Should we do it? If so, how?
The question sometimes arises, “Should we recognize and/or appoint elders in each local church?” Some believers argue that in Scripture elders were only appointed by apostles or their delegates, and so today we should not appoint or recognize elders.
It is true that in Scripture it would seem that elders were only appointed by apostles or their delegates. We read about the apostolic appointment in Acts 14:23 and the appointment by a delegate in Titus 1:5. However, as we examine the Scriptures more closely, we see some interesting facts. First, these two passages are the only places where we see elders or overseers being appointed. In most places in Scripture, elders are simply mentioned in the text without any reference as to how they became elders. There is no explicit instruction as to who may recognize elders.
The second fact concerning apostolic appointment is that the appointment in Acts 14:23 was by Paul and Barnabas. While Barnabas is described as an “apostle” in Acts 14:14, it would seem from the distinction made in Acts 9:27 that in Barnabas’ case, the word “apostle” might carry its normal meaning of “messenger” rather than the special ecclesiastical meaning. It is quite possible that one of the men making the appointment of an elder was not really an apostle in the strict sense of the word, but simply a messenger.
The Holy Spirit has given us a considerable amount of Scripture describing the qualities of character found in an elder. Of course we could say that 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 explain the qualities of character that every Christian man should have. However, the text was obviously given so that those men who were elders could be identified. These passages gave instruction to Timothy and Titus so they could recognize who was an elder and who was not. If we believe we should not recognize elders anymore, we remove the primary purpose for which these two passages are found in the Bible.
The passages we have just mentioned are interesting for an additional reason. While Titus was given a clear charge by Paul to appoint elders, Timothy was not. And yet instruction is given to Timothy on how to identify elders. Like Timothy, we have been given the instructions on how to recognize an elder without the need of an apostolic charge. We must stand on Scripture alone. When the Spirit makes a man into an elder, we will be able to identify him based on the description given in Scripture.
If there are no elders in the local church, who will lead it? Some will give the obvious answer, “The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Church.” Of course, we recognize that the Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church. But if the Head of the Church saw the need of having under-shepherds appointed in each local church two thousand years ago, why would He not use them today?
Hebrews 13:17 states, “Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account.” Based on a false understanding of church government, a man might identify himself as a leader, take charge of a local church, and expect implicit obedience. This is what happens with the common clergy system, where one man is given rule over a church. A plurality of recognized godly leadership will preserve us from such an unscriptural method. “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Prov. 11:14).
If we are to recognize elders, they must possess the qualities given in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. If we do not recognize elders, we will still have leaders of some sort, and yet these could be men who fall short of the biblical standard.
What will we be missing if we do not recognize the elders the Lord has provided? We will not give a clear mandate to those who are given charge to shepherd us (1 Pet. 5:1-2) and protect us from the savage wolves (Acts 20:28-29). We also will be left in a very uncertain position when assembly discipline needs to be exercised. And the public ministry of the Word can become haphazard and sparse without a group of men who are responsible for this.
We place ourselves on slippery ground if we reject some of the teaching in 1 Timothy and Titus because they were apostolic delegates. Once we start rejecting some parts of 1 Timothy and Titus for this reason, we run the risk that other portions may be rejected.
Many who do not officially recognize elders in fact do appoint men to a position of “elder” in everything but name. Whether we call these men “responsible brothers” or “pastors,” they still occupy the place and function of an elder, and in many cases expect the obedience that must be shown to a true elder. The only real difference between these men and true elders is that these men may feel excused from having the character traits that a real elder must have.
If we believe that elders should be recognized, how is it done? Consider the pattern in Acts 14:21-23.
And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
If some suggest that the biblical pattern is that only apostles or their delegates appointed elders, we can just as easily suggest that it is the biblical pattern that having planted new churches, it is the pioneering evangelists that later return to recognize elders. I have heard of pioneering evangelists doing just this, and I take no exception to it because I find this in Scripture.
But what about an existing congregation that has become convinced about New Testament Church truth, and wishes to have elders? What about a small group of Christians who wish to establish a new church without the efforts of a pioneering evangelist? How might they recognize elders? We can recognize who should be an elder by the same standard Timothy and Titus used. If a man has the qualities of character described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, and if he is willing to serve in the role of shepherd, then I believe he already is an elder, and we need only recognize publicly what the Holy Spirit has already done within that man.
I maintain a deep love for many who do not believe that elders should not be appointed or recognized today. And yet I believe Scripture teaches that we should have elders, and we rob ourselves of great blessing if we do not recognize them. It is the Spirit who makes men overseers, but it is our privilege to submit to them.