Question: In what way do “elders” (see 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1 and 1 Peter 5) function among the people of God today?
Answer: When the church was formed, there was unity. The New Testament Scriptures were not yet completed. God would have all things done decently and in order. In Acts 14:2323And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:23) the Apostle Paul appointed elders (plural) in every church (assembly). Scripture never teaches that only one man should have such leadership in an assembly. In the same verse, they prayed with fasting and commended them to the Lord on whom they believed. The Holy Spirit is to have liberty to control the assembly and the meetings held by it.
The context of Titus 1:5-75For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; (Titus 1:5‑7) shows that the words “elder” and “bishop” refer to the same person. Titus 1:55For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5) is cited as an example of one other than an apostle appointing elders. Titus was appointed by an apostle to do so. It shows that an assembly could not itself appoint its own elders else why send Titus?
When Paul spoke to the elders of the assembly at Ephesus, he did not tell them to appoint successors, to choose a pastor, or to make a constitution. He commended them “to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:3232And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)).
Then what about today? Since no one has authority to appoint elders, we do not appoint any. We should, however, recognize those who, without official title, morally function as elders in the local assembly. (This service is only for the local assembly.)
A brother, who once had a question about this, went to an older, respected brother in his local assembly. He asked him, “I read in the Bible about elders. What about elders today?” After some thought the older brother replied, “Well the chances are if you ever met one, he’d never admit to being one.” The brother said later, “I knew then that I was talking to one.” Such humility is characteristic of one who fills the office of an elder without appointment.
The aged Apostle John referred to himself as “the elder.” As an apostle appointed by the Lord Jesus, he was known as an elder. Age alone does not qualify one to act in the capacity of an elder. In 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 we learn that proper behavior is requisite. “Not a novice” implies a proving of one’s self over a period of time. A number of things are mentioned, including a scriptural marital relationship and an orderly family. Having a good report of those without is another important characteristic. Such men have morally proved themselves.
T. A. Roach