Here is a description of the role and responsibility of elders according to the New Testament materials.

1. Leaders in God’s Flock

3. BishopOverseerElderPastor

4. Elders Ephesians 4:15-16 “head of the church” John 15:5 “nothing without me” Matthew 16:18 “my church” Ephesians 5:22-23 “Christ is the head” lover, sanctifier Deacons

5. The Church’s “Board of Directors”

6. The Words: OVERSEER, BISHOP OVERSEER (ἐπίσκοπος) BDAG one who has the responsibility of safeguarding or seeing to it that something is done in the correct way, guardian In the Gr-Rom. World, refers to one who has a definite function or fixed office of guardianship and related activity within a group. Overseer; supervisor. TDNT An onlooker, watcher, protector, patron; outside of scripture used as a secular word for those who have technical and financial responsibilities. Moses had “commanders” (e) of thousands, etc. (Numbers 31:14)

7. OVERSEER (ἐπίσκοπος) (episkopos) Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made youoverseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Philippians 1:1 To the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers(bishops – KJV) and deacons. 1 Timothy 3:2 Therefore, an overseer(bishop – KJV) must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled… Titus 1:7 For an overseer(bishop – KJV), as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered… 1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer(Guardian – NASB, Bishop - KJV) of your souls.

9. The Words: ELDER ELDER (πρεσβύτερος) BDAG Being relatively advanced in age: older, old. An official: elder, presbyter. Officer of the synagogue; member of local council in an individual city (Joshua 20:4, Ruth 4:2) Member of the Sanhedrin of Jerusalem (Matthew 21:23, 26:3, 4:23) Church official under consideration today (1 Peter 5:1-5) John’s letters (“The elder to the elect lady…” 2 John 1) Heavenly council of 24 elders around the throne (Revelation 4:4, 7:11, 14:3, 19:4, etc. Prophesied in Isaiah 24:23) TDNT A designation of age: (Proverbs 20:29, Leviticus 19:32, Genesis 18:11, John 8:9, Acts 2:17, etc.) A title of office: (Luke 22:66, Acts 22:5, etc.) Ambiguous: 1 Peter 5:5 “You who are younger, be subject to the elders…”

10. The Words: PASTOR, SHEPHERD SHEPHERD, PASTOR, MINISTER (ποιμήν) BDAG One who herds sheep: shepherd, sheep-herder One who serves as a guardian or leader: shepherd (fig.) TDNT Literally: an tender of flocks Figuratively: -a nickname for honored kings. -a designation of God’s care. (Psalm 23) -a description of Jesus -The good shepherd (John 10:11) -The Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4) -a congregational leader (Eph. 4:11, John 21:15-17, 1 Pet. 5:3)

12. SHEPHERD(ποιμήν) (poi-MEIN) John 10:11, 14 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep…I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. Ephesians 4:11 He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood… 1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer (Guardian – NASB, Bishop - KJV) of your souls.

13. Overseer, Bishop, Caretaker, WatchmanElder, Wise Man, Experienced ManShepherd, Pastor, Protector

14. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV

15. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— ifanyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:5-9 ESV

17. Husband of one wife

18. Sober-minded

19. Self-controlled

20. Respectable

21. Hospitable

22. Able to teach

23. Not a drunkard

24. Not violent, but gentle

25. Not quarrelsome

26. Not a lover of money

27. Manage household well; With dignity, keeping children submissive

28. Not a recent convert (no pride!)

29. Thought well of by outsiders (not disgraced)

30. Above reproach

31. Husband of one wife

32. Children are believers (no debauchery or insubordination)

33. Above reproach (!)

34. Not arrogant

35. Not quick-tempered

36. Not a drunkard

37. Not violent

38. Not greedy for gain

39. Hospitable

40. A lover of good

41. Self-controlled

42. Upright

43. Holy

44. Disciplined

45. Holding firm; able to instruct