What Makes an Elder?

We have received a further question about the office of elder in connection with an earlier article. A friend writes: "I have often wondered about the distinct office of ruling elder. It seems to me Paul is making a comment on the actions of certain elders and not actually saying it is an office all on its own. The Geneva Bible comment is to the effect that if they do their job well they are to be accounted right Pastors. Surely most elders at some time of other must rule or should stand before others (I Tim. 5:17) - does leading worship then make one a ruling elder?"

That the office of elder is a real and distinct office in the N.T. church is evident first from the fact that ordination is necessary (Acts 14:23, I Tim. 4:14). It is also evident from the fact that elders have an "authority" which we are called to obey (Heb. 13:17), and are, therefore referred to as "overseers" (I Tim. 3:1, Acts 20:28, I Pet. 5:2) and rulers (I Tim. 5:17).

The fact that elders must have certain qualifications that are not necessarily required of other members also suggests that they have an office in the church (I Tim. 3:2-7). So does the fact that there are separate rules for disciplining them if necessary (I Tim. 5:19, 20), and double honor to be paid them when they rule well (I Tim. 5:17). All these things "set them apart" in the church.

That they are pastors is also clearly taught in Scripture. The fact that ruling and teaching elders have different functions does not change that. Acts 20:28 makes that clear. Paul says that it is the duty of all the elders to "feed" (literally "shepherdise" or "be a pastor to") the flock of God. Along the same lines, even those who are referred to as "ruling" elders must be "apt to teach" (I Tim. 3:2).

The reference to "standing before" others comes from the Greek word used in I Timothy 5:17. That it does not just refer to leading worship is clear from the use of the word in I Thessalonians 5:12 and I Timothy 3:4. In both those passages it has more the idea of ruling. It even has the idea of "giving attention to" (similar to overseeing) in Titus 3:8 and 14, where it is translated "maintain."

Whatever the word means, though, it is not "leading worship" or any other activity - not even the activity of ruling that makes them elders. That is just their function and work as elders.

What makes them elders is ordination, involving the "laying on of hands" and prayer (Acts 6:6). That act makes them elders not because it has some magical power, but because it symbolizes and marks the fact that they are called by Christ and given by Him the gifts and abilities that are necessary for their office.

That call of Christ comes through His church (Acts 13:1-4). No man ought to thrust himself forward or take it upon himself to decide that he is so called by Christ.