1. Biblical Development of the Eldership: “What Elders Do 2” April 5, 2009 Bob Mullen

2. Timeline Regarding Local Church Leadership (Gene Getz) DATETHE BOOK OF ACTS AND THE EPISTLES EVENTS A.D. 49-50 Acts 16:4Delivering the letter from apostles and elders

3. Decision by the Eldership NIV Acts 16:4 “As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.”

4. Timeline Regarding Local Church Leadership (Gene Getz) DATETHE BOOK OF ACTS AND THE EPISTLES EVENTS A.D. 51 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Respecting and honoring overseers

5. Over You in the Lord… NIV 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

6. Work of Elders Once the elders reach a decision, we are to submit to it- unless it clearly violates Scripture. “Over you” is same as 1 Tim. 3:4-5. Their work of overseership is to be respected highly, and is to be used carefully.

7. Timeline Regarding Local Church Leadership (Gene Getz) DATETHE BOOK OF ACTS AND THE EPISTLES EVENTS A.D. 58Acts 20:17-38Paul’s directives to Ephesian elders

8. Paul Sets the Story NIV Acts 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.

9. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.

10. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

11. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

12. 25 "Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.

13. Paul’s Ministry and the Elders He helps the elders remember the sound doctrine and lifestyle = focus on others. The need to affirm the whole counsel of God = elders support AND do this. Be active in serving God.

14. Statements for That Eldership 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

15. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard!

16. The Work of Elders Overseeing God’s church = elders are trustees/stewards. Holy Spirit picks and leads them. Dealing with Wolves. Watch themselves = group and personal accountability.

17. Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32 "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

18. 33 I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak,

19. remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 36 When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.

20. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

21. Work of Elders The Word is what can build up elders…and us. To help the weak…that are willing to be helped. Their prayer ministry. To feel compassion for people.

22. Timeline Regarding Local Church Leadership (Gene Getz) DATETHE BOOK OF ACTS AND THE EPISTLES EVENTS A.D. 58Acts 21:17-26Paul meets with Jerusalem elders

23. NIV Acts 21:17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present.

24. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.

25. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. The Peter incident in Galatians 2.

26. Work of Elders James was a leading elder, but not the only one. Reporting between the elders and Paul was mutual. They had to deal with “rumoring” and immaturity in the church.

27. 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.

28. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols,

29. from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality." 26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

30. Work of Elders The wisdom in their counsel to Paul – preventing an important issue from dividing the group. An apostle obeyed an eldership – the elders knew their members. They honored both the Jewish and Gentile Christian rulings.