1 Peter Chapter 5 Pt. 1 The Duties Of Elders In The Church

We are moving into chapter 5 of First Peter. God's Spirit guided Peter to turn his attention to church leadership and relationships within each local church body.

Elders assumed more responsibility as the apostles passed away. 

1 Peter 5:1  The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 

Peter is writing to the "elders" which is a word that refers to church leaders among those who presided over the local assemblies. The New Testament uses the terms bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably.

When we examine the duties and functions of an elder, we will see that they correspond very closely with a Pastor, a Teacher, or an Evangelist. 

An elder is a spiritual leader in a local church, who bears many responsibilities, and we shall briefly look into them.

Elders seek the will of God and settle disputes in the church. 

Acts 15:1-2  And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2)  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 

As Paul began missionary trips to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, many new churches were established. 

Paul and Barnabas returned to their sending church at Antioch to give a report of what God was doing among the Gentiles.

However, Jews from Jerusalem came to Antioch, insisting that Gentile Christians had to obey the law of Moses and submit to circumcision. 

This is a problem that cropped up many times in many different churches throughout all the places that Paul preached the gospel. 

The Judaizers from Jerusalem often came to new churches to stir up trouble for Paul and Barnabas. They propagated a lie that new believers in Christ must be circumcised or else they could not be saved.

This caused a great controversy at Antioch. There was much intense questioning, arguing back and forth, which created strife.

The church determined that Paul, Barnabas and certain other trusted men, should go to Jerusalem to bring this question before the apostles and elders in that location. 

Acts 15 tells about the decision of the council, and they gave full support to Paul and Barnabas, as they strongly condemned the Judaizers and rejected their false teaching. 

Elders pray for those who are sick in the church where they serve.

James 5:14  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 

An elder also prays for those who are sick in the local church where they serve. 

For example, Peter was called to Joppa because a much loved senior saint named Dorcas, had passed away. 

The apostle prayed for her and the Lord raised her up from the dead (Acts 9:40).

After Paul's shipwreck, he ended upon the island of Melita. 

The governor of that island was a man named Publius and he was very sick with a fever and a bloody flux. 

Paul prayed for Publius, laying his hand on him, and the Lord healed him (Acts 28:8).

Elders are responsible for faithfully preaching God's Word in the church.

Acts 20:28-31  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 

The apostle Paul made a special stop near Ephesus, so that he could give them some clear apostolic instruction. 

Their main duty was to be diligent students of the scriptures, so that they might feed the flock of people in the church where they served. 

Think of the adjectives applied to the scriptures. God's Word is compared to apples, honey, thirst quenching water, nourishing mother's milk and strong meat.

Scripture is the food for our souls, that feeds our new inner man, in Christ. 

Each day, we must guard against filling our heart with secular things of the world, for this feeds our old man and fuels our fleshly lusts. 

Each day, we must resolve to fill our heart and mind with truth from the scriptures. God's truth feeds our new man in Christ and helps us live for God's glory, instead of living for the pleasures of the world. 

Church history shows us that false teachers appear repeatedly to lead the people of God into spiritual error. 

This is why the elders must feed the scriptures to the flock of sheep entrusted to their care and oversight. 

This is why each elder, pastor, teacher or lay leader must be thoroughly grounded in the scriptures, so that they are unyielding to any error that may arise. 

Elders must live a godly pattern of life as an example to others. 

1 Peter 5:2-4  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3)  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4)  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 

The apostle Peter also stressed the need for an elder, pastor, teacher, or lay leader to faithfully feed the flock. 

He provides some clear guidance about an elder who is genuine, contrasted with those who serve for the wrong reasons.

Proper motivation for any church leader, is knowing that our faithful service for Jesus Christ, shall be recognized by our Lord.

An elder was to assume the care of a church with a willingness to serve, knowing that he will likely experience trials and troubles in the process.

An elder was never to serve a church, by being coerced or pushed by others, to take on the responsibility.

An elder must have a willing mind, a readiness to serve, and a sense of God calling him to serve his church in this capacity.

An elder is not to abuse his power or use his position for personal gain. An elder who is filled with pride and self conceit, is not fit to be serving in the church. 

An elder is not a "lord" over the children of God in a local church. An elder is not a superior master dictating to slaves in the church, who must do his bidding.

An elder is not to fleece the flock of God by seeking to personally profit from his position. 

An elder is not to ruin the foundation of exalting Jesus Christ in the church, by allowing worldliness and sensuality to creep in.

An elder is to be an example of godliness to all the church. He must serve others in humility, self-abasement, self-renunciation, and heavenly-mindedness. 

An elder must lead by submitting fully to the Lord Jesus Christ and to His commands, so that his example encourages others to live for the glory of God. 

As this new year begins, I urge all those who have spiritual responsibilities like those mentioned here, to seek to comply with God's clear direction for an elder, pastor, teacher, evangelist or lay leader.  

There are way too many bad examples of church leaders who abuse their power and seek personal wealth instead of humbly serving God by serving in their church.

Let us determine to follow hard after Jesus Christ, so that our lives can be used of God to speak to encourage others to live for God's glory.

Bob

Isaiah 40:10-11  Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11)  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.