International Bible Teaching Ministries
General Information Elders and Decons
Question 1: May women scripturally serve as deacons and elders?
ANSWER: The qualifications for these offices are found in I Timothy 3:1-13 and in Titus 1:6-9. That these unchangeable qualifications relate only to men can clearly be seen in these passages by the use of only masculine nouns and pronouns. Additionally, both elders and deacons are to be the husbands of one wife (I Timothy 3, Verses 2 and 12). Women, therefore, cannot fulfill this God-given qualification!
Also, women cannot scripturally become elders and deacons (deaconesses) because such would result in a violation of I Timothy 2:9-15. This scripture forbids women to usurp the authority that God has given to man. Verses nine and ten read, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."
Question 2: In light of a statement in your correspondence course that "Nowhere do you read of a pastor (preacher) being head over a congregation," would you explain Ephesians 4:11?
ANSWER: The thrust of the paragraph in which this statement was made was to show that the denominational world has departed from the scriptural pattern for the organization of the church of Christ. The denominations have rejected the divine pattern by assigning the title of "pastor" to the preacher, or the evangelist, thus giving him the rule over the local congregation. First the word "pastor" is never scripturally applied to the preacher or evangelist. The words preacher and evangelist refer to the same function in the church. In other words, the evangelist is the preacher! Note that Paul told Timothy, in II Timothy 4:2, to "preach the word," and then in II Timothy 4:5, he told him to "do the work of an evangelist." Therefore, they are the same!
The word "pastor" is another word used to describe the work of an elder. It is from the Greek word “poimen,” which means to "tend” or "feed,” or to "take care of." In Acts 20:28, as Paul is talking to the Ephesian elders or overseers, he instructs these to "feed" the church of God. The word "feed" in this passage is also from the Greek word poimen (pastor). What Paul then is saying to these elders is, 'you elders are to "pastor" (feed) the church.' So then, we can see that the elders are the pastors, not the preacher (evangelist). This is, as well, made clear in the passage questioned. Notice that Paul shows a clear difference between evangelists (preachers) and "pastors." Why does he make this distinction? Simply because the word "pastor" in Ephesians 4:11 refers to elders, not to preachers (evangelists)!
The statement in the correspondence course is true. "Nowhere do you read of a preacher (erroneously called a "pastor" by the denominations) being head over a congregation." The "rule" of a congregation belongs only to a plurality of elders within the local congregation (Hebrews 13:7,17; I Peter 5:1-4). The "rule" of a congregation was not assigned to the preacher. He, as all others in the local congregation, is to be under the "rule" of the elders, and is to be obedient to them within the guidelines of God's Word!
Question 3: Do we have spiritual leaders in the church today?
ANSWER: There is no earthly head of the church! Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Acts 2:29-35) and has been made "to be the head over all things to the church" (Ephesians 1:22). Each congregation of the Lord's church is self-governing, answerable only to Christ and is overseen by a plurality (more than one) of elders, independent of all other congregations. It is the responsibility of these men to "feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). By this we have been given to understand that there is no higher governing body on this earth and to this we are limited! Deacons are to serve the congregation under the oversight of the elders (I Timothy 3:8-13). Evangelists are to proclaim the Word (II Timothy 4:1-5). In biblical terms, a man is said to be “spiritual” when He abides by the Scriptures (I Corinthians 2:15; I Corinthians 3:1; Galatians 6:1). If an elder then is abiding by the Scriptures, he may be said to be a “spiritual leader.” It must be made clear, however, that there is not an authorized office of “leader.” Often, especially in Africa, when men are not qualified to be elders, they are sometimes designated as “leaders” and in that capacity assume the responsibilities of elders. This is a violation of Scripture. If a man is not qualified to be an elder, neither is he qualified to lead.
Question 4: By what authority do churches of Christ have committees composed of elders and deacons?
ANSWER: By the authority of the New Testament (I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Philippians 1:1; Hebrews 13:7,17; I Peter 5:1-3)!
Question 5: At what age is a man qualified to be an elder or deacon?
ANSWER: The word “elder” as used in the Bible refers to a man of age and dignity. In New Testament times a man was considered a child until the age of eighteen; from eighteen to forty, he was considered a youth; and after forty, he was considered an older or elder man. Clearly, a youth or young man is not qualified to be an elder, but must be one with believing children, a man of age and experience in the Scriptures and the work of the Lord. A deacon must be old enough to have children and, as well, to be knowledgeable in the Scriptures, i.e., “holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience” (I Timothy 3:8). One of the worse mistakes a congregation can make is to appoint someone who is immature and unknowledgeable in the Scriptures to any office! Such will destroy a congregation!
Question 6: Which verses in the Bible teach of more than one elder over a congregation?
ANSWER: The mention of the office in the New Testament is always found in the plural indicating more than one. For example: Acts 11:30 and Acts 14:23 (note: elders in every church). In referring to those holding the office in Jerusalem, it speaks in the plural (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, & 23). When the men were called to meet Paul from the church at Ephesus to Miletus, he called the “elders” of “the” church, not the elder! Throughout this type of language is used, always showing a plurality, e.g., Titus 1:5, “Ordain elders in every city;” James 5:14, “Let him call for the elders of the church;” and I Peter 5:1, “The elders that are among you.” The fact of a multiplicity of elders in the early church has been fully established both by the New Testament and history.
Question 7: From I Timothy 4:14 do we learn that the laying on of the elder’s hands elders caused Timothy to receive the spiritual gifts? Does it mean that apart from the apostles the elders also laid hands on people (in those days) for the reception of the spiritual gifts? Compare with Romans 1:11.
ANSWER: ONLY the apostles could lay hands on others in order to impart gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is clearly seen in Acts 8:18 where we find it was necessary for Peter and John to journey (a long trip in those days) from Jerusalem to Samaria to lay hands on those that Philip had baptized into Christ. This is also evident in Romans 1:11. The apostle Paul desired to go to Rome so that he might “impart some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.” As well, it was the apostle Paul who imparted “the gift of God” to Timothy. This fact is established in II Timothy 1:6. Remember that it was the custom of that day for those in authority to lay hands on those that were being given or assigned a particular task This was the case in Acts 13:2 where certain prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch laid hands on Barnabas and Paul for a particular work to be undertaken, praying for that work and asking the Lord to bless the effort. The same is true of the elders who laid hands on Timothy, charging him with the work of an evangelist. There are two key words found in I Timothy 4:14 and II Timothy 1:6 that will help our understanding of the above. In I Timothy 4:14, the gift given Timothy was “with” (Greek – “meta”) the hands of Paul, but in II Timothy 1:6 Paul tells Timothy to “stir up the gift that is in thee “by” (KJV) or “through” (NKJV) (Greek – “dia”) the putting on of my hands.” Obviously then, the elders and Paul laid their hands on Timothy at the same time. The elder’s purpose was to charge Timothy with a work and to ask God’s blessing upon him, while the apostle’s purpose was to impart “some spiritual gift.”