Why I Am A Member Of
The Church Of Christ
Lesson # 10
Introduction
In our discussion of the organizational structure of the church, we have seen the head of the church is Jesus. He is the supreme authority & the one we follow. He gave His instructions to the apostles & inspired them to write the scriptures. He also ordained that in every church there is to be a plurality of elders who were to oversee the church & point Christians to Jesus. Their job is to be watchmen & warn of danger as well as to mature & discipline the church. To accomplish this work they need to be qualified spiritually & Paul gives us a list of these qualifications in his letters to Timothy & Titus.
1. When discussing qualifications there are many extremes people can take as they
examine the qualifications.
a. Some are
very liberal & are willing to make the qualifications just a list of
qualities that are optional.
1) Paul said that they - "must" have
these qualities 1 Tim.3:2; Titus 1:6
2) Meaning - "necessary", not optional
b. On the other side is the legalistic approach.
1) To them, no man could ever meet the qualifications.
2) Somewhere in between lies the truth, which shows the character of the
man we are looking for.
2. Qualifications of Elders
a. His Attitude Toward The
Work Of An Elder.
1) 1 Tim.3:1 - "sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task"
a) Meaning - "stretch after, reach for, long for.
b) We are not just to appoint the best that are available.
(1) If not capable - Satan use him to destroy the church.
(2) His deep desire must be to serve God & His church
(see this as his calling - task God given him)
c) His task is supremely important - souls are at stake
(1) A "good old boy" just won't do.
(2) This is not a popularity contest - someone all like.
(3) God is presenting His church to the world -
bride of Christ must be holy, stunning.
(4) This man is charged to lead the church in that holiness.
2) Today the world has no importance upon character - just see
what kind of leaders this thinking has brought to us.
b. His desire must be for the proper reasons.
1) 1 Pet.5:2 - not because you must, but because you are willing.
2) Idea is willingness, not forced into the task
a) He senses the need & task set before him by God.
b) He wants to serve God in the capacity of leading God's people.
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3) Eager to serve - eager willingness, with quick lively action.
a) Not just eager to be an Elder - eager to serve
b) Senses that the work must be done - God has a task for him.
2. Qualifications
Concerning His Home Life.
a. The husband of one wife - 1 Tim.3:2;
Titus 1:6
1) Means literally - "a one woman man" - not have more than one wife.
a) Can't be single & qualify
b) Can't be a polygamist & qualify
2) Other versions
a) Williams - "must have only one wife"
b) New English Bible - "faithful to his one wife"
c) New King James Version - "the husband of one wife"
b. Having faithful children - 1
Tim.3:4; Titus 1:6
1) 1 Tim.3:4 - manage family well & children obey with proper respect.
a) Idea - his ability to lead is seen in his family's character
b) Able to manage his own house - good head of his own house
c) Helps his children to develop a reverence for God
d) His children show respect for his authority as head of the family
2) Titus 1:6 - "a man whose children believe"
a) Means - faithful (can be relied upon); In NT one whom trusts in
Jesus as the Messiah
b) Other versions
(1) American Standard - "children that believe"
(2) Knox - "whose children hold the faith"
(3) TCNT - whose children are Christians"
(4) Taylor - children must love the Lord"
c) Obvious requirement is that his children must be Christians.
(1) How many? Is the number important?
(a) Lk.14:26 - unable to be a disciple if only 1 child
(b) Mk.10:29,30 - disqualified because only 1 child
(c) 1 Tim.5:4 - no responsibility if only had 1 child?
(2) Question - Was God's point fertility or guidance ability?
3) What if children grown - out of his house & become unfaithful?
a) Is he responsible for the households of his children? Gen.2:24
b) See the lives of men like Samuel, David - not all kids faithful.
c. What about his wife?
1) Deacons wife had qualifications - 1 Tim.3:11
2) American Standard & New American Standard - apply to all women
a) "ASV "Women in like manner must be"
b) NASV "Women must likewise be"
3) It would appear that these are characteristics are expected of all women
a) Titus 2:3-5 - what expected of older & younger women
b) 1 Tim.5:14 - "give enemy no opportunity to slander"
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3. His Experience As A Christian
a. Having an ability to teach.
1) Means - apt & skillful in teaching; a gift for teaching; qualified to teach
2) His work is to teach - guide the flock, watch out for wolves
a) To do this he must know the truth & be able to convey truth
b) 2 Tim.2:24-26 - sense the skill - patience, not argumentative
c) Titus 1:9 - able to exhort & convince those who oppose truth
b. Holding faithfully to the word of God -
Titus 1:9
1) Means - paying heed personally.
a) Not just able teach others - teaches self & lives it
b) Acts 20:29-31 - warns - evil will come from leadership
2) Must personally keep examining our life - be repentant
a) Take our walk with Jesus seriously
b) Mt.7:21-23 - not all who say Lord, Lord
c. Not a recent convert - 1 Tim.3:6
1) Means - not one who has recently become a Christian
a) He needs to be tested as to his faithfulness & character
b) An Elder needs spiritual maturity & wisdom - gained from life
2) If recent convert - great temptation for pride - Satan get to him easily
a) Pride will always bring destruction - self & followers
b) 2 Cor.12:7-10 - Paul needed thorn to deal with his pride
d. Maintains a good reputation - 1
Tim.3:7
1) Means - excellent testimony, praiseworthy, honorable
2) Maintains a good reputation in the public
a) If not - Jesus' name smeared
b) Without this - not effective in community
3) His Christian life must be seen more than just at the building
(wherever he goes - Christ is exalted in his life)
a. Positive
1) Blameless, above reproach
a) Versions
(1) TCNT - "of blameless character"
(2) Knox - "one with whom no fault can be found"
b) Means- not open to censure, irreproachable; can't be laid hold of
(1) Implies more than just being acquitted - is an
absence of charges or accusations against him.
