Their Government

by R.T.H. Horne, Birkenhead | Category: New Testament Churches Of God | May 1967

In former articles in this series we have observed that churches of God in New Testament times were of divine origin, and that they were established by the apostles and others according to a divine pattern. We now desire to observe that there was also divine provision for the care and government of these churches by the appointment of elders or overseers. Under the Old Covenant, the people of Israel had divine government; likewise, the churches of God in New Testament times were governed according to divine appointment.

It is clear from Acts 20.28 that overseers were made by the Holy Spirit and that the same men are described in verse 17 as "the elders of the church". The term "elders" indicates their maturity in spiritual experience, and "overseers" the nature of their service. They were required to be men of exemplary character, as will be seen from 1 Timothy 3.1-7 and Titus 1.6-9. If the overseer was to rule in a church of God, he must first learn to rule himself, to be temperate (sell-controlled), and he must know how to rule his own house. He must not be a novice but a man of some spiritual maturity. He must also have a good reputation outside the church.

The work of overseers was to tend and feed the church of God. They had the responsibility to shepherd the lambs and sheep of the flock (John 21.15-17), to watch over the flock and be an example to it (1 Peter 5.2,3). They were instructed to admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, and be long-suffering towards all; to see that none rendered to anyone evil for evil, but always followed after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all (1 Thessalonians 5.14,15). They were to instruct the saints as to right conduct and, when necessity arose, guide in matters of discipline within the church (2 Thessalonians 3.6-15); they were to rule with diligence (Romans 12.8) and labour in the word and in teaching (1 Timothy 5.17).

It is clear from Acts 14.23, Titus 1.5, and other scriptures, that elders (plural) were appointed in each of the churches. We never read of one elder having sole responsibility in the care of a church. In the New Testament writings there is no such thing as one-man rule in a church of God.

We have already observed that overseers were made by the Holy Spirit. They were not made by men. Others discerned those whom the Holy Spirit had fitted to care for the Lord's people, and pointed them out to the churches concerned.

The conception of government by elders was not new. It was the mode of rule established among God's people in Old Testament times. In Deuteronomy 19.12, 25.7,8, elders are seen in relation to their duties in the city. Then in Deuteronomy 31.28 Moses called for the elders of the tribes to be assembled. These, no doubt, were the aggregate of the elders of the cities within the boundaries of each tribe. The unity of the elderhood throughout the nation is indicated in Exodus 19.7 and Deuteronomy 31.9. In the former scripture, God was setting forth to the people the terms of the covenant, and this was done through the elders of the nation acting as its ears and voice. In the latter passage, the writing of the Law had been completed by Moses and he delivered it to the "priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and unto all the elders of Israel", instructing them that every seven years, at the feast of tabernacles, all the people of Israel were to be assembled and the Law read to them. This was to be the duty of the priests and the united elderhood every seventh year in perpetuity. The elders of Israel were a body who could act on behalf of the nation, and who would be a guide to it. They are seen acting on behalf of all Israel in the matter of making a covenant with David in Hebron and anointing him king over Israel (2 Samuel 5.3).

There was also a selection within the elderhood. When the covenant was enacted which constituted Israel to be God's people, seventy of the elders of Israel were invited to draw near with the priests. These men, according to Numbers 11.16, were known "to be the elders of the people and officers over them", and they were chosen to bear the burden of the people with Moses, that he should not bear it himself alone.

The principle of the united elderhood established in the nation of Israel was carried into the New Testament and is seen in operation in the churches of God in those days. There were elders in every church (Acts 14.23, and elsewhere). Titus was instructed to "appoint elders in every city" (Titus 1.3). We also read of elders in a province; for example, in Acts 11.29,30, the elders in Judaea are mentioned as receiving the gift for the churches in Judaea. Elders in a group of provinces (1 Peter 1.1; 5.1) are counselled as a unit, "tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, hut willingly, according unto God". There were "chief men among the brethren" (Acts 15.22), men of repute (Galatians 2.2,9). Acknowledged leaders among the elders are here seen acting on behalf of their brethren in the discharge of certain responsibilities.

The pattern of government, therefore, in the New Testament churches is seen to correspond closely to that which was in operation among the people of God in Old Testament times. First, there were elders of the local church in the town or city (one church in the town or city, although, maybe, composed of many companies) with their immediate responsibilities, e.g. the matter referred to in Matthew 18.15-17; then the elders of churches in a province acting together; then the elders throughout neighbouring provinces exercising a common care for the flock.

It was the responsibility of the elders under the Old Covenant to read the Law of God to His people. So, also, the apostles were enjoined to teach to the disciples all things whatsoever the Lord commanded them. The elders of Ephesus were commended to God and to the word of His grace (Acts 20.32). Timothy was exhorted, "Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee" (1 Timothy 4.16), and "Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2.15). It was the word of God which bound in unity the people of God, and the elders were responsible to deliver that word to His people. The saints were exhorted to, "Remember them that had the rule over you, which spake unto you the word of God" (Hebrews 13.7). Happy are the people who hear the word of God from spiritually minded elders.

The apostle Peter, when writing to the elders of the five provinces (1 Peter 1.1), exhorted them, "Tend the flock of God neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock". He then adds, "Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5.2-6). Humility of mind was a most necessary quality if overseers were to continue to act together and thus endeavour to maintain the unity among God's people for which the Lord Jesus prayed (John 17.21,23), and for which He was then about to die, "that He might... gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad" (John 11.51,52).

R.T.H. Horne, Birkenhead | May 1967
New Testament Churches Of God