Note: You may wish to do a preliminary study of the church before continuing this study.

Elders
In the New Testament, a fully organized church had elders as overseers, Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5; Phil. 1:1 (note plurality).

1. Names

• A. Presbuteros (Greek) -- presbyter, elder
  
• B. Episkopos (Greek) -- bishop, overseer, Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:8. An overseer, a person charged with the duty of seeing the things done by others are done rightly. A superintendent.
  
• C. Poimen (Greek) -- pastor, Eph. 4:11. An herdsman, especially a shepherd; an overseer of Christian assemblies. This word is translated pastor and shepherd. In the New Testament, the word "pastor" never refers to a preacher.

2. Duties

• A. Oversee or superintend, Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-3
  
• B. To feed the flock, Acts 20:28
  
• C. To be examples, 1 Pet. 5:1-3
  
• D. To rule, 1 Tim. 5:17
  
• E. To watch for the souls of the flock, Heb. 13:17
  
• F. To watch for a protect against wolves, Acts. 20:17, 28-31

3. Duties of members toward elders

• A. To honor, 1 Tim. 5:17
  
• B. Receive not an accusation, except...., 1 Tim. 5:19; Matt 18
  
• C. Follow their faith (imitate), Heb. 13:7
  
• D. Obey them and submit to them, Heb. 13:17
  
• E. Pray for them
  

4. Qualifications, Characteristics, Qualities The areas of concern for the church in the first century included at least the following eight areas: the leader's marriage and family, self-mastery or self-control, hospitality, teaching ability, temper and temperament (character), attitudes (especially toward money), spiritual maturity, and reputation with outsiders. Another helpful and memorable outline includes four areas.

• A. Attitudes: willing, but not overeager, 1 Tim. 3:1; 1 Pet. 5:2
  
• B. Experience: 1 Tim. 3:6; experienced domestically and spiritually
  
• C. Reputation: Tit. 1:6, 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:7
  
• D. Character qualifications (1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1)
  
  Just
  Holy
  Patient
  Vigilant
  Orderly
  Lover of good
  Sober-minded
  Temperate
  Gentle
  No striker
  No brawler
  Not self-willed or stubborn
  Not contentious
  Not soon angry
  No lover of money
  Given to hospitality

5. Ability

• Apt to teach, 1 Tim. 3:2
  
• Holding fast the faithful word, Tit. 1:9
  
• Able to convince the gainsayer
  
• Good knowledge of the scripture to feed, exhort, teach, and be an example
  
• Having sound doctrine