Elders and Deacons

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Elders

Described As

  • 4245 presbuteros - elderly, older, responsibility, leaders, spiritual care
  • 1985 episkopos - superintendent, in general charge
  • 4166 poimen - shepherds, guide, feed (1 Peter 5:2 exercising the oversight)
  • 5228 - huper - over (Heb 13:17)

Commanded By God

Acts 14:23 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Titus 1:5 5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you

Responsibilities

1 Peter 5:2-4 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
Acts 20:28 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Hebrews 13:17 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Hebrews 13:17 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Characteristics

  • Desires the position (1 Timothy 3:1)
  • Not a novice (1 Timothy 3:6)
  • Just (Titus 1:8)
  • Holy (Titus 1:8)
  • Lover of what is good (Titus 1:8)
  • Hospitable (Titus 1:8)

    • Self-Controlled

  • Self-controlled (Titus 1:8)
  • Temperate (1 Timothy 3:2)
  • Not violent (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7)
  • Not quick-tempered (Titus 1:7)
  • Gentle (1 Timothy 3:3)
  • Not quarrelsome (1 Timothy 3:3)
  • Sober-minded (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8)
  • Not given to wine (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7)

    • Teaching Others

  • Holding fast to the faithful word (Titus 1:9)
  • Able by sound doctrine to exhort and convict those who contradict (Titus 1:9)
  • Able to teach(1 Timothy 3:2)

    • Not Greedy/Selfish

  • Not greedy for money (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7)
  • Not covetous (1 Timothy 3:3)
  • Not self-willed (Titus 1:7)

    • Family

  • Husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6)
  • Rules his own house well (1 Timothy 3:4)
  • Faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination (Titus 1:6)
  • Children in submission with reverence (1 Timothy 3:4)

    • Reputation

    • Good behavior (1 Timothy 3:2)
    • Good testimony among those who are outside (1 Timothy 3:7)
    • Blameless (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6,7)

    Deacons

    • Reverent (1 Timothy 3:8)
    • Not double-tongued (1 Timothy 3:8)
    • Not given to much wine (1 Timothy 3:8)
    • Not greedy for money (1 Timothy 3:8)
    • Holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience (1 Timothy 3:9)
    • First tested (1 Timothy 3:10)
    • Found blameless (1 Timothy 3:10)
    • Husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:12)
    • Ruling their children and houses well (1 Timothy 3:12)

    Their Wives

    • Reverent (1 Timothy 3:11)
    • Not slanderers (1 Timothy 3:11)
    • Temperate (1 Timothy 3:11)
    • Faithful in all things (1 Timothy 3:11)

    Downloadable Editions

    The student page is a pdf file suitable for printing. The teacher edition adds additional comments and information for discussion. It also contains quotations of the scriptures used.

    , Mark May