(2) Takes seriously Mt.5:23,24 - goes & makes amends
c) Not mean never makes a mistake - none are perfect
2) Temperate
a) Versions
(1) KJV - self-controlled
(2) McCord -clear headed
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b) Idea is to be a man of self-control, not given to excesses
(1) Reasonable, restrained
(2) Conservative in his behavior
3) Self-controlled
a) Versions
(1) NKJV - sober- minded
(2) RSV - sensible
(3) NASV - prudent
b) Means - of a sound mind, serious, not flippant
4) Respectable
a) Versions
(1) KJV - of good behavior
(2) RSV - dignified
(3) TCNT - a person of a well ordered life
b) Means - well arranged & modest
(1) His life cannot be in disarray (out of control)
(2) He must be a well-behaved person
5) Hospitable
a) Versions
(1) KJV - given to hospitality
(2) Titus 1:8 - a lover of hospitality
b) Means - a lover of strangers
(1) One who opens his house up freely to guests.
(2) Ready & willing to entertain strangers.
6) Gentle
a) Versions
(1) ABUV - forbearing
(2) Rotherham - considerate
(3) Conybeare - peaceable
b) Means - moderate, equitable, fair
(1) Disposition must be tolerant, understanding, agreeable
(2) Not a controversialist - kind, polite in relationships
7) A lover of what is good - Titus 1:8
a) Because of common interests, he is drawn to what is good
b) Can't inspire goodness in others unless devoted to goodness also
8) Upright - Titus 1:8
a) Means -denotes righteousness, a state of being right, right
conduct
b) One who seeks to do what is right
as defined by God.
9)
Holy
a) Means - free from wickedness; religiously observing every
moral obligation - takes religion seriously
b) Inconceivable that a spiritual leader would himself not be pure
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10) Disciplined - Titus 1:8
a) Means - having power over self; mastering & restraining self
b) 1 Cor.9:26,27 - buffet body
b. Negative
1) Not given to wine - 1 Tim.3:3; Titus 1:7
a) Versions
(1) NASB - not addicted to wine
(2) Weymouth - not a hard drinker
(3) Berkley - not a drunkard
b) Means - one who sits long at his wine, drunken
c) Note – closer get to top leadership, less use of wine
(1) Timothy – little wine for stomach’s sake
(2) Deacon – not indulging in much wine
2) Not quarrelsome, violent - 1 Tim.3:3; Titus 1:7
a) Versions
(1) NASB - not pugnacious
(2) Weymouth - not given to blows
(3) Berkley - not a fist fighter
(4) Phillips - not violent
(5) Rotherham - not ready to wound
b) Means - a bruiser, striker, ready for giving a blow
(1) Elders must control their temper, not be ready to fight
(2) Not be ready to resent insults or wrong
3) Not a lover of money - 1 Tim.3:3; Titus 1:7
a) Versions
(1) Rotherham - fond of money
(2) Knox - grasping for money
(3) Phillips - not guilty of money grabbing
b) Means - eager for base gain or money
(1) Not place an inordinate value on money
(2) Not seek to gain money by unethical means
(3) His interest is not in the accumulation of wealth
(4) Lk.16:10-13 - can't serve God & money
4) Not overbearing - Titus 1:7
a) Means - self willed; self pleasing; arrogant, stubborn
b) An Elder must truly care about God first, then others
c) See Ezek.34:1-6 - look out for self 1st
5) Not quick tempered - Titus 1:7
a) Versions
(1) NASV - not quick tempered
(2) ASV - not soon angry
b) Means - easily angered, hot-tempered
(1) Prov.22:24,25 - don't associate with - learn their ways
(2) Prov.14:17 - hot-tempered does foolish things
(3) Prov.15:18 - hot-tempered stirs up dissention
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5. Relationship of the local church to her elders
a. Know them & esteem them
1) 1 Thess.5:12,13 - Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work
hard among you, who
are over you in the Lord and who admonish
you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their
work. Live in peace with each other. (NIV)
2) Respect – pay attention to; cherish regard (Hold in highest regard)
3) If we are not to speak evil of any man, how much more an elder
a) See what blaspheming physical leaders causes
b) A house divided against itself cannot stand
c) It is a grave thing to speak disrespectfully of or ridicule God’s
leaders
b. Be subject to them
1) Heb.13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They
keep watch over
you as men who must give an account. Obey
them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that
would be of no advantage to you. (NIV)
2) God wants us to willingly submit because they are essential for our
spiritual well being. The body must function in cooperation or it
becomes unhealthy.
c. Be respectful even though they may be in the wrong
1) 1 Tim.5:19,20 - Do not entertain an accusation against an elder
unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are
to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. (NIV)
2) Don’t allow hearsay & rumors – accusations must be verified
d. Support
those who devote full time to their work
1) 1 Tim.5:17,18 - The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are
worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is
preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the
ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his
wages." (NIV)
2) Double honor - refers to value (used for a price paid or received)