Peter Barnes | 1 Timothy 5:17-25
SERMON NOTES
THE ROLE OF ELDERS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
1 Tim. 5:17-25; 1 Peter 5:1-11
– they appear without explanation in Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 4, 6, 23; 20:17, 28; 21:18; clearly taken over from the Old Testament.
– an elder and an overseer (bishop) are the same in Acts 20:17, 28; Tit. 1:5, 7; 1 Peter 5:1-2
1. Elders are to govern the church.
– 1 Tim.5:17; Heb.13:17; Acts 16:4; not priests or cardinals or people with the loudest voices, but elders
2. Elders are to teach the Word of God.
– 1 Tim.5:17; see 1 Tim.3:2; Tit.1:9; hence James 3:1
– publicly and in homes (Acts 20:20)
3. Elders are to pray, especially for the sick.
– Acts 6:1-4; more specific in James 5:14, where emotions can be high
4. Elders must be good examples.
– Acts 20:28; 1 Pet.5:1-3; note imitation in 1 Cor.11:1; Phil.4:9