Church Officers

GOLDEN TEXT: “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they that labor in the Word and doctrine.” —I Timothy 5:17

I TIMOTHY 3:1-13

THE Scriptures present two viewpoints of the church of Christ. One of these is of the church as a whole. Christ is the Head of the church. The Lord also appointed twelve apostles, who, through their personal ministry at the beginning of the age and their writings throughout the age, have been inspired servants of the church.

Then there is another view presented in the Bible in which each local congregation of dedicated believers is looked upon as the church. It is with this view that our lesson is concerned, for each local congregation has the privilege and responsibility of appointing its under shepherds, referred to as elders and deacons. (The term “elder” is preferred as a translation, rather than bishop. The Greek word translated “bishop” means “superintendent,” or “overseer.”)

Paul sets forth the qualifications of those chosen by the church as its servants: first, they should have a blameless life. This does not imply perfection in the flesh, but it does call for vigilance in adhering to the standards of Christian character set forth in the Word of God. There should be nothing in the life of God’s servants that the world could point to with scorn.

Those appointed as elders should have the ability to teach others. This implies a clear knowledge of the subject taught, which in this case is the truth. In his letter to Titus, Paul enlarged upon this point, saying that an elder should be “holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”—Titus 1:9

In choosing elders a church cannot be too careful in making sure that those selected are sound in the truth. In any congregation of the Lord’s people varying degrees of understanding will be found. Some may be new in the faith, others more mature. Some may have personal opinions, not founded on the Word of God. But those who are selected to teach should know the truth well, and have no hobbies to ride, no personal theories to exploit, otherwise the congregation could become confused, and perhaps even discouraged.

A “novice” should not be elected to serve in the church as an elder. This simply means one who does not have sufficient experience, or is too immature in the faith. A novice might indeed know the truth quite well, and might be able to impart his understanding to others. But as Paul points out, to select such a one to serve in the church as an elder might injure him, in that his heart might be lifted up with pride. Only those with considerable experience in the narrow way realize that there is nothing in the privilege of teaching others that should make them proud. Pride manifests itself in various ways, often in being dictatorial in the church.

As Paul indicates, deacons should have essentially the same qualification as elders, with the exception that they do not necessarily need to have the ability to teach. The use of deacons first came into the church at a time when brethren were needed to wait on tables, and to administer other material affairs of the church. (Acts 6:1-6) Stephen was one appointed at that time, and he became a very faithful and effective minister of the Gospel, and the first Christian martyr.

To be a deacon in the church is an honorable position. For those who have some ability to teach, service as deacon might well lead to eldership; that is, for those who serve faithfully as deacons. The proper spirit for all of the Lord’s people should be to do with their might what their hands find to do, and in a spirit of rejoicing as unto the Lord.

Our Golden Text says that elders who rule well should be counted worthy of double honor. This is a generous attitude. On the other hand, elders or deacons who serve with the idea of being honored do not have the proper viewpoint. The main consideration of all the Lord’s people should be to serve one another as best they can because of love for them, and because of a desire to be pleasing to the Lord.

QUESTIONS

What two viewpoints of the church are presented in the Bible?

What are the qualifications for elders?

What is implied in being “apt to teach”?

In what sense do deacons differ from elders?

Should any servants in the church seek for worldly honor?

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