Elders

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“I warn and counsel the elders among you (the pastors and spiritual guides of the church) as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a sharer in the glory (the honor and splendor) that is to be revealed (disclosed, unfolded):” 1 Peter 4v19 (AMP)

In this verse, Paul begins to address a specific group of people within the church – the elders. They could be seen as the pastors and spiritual guides of the church. Through Scripture, we find that elders have an important role to play among God’s people. They have a role of responsibility, decision-making, and accountability to play, which is not to be taken lightly. For instance, when Moses was called to lead the people of Israel by God, he was told to “Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: …And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.” (Exodus 3v16, 18, KJV). It was thus to the elders he first went. When there was sin among the people of Israel, because Achan took an accursed thing from Jericho, and the children of Israel could not stand before Ai, Joshua 7v6 (NIV) says “Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads.” The elders thus joined Joshua in humbling themselves before the Lord. The text below however shows elders conniving with the chief priests. What kind of elder are you?

Supplementary Text

“While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ Matthew 28v11-13 (NIV)

Prayer

Heavenly Father we thank You so much for Your Word. Father, we commit our elders and pastors and spiritual leaders into Your hands. We pray they will follow You and live godly lives in Jesus name, amen. Please grant them wisdom in leading the Church in Jesus name, amen.