Eldership In Acts – Part 3 (Acts 20)

Who are "the women" in 1 Timothy 3:11? Are these female deacons in a role identical to the male deacons described earlier? Are these women who help deacons in the execution of their role? Are these the wives of deacons? Are these the wives of deacons and elders? In this lesson, we examine these questions and also the qualifications of these women.

This lesson examines the Scriptures that describe the role and function of deacons in the New Testament church. We study Acts 6 as an example of the definition of the role and general qualifications for deacons, along with the full list of qualifications in 1 Timothy 3.

1 Peter 5 provides great exhortation and encouragement to elders to “shepherd the flock…with eagerness…being examples to the flock” with the hope of great reward from the Chief Shepherd.

This passage has much to say concerning the way in which the local church is to relate to her elders. What does it mean to give “double honor” to elders who lead well? How do we determine appropriate compensation for elders? How do we protect elders from false accusations while at the same time protecting the church from sinful, abusive, greedy, or otherwise unqualified leaders? In what circumstances is it appropriate for an elder to be restored to office?

In this lesson, we review the qualifications for elders in Titus 1 and treat the subject of the process of examination, testing, and qualification of elders.

The list of qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 continues with “not pugnacious,” “considerate,” “peaceable,” “free from the love of money,” “leading his own household well, having his children in submission with all dignity,” “not a new convert,” and having “a good reputation with those outside the church.” We also begin a review of qualifications in Titus 1, with emphasis on “having faithful children” and the question of whether an elder may have unbelieving children.

Examination of the Biblical qualifications of elders continues with “temperate,” “sensible,” “respectable,” “hospitable,” “able to teach,” and “not addicted to wine.” We look at the meaning of each of the words and flesh out how those qualifications are applied to elders. 

Of all the specific topics around eldership discussed in scripture, the Spirit gives the vast majority of His attention to the issue of qualification. Why is the qualification of elders so important? In this lesson, we continue to examine the qualifications for eldership given to the church in 1 Timothy 3, examining the meaning of “above reproach,” and “one-woman man.” 

In this lesson, we begin a detailed survey of the qualifications for elders, first from 1 Timothy 3. What does it mean to aspire to and desire the work and office of an elder? Is this the first qualification? What if an elder loses that desire? 

Why is there so little written to (and about) elders in the general epistles? How should believers relate to their elders? What should elders do for those under their care? We see in this brief survey of eldership in these passages that believers are to esteem those elders that diligently perform their roles of loving leadership and effective teaching.