TITLE:  Authority and Duties of Elders
TEXT:  Hebrews 13:15-17
PROPOSITION:  Elders are responsible for the care of keeping of souls.
QUESTION:  How?
KEY WORD:  Areas
SCRIPTURE READING:  Same

 INTRODUCTION:

1. In every obligation of the Bible there are human judgments to make.
2. Elders have the authority to decide.

 Negative Aspects

1. In matters of Biblical commands, they do not have veto power
   1. Baptism – immersion, believers
   2. Worship – Day of worship, communion, singing
   3. Morals – adultery, homosexuality
2. Lord’s over God’s heritage
   1. 1 Peter 5:3
   2. Elders are not little “popes” or tyrants
3. Above the other elders
   1. No seniority – no elder is above the other elders
   2. No junior partners

 Positive Aspects

1. Oversee the flock – Acts 20:28
2. Take heed to self – Acts 20:28
3. Feed the flock- Acts 20:28
4. Watch for wolves – Acts 20:31
5. Keep watch over the flock day and night – Acts 20:31
6. Watch for souls – Hebrews 13:17
7. Be an example – 1 Peter 5:3
8. Hold fast the Word – Titus 1:9
9. Convict & convince the gainsayers – Titus 1:9
10. Stop the mouths of vain talkers – Titus 1:10-11
11. Pray for and visit the sick – James 5:14
12. Rule or exercise authority
    1. 1 Timothy 5:17 (rule well)
    2. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 (over you)
    3. Romans 12:8 (lead with diligence)
    4. Hebrews 13:7 (have the rule over you)
13. Direct spending of money – Acts 11:27-30
14. Make decisions – Acts 15:6

Two important Greek words – “Submit” (upotasso) and “Authority” (exousia)

1. Civil authority – Romans 13:1 – be subject to the governing authorities
2. Wife to husband – 1 Corinthians 14:34 – they are to be submissive
3. Christ to parents – Luke 2:51 – was subject to them
4. Jews to God – Romans 10:3 – not submitted to the righteousness of God
5. Apostles over devils – Matthew 10:1 – he gave them power over unclean spirits
6. Devils to apostles – Luke 10:17 – even the demons are subject to us
7. It is clear that to be in “subjection” implies the “power / authority” of the one to whom we are to submit.

 Passages that teach Elder authority

 1 Timothy 3:4-5

1. Paul reasons from minor to major
2. If he can’t rule his house (3 people) how can he rule the church (300 people)?

 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

1. Are over you – to rule, to stand over, to watch for
2. Admonish you – encourage, support, correct, lead, direct

 Hebrews 13:17

1. Submit – to yield to authority, to obey
2. Rule – to lead, command, have authority

 Titus 1:7

1. Overseer – Bishop, manager
2. Steward – manage a household, superintendent, manager of a farm or estate