The word “elder” is translated from the Greek presbuteros, meaning an older man comparable to our word “senior”. The term is a designation that implies rank due to age, i.e., experience. In other words, he is an older man of experience who is held in honor. Campbell’s work concludes that in both Jewish and Graeco-Roman…
Paul used the word “overseer” in 1 Timothy 3 and the word “elders” in Titus 1:7 when giving a very comparable list of qualifications. Some argue from the Pastoral epistles that “elders” are in the plural and “overseer” is in the singular. Therefore, it is argued that these refer to two different church offices. …
The term was applied to Yahweh in the Old Testament. He is depicted as leading his flock to pastures (Jer. 50:19), and securing places for them to rest by the waters (Psalms 23:2; Isa. 49:9-10). He carries the lambs in his bosom (Isa. 40:11) and protects his flock with his staff (Ps. 23:2). Jeremiah also…
Denominations from the Protestant reformation have inherited a mindset from the Mother of all churches that God is pleased with the formation of local church organizations composed of bishops or an equivalent rank who rule over the people. Some traditions make the clergy/laity distinction more pronounced than others. Yet, the effect is the same –…