056. Eldership, Perpetuity of the

056. Eldership, Perpetuity of the

56 PERPETUITY OF THE ELDERSHIP

INTRODUCTION The church first existed in ifs infantile state-this was the period of miraculous power, before the New Testament was com pleted. Next it existed in its manhood state of ordinary powers, this after the New Testament completed .(Ephesians 4:11-16.) I. THE WORK OF ELDERS 1. To feed the flock.

2. To govern or rule.

3. This work is needed today; hence men are needed to do this kind of work.

II. NOT ALL ELDERS INSPIRED 1. All inspired persons have ceased.

2. No one can prove that all elders were inspired.

3. Inspiration aot one of the qualifications.

4. "Elder" not named among the miraculous gifts.

Ill. GOD’S FORM OF GOVERNMENT 1. This was vested in the eldership in the early church.

2. If elders ceased, did God’s form of government cease?

If not, who is divinely appointed to administer it?

3. As spiritual gifts are about to disappear, the eldership was fully established.

4. Their qualifications given to guide for all times in selecting elders .

5. Elders show th at they did not cease.

IV. ELDERS MEN OF AGE AND EXPERIENCE 1. Not mentioned in New Testament until time for the development .

2. Church established A.D. 33; in A.D. 41 a famine in Judea.

3. Paul and Barnabas took help to the elders. (Acts 11:30.) 4. This first mention of elders.

5. Elders existed when the New Testament closed .

V. A MAN MUST NOT CHANGE GOD’S ORDER 1 . God required elders to be appointed in all the churches.

2. He never ordained th at elders should be discontinued .

3. To discontinue them is to change the aivine government.

4. Their work must continue hen ce the elders must continue.