THE MINISTRY OF ELDERS - LIST OF CHARACTERISTICS
1.
They are
selected from among the believers - Acts 6:3,5; Acts 14:22-23 
2.
Approved of
by the church - Acts 6:5
3.
Receive
funds sent to the church for distribution to those in need - Acts 11:29-30
4.
In
a position of financial leadership in the church - Acts 11:30
5.
Work
with prophets as teachers in the local church - Acts 13:1-3
6.
Fasted
and prayed with prophets in ministry to the Lord to get God's leading - Acts
13:2
7.
Used
by God, along with prophets to send apostles out by laying on of hands - Acts
13:3-4
8.
Worked
with apostles on an equal basis to establish doctrine - Acts 15:4-7; 1 Peter
5:1
9.
Interact
with other churches to discuss doctrine - Acts 15:4-7
10. Bought approval of the
entire church to decide doctrinal disputes - Acts 15:22
11. Were leaders along with
apostles in the local church - Acts 15:23
12. Assumed accountability for
the actions of believers in the local church - Acts 15:24
13. Are subject to other elders
and apostles under the guidance of the Holy Spirit - Acts 15:25
14. Journeyed to other churches
to help teach - Acts 15:33
15. Sent decrees (decisions) to
other churches via apostles - Acts 15:27;16:4
16. Accompanied apostles on
apostolic journeys at times - Acts 20:3-4
17. Received instruction and
warnings from apostles - Acts 20:7-28; 1 Tim.3 & 4;1 Peter 5
18. Taught the scripture from
house to house - Acts 20:20; 5:42
19. Accountable to fellow elders
- Acts 20:28-30; 1 Peter 5:1-3
20. They are to shepherd
(pastor) the flock of God - Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3
21. Responsible to guard the
flock - Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-3
22. Work as a group to lead the
church - Acts 11:30;15:2-6,12-13,19,22-23;20:17,28;21:17-20
Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:28-29; 1 Peter
5:1-3;
23. Gave written instructions
(along with the apostles) to the churches - Acts 15:22-24;16:4 Acts 21:20ff
24. Were appointed by the
apostles in every church - Actsl4:22-23
25. Were led, along with the
church, by the Holy Spirit - Acts 15:25,28
26. Gathered the church together
for meetings - Acts 15:30
27. Taught the church as a group
effort - Acts 15:30-31
28. Gave instructions to
apostles for specific purposes of ministry - Acts 16:4
29. They “rule” (Greek word
means lead) the church as a group - 1 Timothy 5:17
30. Work hard at teaching and
preaching - 1 Timothy 5:17
31. Worthy of compensation for
laboring in the Word - 1 Timothy 5:17-18
32. Not to be accused of wrongdoing
unless there are 2-3 witnesses - 1 Timothy 5:19
33. If they continue in sin,
must be rebuked before entire church - 1 Timothy 5:20
34. Must be without bias or
partiality amongst the brethren - 1 Timothy 5:21
35. Must be above reproach - 1
Timothy 3:2
36. Must be the husband of one
wife (no polygamy allowed) - 1 Timothy 3:2
37. Must be temperate ( sober )
- 1 Timothy 3:2
38. Must be self controlled,
sensible, well-behaved, dignified - I Timothy 3:2
39. Must be hospitable - I
Timothy 3:2
40. Must be able to teach - 1
Timothy 3:2
41. Not addicted to wine or
pugnacious - 1 Timothy 3:3 42. Must be gentle - 1 Timothy 3:3
42. Must not be uncontentious -
1 Timothy 3:3
43. Must be free from the love
of money - 1 Timothy 3:3
44. Must manage his own
household well; keep his children under control - 1 Timothy 3:4
45. Manages the church - 1
Timothy 3:5
46. Must not be a new convert -
1 Timothy 3:6
47. Must not be conceited - 1
Timothy 3:6
48. Must have a good reputation
to those outside the church - 1 Timothy 3:7
49. Called for by the church to
pray for the sick - James 5:14
50. They are the oversight of
the church - 1 Peter 5:1-3
51. Not to serve for financial
gain - 1 Peter 5:2
52. Not to serve out of
compulsion, but eagerly - 1 Peter 5:2
53. Not to be heavy-handed or
overpower the flock - 1 Peter 5:2
54. Must be an example to the
believers of godly living - 1 Peter 5:2
Links to
the entire Pastors, Elders and Deacons Series:
What is the Biblical
Role of a Pastor in the Church?
What
Is The Scriptural Role Of A Deacon?
Disfellowshipping True
Believers – Pastoral Misuse of Scripture
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