rule (proistemi) - 1 Tim. 5:17 (cf. 3:4,5,12).
  4. Rule (hegeomai) - Hb. 13:7,17,24.
  5. Oversight - Ac. 20:28; 1 Pt. 5:2. Oversight = watchful and responsible care; supervision.
4. Consider these important clarifications:
  1. The authority of elders is no violation of Gal. 3:28.
    1. All Christians have equal access to God -- even in relationships where one is to submit to the authority of the other.
    2. Cf. Eph. 5:22-25.
  2. The authority of elders is no violation of Mt. 23:8-11 and 1 Pt. 2:5,9.
    1. No "clergy system" is envisioned, with its hierarchies, titles, special garments, etc.
    2. All Christians alike are priests.
  3. The authority of elders is no violation of Lk. 22:24-26 and Jn. 13:13-16.
    1. No "lording it over" God's people is permitted. Cf. Lev. 25:43,46,53; Ezek. 34:4.
    2. Having authority in the Lord's work does not mean using it forcefully in every situation.
      The rightful use of any authority is for "edification" and not for "destruction." Cf. 2 Cor. 10:8; 13:9,10; Philem. 8,9,14.
5. Elders' responsibility requires the authority to discharge it. To rob elders of the authority needed for their work is to make a seriously difficult task an impossible one.
6. Authority resides in the eldership collectively, not in any one elder independently.
7. Are we to believe the local congregation is the only divinely instituted functional relationship with no authoritative oversight?
8. No, the local congregation is the divinely revealed functional unit through which Christians are to do the Lord's work, and elders are the divinely revealed overseers of it.
The source and nature of the authority of the eldership.
1. Source. This is an important consideration - Mt. 21:23-27.
  1. The authority of the eldership does not come from:
    1. Self. Elders are such by the appointment of others.
    2. The congregation. The eldership is more than an executive committee to do the congregation's bidding.
    3. The preacher. The evangelist does not confer authority here any more than he confers authority on the husband in a marriage ceremony.
  2. It derives from the authority of Christ - Mt. 28:18; Ac. 20:28; 1 Pt. 5:4.
    1. The authority of the eldership cannot be disregarded without disobedience to Christ.
    2. Paul spoke of those "over you" as occupying that position "in the Lord" (1 Thess. 5:12).
2. Nature.
  1. Obviously, elders have no revelatory authority in matters of faith - Jas. 4:12.
    1. Elders are constrained by the Scriptures.
      1. They have no prerogative to add, subtract, substitute, or modify.
      2. Like all Christians, they are bound by God's commandments.
    2. Elders can only communicate the authority inherent in the word. Cf. Tit. 1:9.
      1. Much of the elder's work involves the act of teaching.
      2. Elders are called "pastors and teachers" (Eph. 4:11).
  2. However, elders do have authority to provide for the implementation of Christ's will in the collective work of the local congregation.
    1. They have the responsibility and authority to make whatever decisions are necessary in the congregational carrying out of scriptural teaching.
    2. It is helpful to distinguish between two different kinds of authority:
      1. The authority to legislate -- which elders do not have.
      2. The authority to execute or expedite -- which elders do have.
    3. The authority of elders in a congregation is analogous in many ways to the authority of the husband/father in the home.
    4. Obviously, it is possible for elders to abuse their authority, but godly elders will exercise their authority lovingly, considerately, and in consultation with their fellow Christians.
    5. Submission involves yielding to the judgment of the eldership.
    6. Elders' qualifications render them eminently capable of making judgments that are wise.

II. THE SCOPE OF THE ELDERSHIP'S RULE

The eldership exercises its oversight within certain scriptural limitations.
1. The oversight of elders is limited to the time during which they independently are qualified to serve and are appointed.
2. The oversight of elders is limited by the autonomy of the local congregation - Ac. 20:28; Phil. 1:1;
  1 Pt. 5:2,3.
  1. Elders oversee all the work of the congregation of which they are members.
    1. Not limited to "spiritual" work. Cf. Ac. 11:27-30.
    2. Not limited to the "assemblies" of the church.
    3. No other individuals or committees (inside the congregation) are to oversee part of the work.
    4. No other congregations or human institutions (outside the congregation) are to oversee part of the work.
  2. Elders oversee only the work of the congregation of which they are members.
    1. No other congregation's work is to be overseen -- e.g. sponsoring church arrangements.
    2. No human institution's work is to be overseen as elders -- e.g. benevolent institutions.
    3. None but members of the local congregation are to be overseen -- e.g. "withdrawing" from members outside.
    4. Nothing but the work of the church is to be overseen as elders -- e.g. social/recreational activities.
It is no less wrong for the oversight of elders to be diminished unscripturally than it is for it to be enlarged unscripturally.

Conclusion

Neglect, failures, and disobedience in the rule of the eldership invite trouble and thwart God's intention
for the churches.
In the rule of the eldership, God's intention must be honored.
In everything that concerns the church and the eldership, our aim ought to be to "make all things according
to the pattern" (Hb. 8:5).

Gary Henry
WordPoints