Elders

Part 8 - Godliness is a Prerequisite

Last time we affirmed that ruling elders and pastors are servants of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit places them in office. "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). In pursuing this thought, we may ask, How do we have the assurance the Holy Spirit has placed the pastor and the elders in service in our local congregation? The answer is twofold. The Bible gives certain qualifications for ruling elders and pastors. Scripture also outlines certain procedures for the election of elders. We look at the qualifications first. If we want assurance the Holy Spirit places a man in office in our congregation we must seek men who meet the biblical qualifications.

There are two aspects to the biblical requirements for office. First, it goes without saying, men must be sound in the faith. They must know the Bible and be able to use the Bible. They must be able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2, 2 Timothy 2:24). They must be committed to and be able to teach the truths of Scripture as outlined in the in Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger, and Shorter Catechisms. We discussed this in a previous lesson.

In our circles, we tend to place heavy emphasis upon doctrine and theology. This is especially the case when we examine potential pastors. However, when we review the qualifications for elder outlined by the apostle Paul, we find he places more weight upon matters that have to do with godliness and interpersonal relations. We may put it this way, the Holy Spirit, speaking through the apostle, highlights godly living more than theology. This idea may startle us. However, a little reflection will indicate that when difficulties arise within a congregation, it is usually not a problem of doctrine but a matter of practice. Heresy is usually not the issue but relationships are.

For example, look at 1Timothy 3:2-3. Notice the accent in this list of qualifications is not on doctrine but upon godliness. "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money." How a man functions in relation to others is of utmost importance. Elders must be temperate, prudent, hospitable, gentle, and peaceable. There is a high priority on these qualities.

Many of us are trained in nouthetic counseling. It properly teaches we are "able also to admonish one another" (Romans 15:14). Too often, however, biblical admonishment turns to impatient and unkind confrontation. Does confrontation bring repentance? "The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:24-25). Paul links an elder's kindness and patience with repentance. He does so because they are also connected in the character and work of God. "Do you think lightly of the riches of His [God's] kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4). "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

If we seek out men as elders and pastors who exhibit godliness, we can have assurance the Holy Spirit places them in office in our congregations.