Grace Bible Church Gillette, Wyoming

1. We have observed the establishment of the office of deacon in Ac 6:3. The office of elder has also been mentioned in Acts in the following aspects.

a) Appointment of Leadership (Ac 14:23; Ac 21:18)

b) Financial Responsibilities (Ac 11:30)

c) Doctrinal Discernment (Ac 15:2, 4, 6, 22-23; 16:4)

d) Spiritual Edification (Ac 20:17-38)

C. Qualifications of Elders

1. Though no qualifications for elders are specifically mentioned in Acts, the fact that there were qualifications for deacons, mandates qualifications for elders. More importantly, Paul’s emphatic qualifications for elders in his epistles reveal their highest priority.

2. These qualifications ought to be characteristic of every believer (especially men) whether they become elders or not.

3. Qualifications in 1Ti 3:1-7

a) 1It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

b) 2An overseer, then, must be above reproach (nothing to hold onto),

c) the husband of one wife (one woman kind of man - marital status & marital characteristic)

d) temperate (sober - spiritually alert)

e) prudent (one’s right mind, spiritual mind, biblical mind)

f) respectable (godly decorum)

g) hospitable (friend of stranger, greet and treat friendly and hospitable)

h) able to teach (capable of teaching Word),

i) not addicted to wine (one who is a friend of the bottle, Aristotle, tipsy, rowdy)

j) pugnacious (striker, brawler)

k) gentle (considerate and meek in dealing with people)

l) peaceable

m) free from the love of money (lover of silver and gold, church not a money making business)

n) He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

o) not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.

p) good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil (i.e. pride).

4. Qualifications in Tit 1:5-9

a) 5For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,

b) above reproach (nothing to accuse of)

c) the husband of one wife (same)

d) having children who believe (believers),

e) not accused of dissipation or rebellion.

f) For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward (honest, integrity)

g) not self-willed (head strong, self-pleasing)

h) not quick-tempered (unbridled temper like an unbridled horse, both are damaging)

i) not addicted to wine (same)

j) not pugnacious (same)

k) not fond of sordid gain (sinful way of getting money)

l) hospitable (same)

m) loving what is good (love of goodness, good deeds)

n) sensible (same as prudent)

o) just (righteous or upright, do the right thing biblically)

p) devout (pious, holy life, holy living)

q) self-controlled (power over one’s passions in all areas)

r) holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict (Doctrinal Competence, able to teach, apt to teach).

II. CHALLENGE TO EPHESIAN ELDERS (18-31)

A. Personal Example (18-19)

1. [18] Paul reminded the elders of his example among them for the duration of three years. The Ephesians themselves (emphatic in Greek) observed how Paul lived and ministered among them.

a) The Greek construction allows for the idea of 1) how Paul “stayed” with them or 2) how Paul “lived (manner)” among them. The latter is most likely the meaning (cf. vs. 19-20; 1Th 2:1, 5, 10-11). However, Paul’s dedication to stay among them and disciple them for three years is impressive. Pastors and elders are to have a faithful and long-term commitment to a local church.

b) Paul was giving the elders an example to follow as well as a personal defense against the many accusations from false teachers (2Co 10:10-12; 11:31; Gal 1:20; 3:1; 5:12; Php 3:2).

2. [19] Paul described how he ministered among them.

a) Serving the Lord - Paul’s ultimate motive for ministering to the Ephesians was that he was first and foremost serving the Lord. The word “serving” comes from the verb doulos, which means a slave or bondservant. The word denotes one who is subservient to, at the disposal of, obedient to, and gives total allegiance to his master (Mt 10:24; Mt 8:9; Lk 16:13).

b) Paul referred to himself in his epistles as a “bondservant” (doulos) of the Lord (Ro 1:1; Php 1:1; Col 4:7; Tit 1:1). The term referred to both character (Gal 1:10) and to a title (Dt 34:5; Jos 24:29) and also applied to the Lord Jesus Christ (Is 53:11; Php 2:7). It was because Paul was the Lord’s bondservant (1Co 7:22) that he became a bondservant of those he ministered to (2Co 4:5).

c) With all Humility - Not only did Paul serve the Ephesians in ministry but he maintained a humble attitude. “Humility” is the Greek word tapeinophrosunê and means lowliness of mind. Paul did not come with arrogance or pride, but with a correct understanding of every man’s status before the Lord, including his own.

d) All men are sinners before the Lord and need the Lord’s salvation. Once a sinner receives salvation, he cannot think that his salvation had anything to do with his own moral status or works. Salvation is exclusively by the grace of God.

e) Even though Paul was called as an apostles, when it came to the conversion of others Paul humbly stated, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1Co 3:6). He exhibited humility in referring to himself as the least of the the apostles (1Co 15:9), least of the saints (Ep 3:8), and foremost of sinners (1Ti 1:15). Paul did not consider himself adequate in himself, but only in God’s adequacy (2Co 3:5). In addition, not only did Paul encourage the faith of others but also he was equally encouraged by the faith and growth of others (Ro 1:12).

f) With Passion - Paul was not only a great intellect, but he was also a man with passion. Numerous times we read that Paul, like our Lord (Lk 19:41; Jn 11:35), was moved to tears. He was most likely moved to tears over the lost, especially his kinsmen, the Jews (Ro 9:2-3). He was moved to tears over struggling Christians (2Co 2:4). He was moved to tears over enemies of the cross and false teachers (Php 3:18; Ac 20:31). Finally, it would be an easy deduction that Paul wept along with the Ephesians at his farewell (Ac 20:37).

g) Tears are not necessarily a sign of unstable and over-emotional person. It often characterizes the godly burden a believer should have for the lost, backslidden, those led astray, and spiritual fellowship.

h) Through Persecution - Will look at this point later.

B. Doctrinal and Practical Teaching (20-21, 25-27)

1. Another way that Paul lived and ministered in Ephesus was through doctrinal and practical teaching. This stemmed from Paul’s biblical exposition of the Scriptures in order to teach anything profitable (anything they should believe and any way they should act).

2. He first stated that he did not “shrink” from teaching anything that was profitable. The same word is used in verse 27. “Shrink” is the Greek word hupostellō and means to draw back. It was a nautical term that referred to drawing back the sails to keep from going full steam ahead. Paul was full steam ahead in his manner of teaching and on the subjects of teaching.

3. Manner of Teaching - Paul was full steam ahead in teaching in the synagogue, teaching in the school of Tyrannus in midday, teaching publicly, and teaching from house to house (Ac 19:8-9). He did this while even maintaining his employment as a tent maker (cf. Ac 20:33-34). The result was that “all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks” (Ac 19:10).

4. Subjects of Teaching - Paul was also full steam ahead on the subjects he taught. They would have been doctrinal and practical. For an example of what Paul had in mind, he explained in vs. 21.

a) Salvation - He “solemnly testified” (diamarturomai - seriously and strongly affirmed the truth, cf. Ac 18:5; Ac 20:24) about the central doctrinal truth of Christianity, i.e. Salvation. The gospel is that man has sinned against God. He must acknowledge his sin and sinfulness and turn away from sin (“repent” cf. 1Th 1:9). He does this by placing his in “faith” the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross for sin and rose again (1Co 15:1-4). When Paul went to Corinth his sole purpose was, “to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1Co 2:2). This central message was for all men (Jews and Gentiles).

b) Practical Truths - When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, much of his letter included practical issues such as division, immorality, marriage, celibacy, eating meat sacrificed to idols, spiritual gifts, and collection for the saints. Paul would have certainly taught on all these subjects in other churches as well.

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516