In the NT a group of leaders responsible for managing and teaching a local church. As the name implies, they were normally men of experience and maturity. Although women played a very significant part in early Christian ministry, there is no specific NT evidence for women as elders.
Elders in the Jerusalem church
Acts 15:4 See also Acts 11:30, Acts 15:2, Acts 15:6, Acts 15:22–23, Acts 16:4, Acts 21:18
On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through them.
Elders are also called ``overseers''
Acts 20:28 In Acts 20:17 they are described as “elders”. Here they are “overseers”. See also Titus 1:6–7
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
Elders are appointed by apostles or their delegates
Acts 14:23 Here, as always in the NT, people are appointed to a joint eldership. There is no NT example of a single elder leading a church. See also Titus 1:5
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
Qualifications for elders
Titus 1:6–9 As in Acts 20:17–28, “elder” is here synonymous with “overseer”. See also 1 Timothy 3:1–7
An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach — not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
The role of elders
As leaders
1 Timothy 5:17 See also 1 Timothy 3:5
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
As teachers
1 Timothy 5:17 See also 1 Timothy 3:2
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
As pastors and guardians against false teaching
Acts 20:28–31 See also Titus 1:9; 1 Peter 5:1–4
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
In the healing ministry
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
The remuneration and correction of elders
See also 1 Timothy 5:17–20
Elders are to receive respect and submission from church members
Hebrews 13:17 “leaders” is an alternative term for “elders”. See also 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:7
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
The twenty-four elders in heaven
The elders are seated on thrones
Revelation 4:4 These elders may be angelic beings corresponding to the 24 orders of Levites (1Chronicles chapters 24–25) or symbolise Israel and the church (compare Revelation 21:12–14). See also Revelation 5:5–6, Revelation 11:16, Revelation 14:3
Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads.
The elders worship God and the Lamb
Revelation 4:10–11 See also Revelation 5:8–14, Revelation 7:11–13, Revelation 19:4
the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.