The Importance of the Office It is evident that the apostle took very seriously the office of elder. The qualifications touch virtually every area of life. Even a cursory look through them as given above is sobering. God requires of the elders an impeccable reputation both from within and without. God expects spiritual rulers to be exemplary, indeed, examples to the flock. The office and its responsibilities are too important to be given out indiscriminately. I say it again: better no elders than wrong ones. The Emphasis While several abilities are required, such as teaching and ruling, the emphasis of these qualifications is clearly on character. The apostle is not so concerned with gifts, degrees, popularity, or other matters which are today deemed important. He is concerned primarily with the mans character. He must be mature and sanctified. Other Requirements? There are other requirements not so stated in these passages, such as the mans ability to fulfill the necessary duties of his office; a man who cannot fulfill these is not qualified for the office. (For an excellent examination of the basic qualifications/responsibilities of a minister and the corresponding obligations of the church, see the sermon entitled An Able and Faithful Ministry, delivered by Samuel Miller in 1812; published by Presbyterian Heritage Publications, Dallas.) DISqualifications? It is clear, by the nature of the case, that a man who does not meet these requirements or who at some time fails to meet them is not qualified for the office. Furthermore, one implication of I Timothy 5:19-20 is that it may become necessary for the other elders to judge that a man duly qualified for the office has become disqualified by reason of some personal sin or character flaw. This is a very serious matter, and it must be recognized that only Scriptural reason is sufficient justification for such disqualification. The all-too-well-known custom of dismissing a pastor by the whim of a church board or a majority opinion is a prideful rising above the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. Moreover, a Churchs constitution which allows such action is also clearly in error. A mans standing with regard to eldership can be and must be determined on the basis of Scripture alone. By: Fred Zapel Word of Life Baptist Church
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 23:07:52 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015