Definition and Role:
Eldership in the Christian church refers to the office and function of elders, who are appointed leaders responsible for the spiritual oversight, governance, and pastoral care of the congregation. The concept of eldership is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, where elders are seen as wise and mature individuals entrusted with leadership roles.

Old Testament Background:
The role of elders is evident in the Old Testament, where they are often mentioned as leaders and decision-makers within the community of Israel. For example, in Exodus 18:21-22, Moses is advised by his father-in-law Jethro to appoint capable men as leaders over the people, serving as judges and leaders to help bear the burden of governance. Elders were also involved in significant religious and civic decisions, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:12 and Ruth 4:2.

New Testament Development:
In the New Testament, the role of elders becomes more defined within the structure of the early church. Elders are appointed to oversee the spiritual well-being of the church and to provide guidance and teaching. The Apostle Paul, in his missionary journeys, appointed elders in every church to ensure proper leadership and care for the believers (Acts 14:23).

Qualifications:
The qualifications for eldership are outlined in the pastoral epistles. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul provides a list of qualifications for an overseer (elder), emphasizing the importance of character, ability to teach, and management of one's household. Similarly, Titus 1:5-9 reiterates these qualifications, highlighting the need for elders to be blameless, hospitable, self-controlled, and faithful to the Word.

Functions and Responsibilities:
Elders are tasked with several key responsibilities within the church. They are to shepherd the flock, providing spiritual guidance and care (1 Peter 5:1-3). They are also responsible for teaching and preaching the Word, as well as protecting the church from false teachings (Titus 1:9). Additionally, elders are involved in decision-making and governance, ensuring that the church operates in accordance with biblical principles.

Plurality and Accountability:
The New Testament model of eldership often emphasizes a plurality of elders within each local church. This plurality ensures a balanced and collective leadership, preventing any single individual from wielding excessive power. The elders are accountable to one another and to the congregation, fostering a spirit of mutual submission and humility.

Eldership and the Congregation:
The relationship between the elders and the congregation is one of mutual respect and cooperation. The congregation is encouraged to honor and submit to the leadership of the elders, recognizing their role in spiritual oversight (Hebrews 13:17). At the same time, elders are called to serve the congregation with humility and love, exemplifying Christ-like leadership.

Conclusion:
Eldership is a vital component of church governance, providing spiritual oversight and leadership to the body of Christ. Through their teaching, guidance, and example, elders play a crucial role in nurturing the faith and growth of the church community.1. (n.) The state of being older; seniority.

2. (n.) Office of an elder; collectively, a body of elders.

4242. presbeia -- age, seniority
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: presbeia Phonetic Spelling: (pres-bi'-ah) Short
Definition: an embassy, delegation Definition: an embassy, delegation, eldership ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4242.htm - 6k

1087. gerousia -- a council of elders
... council of elders, Sanhedrin. From geron; the eldership, ie (collectively) the Jewish
Sanhedrin -- senate. see GREEK geron. (gerousian) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1087.htm - 6k

For the Centenary Anniversaries of the Brethren's Eldership, and ...
... For the Centenary Anniversaries of the Brethren's Eldership, and the beginning of
the Society for the furtherance of the Gospel in the Moravian Church ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn cclxxiii for the centenary.htm

Traditionalism, Its Origin, Character, and Literature - the ...
... ruler. But this is not all. The earlier Maccabees surrounded themselves
with a governing eldership. [466] [467] On the coins of ...
/.../chapter viii traditionalism its origin.htm

Acts VIII
... for, although Paul states that the gift which was in him was given him through prophesy
and "the laying on of the hands of the eldership;" [142] yet he exhorts ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts viii.htm

The Constitution of the Church in the Second Century.
... as a common council requires an official head, or mayor, to take the chair at its
meetings, and to act on its behalf, so the ancient eldership, or presbytery ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter v the constitution of.htm

Acts XIV
... Those congregations of the present day which are under the oversight of an efficient
eldership, other things being equal, come nearer, in every good word and ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiv.htm

The Evolution of Early Congregationalism the Stone which the ...
... Barrowe had seen the confusion and disintegration of Browne's church, and he planned
by thus introducing the Calvinistic theory of eldership to avoid the ...
/.../chapter i the evolution of.htm

The Saybrook Platform
... definition of the powers of the church is not strictly Congregational, because
initiative action and governing powers are intrusted to the eldership, while, to ...
/.../chapter vi the saybrook platform.htm

The Extraordinary Teachers of the Apostolic Church; and Its ...
... for the edification of saints as for the conversion of sinners; and it was, therefore,
necessary that at least some of the session or eldership connected with ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the extraordinary teachers.htm

Alexandria and Rome - the Jewish Communities in the Capitals of ...
... choir of this Jewish cathedral stood seventy chairs of state, encrusted with precious
stones, for the seventy elders who constituted the eldership of Alexandria ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v alexandria and rome.htm

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
... first-fruits, the anointing oil, the tabernacle of meeting, the kingship of the
house of David, the sacrifices, the land of Israel, and the eldership." In truth ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 1 palestine eighteen centuries.htm

Eldership (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The state of being older; seniority. 2. (n.) Office of an elder; collectively,
a body of elders. Multi-Version Concordance Eldership (3 Occurrences). ...
/e/eldership.htm - 7k

Eldest (17 Occurrences)

/e/eldest.htm - 12k

Elder (34 Occurrences)
... 16:21; 21:23; 26:59). The Jewish eldership was transferred from the old
dispensation to the new. "The creation of the office of ...
/e/elder.htm - 27k

Presbyter
... the elders" (Luke 7:3). Naturally the Christian church, beginning at Jerusalem and
formed on the lines of the synagogue, took over the eldership into its own ...
/p/presbyter.htm - 14k

Prophetic (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 4:14 be not careless of the gift in thee, that was given thee through
prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the eldership; (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/prophetic.htm - 9k

Presbytery (1 Occurrence)
... the elders" (Luke 7:3). Naturally the Christian church, beginning at Jerusalem and
formed on the lines of the synagogue, took over the eldership into its own ...
/p/presbytery.htm - 14k

Sanhedrim (20 Occurrences)
... Luke 22:66 And when it became day there was gathered together the eldership of the
people, chief priests also, and scribes, and they led him up to their own ...
/s/sanhedrim.htm - 15k

Elders (203 Occurrences)

/e/elders.htm - 39k

Within (400 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Timothy 4:14 be not careless of the gift in thee, that was given thee through
prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the eldership; (See NAS). ...
/w/within.htm - 36k

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