Acts 20:17-36

Acts 20:17-36

elders “bishops” “pastors”

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders Acts 20:17-36- Paul called for the “elders” from Ephesus [v. 17]- Paul said that the Holy Spirit had made them “overseers” (bishops) of the flock of God [v. 28]- Paul said that God had given them a task: to “shepherd” (pastor) the church of God [v. 28]Paul is clearly speaking to the same men he called from Ephesus:elders, bishops, and pastors are the same according to the Bible

Each term describes a different aspect of their roles

Today’sFocus

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- primarily a comparative description of

age:• Lk 15:25; Ac 2:17; Hb 11:2 (ancestors); 1 Tm 5:2; etc. - not necessarily “ancient”, but older

by comparison

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- primarily a comparative description of

age• from the O. T. -- “presbuteros” translates “zaqen”

- secondarily describes “position” of responsibility: among Gentiles: Gn 50:7; Nm 22:7 among the Jews: Nm 11:16-17 (God-ordained); Dt 27:1

Elder

roles

represent the nation – Ex 3:16-18; 19:7-8; 24:9; Lv 4:15 serve as “officers” – Dt 19:11-12; 22:13-21; etc. aid in judgments – Nm 11:16-17; Dt 21:18-21; Pr 31:23

The“seventy” were the basis for the

Sanhedrin later in Israel

1 Tm 4:14; 5:17; Tt 1:5; Ja 5:14; 1 Pt 5:1

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- primarily a comparative description of

age• from the O. T. -- “presbuteros” translates “zaqen”

- secondarily describes “position” of responsibility:• New Testament use stems from Old Testament basis: among the Jews: Mt 16:21; Ac 4:5, 8 (incl. Sanhedrin) among Christians: Ac 11:27; 14:23; 15 & 16:4; 20:17; 21:18

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- primarily a comparative description of

age- secondarily describes “position” of responsibility- Vine’s N.T. Greek: “…presbuteroi [describes] their maturity of spiritual experience.” [Lv 19:32; Dn 7:9]

A Biblical Elder:Mature spiritually, not just physicallyExperienced spiritually, not just in life

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- Mature and experienced in spiritual

matters Christian “elders” further defined by context:- Ac 11:27-30

• administrators of the funds received from Antioch on behalf of the needs of the church among them • cp. Acts 4:32-37; no longer using the apostles for this• some early Christians now mature enough to do this• who better to know the needs of each congregation?

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- Mature and experienced in spiritual

matters Christian “elders” further defined by context:- Ac 11:27-30; 14:23

• a plurality of elders in each local church [cp. Tt 1:5]• follows the pattern of Israel; many elders appointed• elders are “commended…to the Lord in whom they have believed.” [they are entrusted to the Lord with the weight and responsibility of their task; stewards]

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- Mature and experienced in spiritual

matters Christian “elders” further defined by context:- Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29;

16:4-5 • considered and involved in dispute over circumcision• corrected error that had proceeded from people of their congregation – they had not taught this error!• helped choose local men to go and deliver the letter

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- Mature and experienced in spiritual

matters Christian “elders” further defined by context:- Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29;

16:4-5; 20:17 • Paul called for these men specifically; the mature• these had labored closely with him; he now warned them to use that experience to ward off “wolves” • the spiritually mature and experienced are those to whom it is given to “support the weak” [v. 35]

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- Mature and experienced in spiritual

matters Christian “elders” further defined by context:- Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29;

16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 • context of 21:17-25 is important: elders called to help• because of their spiritual maturity and experience, these men suggest that the apostle Paul participate in this Jewish rite, and he respects their suggestion!

• maturely, wisely, they sought a teaching opportunity

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- Mature and experienced in spiritual

matters Christian “elders” further defined by context:- Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29;

16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 • similar to Ac 15:25 – involved in the choosing of local men for involvement in the spread of the gospel

- 1 Tm 4:14

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- Mature and experienced in spiritual

matters Christian “elders” further defined by context:- Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29;

16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 • expected to “rule” (govern), laboring in word (study) and doctrine (teaching); if done well, doubly honor• by virtue of respect: no hasty accusations [Lv 19:32]

- 1 Tm 4:14; 5:17-20

• by virtue of position: if guilty, stern public rebuke

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- Mature and experienced in spiritual

matters Christian “elders” further defined by context:- Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29;

16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 • “elder” here first is “blameless”; by pattern of life he has shown correction of error [tested; cp. 1 Tm 3:6-7]• “elder” also used here in the context of family; has experience with leadership and teaching discipline

- 1 Tm 4:14; 5:17-20; Tt 1:5-6

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- Mature and experienced in spiritual

matters Christian “elders” further defined by context:- Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29;

16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 • in context, is experienced to comfort those who are ill (both spiritually and physically) [L.C. and M.L. ex.] • from context, is a spiritually-minded, prayerful man, whose righteousness is known and trusted

- 1 Tm 4:14; 5:17-20; Tt 1:5-6; Ja 5:14-16

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

elders “elders” is from Greek “presbuteros”- Mature and experienced in spiritual

matters Christian “elders” further defined by context:- Ac 11:27-30; 14:23; Ac 15:2, 4, 6-29;

16:4-5; 20:17; 21:18 • exhorted not to serve as “lords over those entrusted to you”; the temptation is to delegate all to others• the mature and experienced elder knows that true leaders both serve and delegate, leading by example

- 1 Tm 4:14; 5:17-20; Tt 1:5-6; Ja 5:14-16; 1 Pt 5:1-4

elders

Acts 20:27-36 elders “bishops”

“pastors”

The “Chief Shepherd” is Jesus Himself

Matt 18:11-13He is seeking for

those sheep which are lost

Rev 1:8, 12-14, 18

He is “elder of elders”

the “Ancient of Days”

He alone has the wisdom and

experience to save us; He has the words of lifeWould YOU submit to His rule

today?