WHEN THERE ARE NO ELDERS (7)

Ten Duties of Elders (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

          In last week’s article, began a study of “Ten Duties of Elders.”  We examined five responsibilities that God has given these shepherds of the flock.  This article will set forth five more duties of elders.

          In Titus 1, Paul reminds Titus why he was left in Crete.  “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee” (Tit. 1:5).  Paul then lists some of the qualifications of these spiritual leaders.  In verse 9, he sets forth two duties these men are to fulfill.  “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”  First, he is “hold fast the faithful word.”  The “faithful word” is the inspired Word of God.  It is faithful and true because it originated from the mind of God who is faithful and true.  Thayer defines the words “hold fast” as “to hold firmly, to cleave to.”  Strong adds that it also involves “adhering to” the Word of God.  Elders are stewards of the truth.  They are to know it and live it in their lives.  Too, they are to make certain that the congregation of Christians they oversee continues in God’s Word.  They cleave to it tightly.  They will not allow deviations to the right and or to the left (Prov. 4:27).  This would seem to be a simple task.  However, the hearts of the members are not always fully set upon doing God’s will.  Therefore, elders are there to keep everyone in the strait and narrow way found in the pages of the Bible.

          Second, elders are called “to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”  The word “gainsay” literally means “to say against.”  A gainsayer is one who speaks against the truth.  He is the one who argues and defends the positions of the devil.  Elders have been tasked to exhort and convince these opponents of the gospel.  The word “exhort” involves calling a person near in order to admonish and correct his error.  Some will respond to this approach.  Others, however, must be convinced.  The gainsayer must be exposed, rebuked, and shamed for his opposition to the way of righteousness.  This obligation is not an easy one to fulfill.  False teachers are sly.  Too, they can be extremely mean and dangerous.  Unfortunately, they have the ability to lead many astray (2 Pet. 2:1-2).  Their followers will protect them and fight for them to the end.  Elders must have a forehead of flint and the skin of an alligator in order to endure the battles with gainsayers.

          Third, elders are to be teachers.  The writer of Hebrews presents this duty of elders in Hebrews 13:7.  “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of the Lord…”  Those who have the rule over the church are elders which we saw in our previous article.  These men are supposed to be knowledgeable of the truth.  One of the qualifications of an elder is “apt to teach.”  This means he is supposed to be skillful in teaching.  Elders will teach Bible classes.  They will preach sermons.  They will write articles.  They will teach in homes.  They will teach one-on-one.  They understand that a well-protected flock is a flock that understands God’s will (Ps. 119:104). 

          Fourth, elders are to watch for the souls of those entrusted to their care.  “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:  for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…” (Heb. 13:17).  The word “watch” simply means “to stay awake” or “to be sleepless.”  Elders know that wolves lurk near the flock seeking those who are weak and vulnerable.  Even Jesus warned of them in Matthew 7:15.  “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”  Elders also know that Satan is constantly on the prowl as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8).  Therefore, they watch to see if any of the sheep are being enticed by things that are dangerous to their souls.  As a shepherd of the flock, an elder also knows that sheep often pay little attention to their surroundings.  It is easy for them to wander away from the flock.  When they see that sheep who have separated himself from the flock, they go out, find him, and bring him back to the fold (Luke 15:3-7).  Yes, elders are involved in the lives of their sheep.  They watche for their souls.  They long for those souls to be saved when the Chief Shepherd shall appear.

          Fifth, Peter teaches elders to be examples to the flock.  “Neither as being lord over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3).  The Greek word for “ensample” is “tupos.”  One definition of the term is “a model for imitation.”  Elders do not just demand faithfulness to the Christ and obedience to His will; they exemplify these things before the church.  They are to be men whose faith can be followed by the members of their flock (Heb. 13:7).  These men are not like the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day.  Jesus described those men as those who say and do not (Matt. 23:3).  He also said that “they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers” (Matt. 23:4).  Faithful elders are out front leading.  They are calling out to the congregation, saying:  “Follow me.”  If the members follow them, they can rest assured that these men will lead them to their eternal destination.

          The duties of elders we have examined in this article continue to emphasize the seriousness of this leadership position.  Elders are the backbone of the church.  They make certain the body of Christ follows God’s Word.  They rebuke those who fail to remain true and steadfast to the teachings of God’s Word.  They teach the truth to others.  They watch for the  souls of those entrusted to their care.  They lead the flock beside still waters and in the paths of righteousness.  They also show the church how to live by the lives they lead themselves. Paul was right when he said godly elders need to be honored for their service to the Lord and to His church.  “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in word and doctrine” (1 Tim.5:17).