Elders in the Ecclesia
An elder is a shepherd of God?s flock, that is under his care, serving as overseer ? not because he must, but willing. He must be eager to serve and be a good example to the flock. We must clothe ourselves with humility towards one another, as God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. The body is made up of many parts, each part having equal concern for the other parts. There should be no division in the body, as God gives honour to the part lacking it. We are all parts of Christ?s body, despite being given different kinds of gifts. Faith, hope and love must always remain with us, Without love, we can give all we possess to the poor and surrender our body to the flames, but still gain nothing (1 Peter 5:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; 13:3-13).
God?s law must be in our hearts and written on our minds in order to make perfect those who draw near to worship. Therefore, an overseer must be able to teach. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, and draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience. Consider how you can spur one another on towards love and good deeds, and let us not give up meeting together to encourage one another.
In spite of sometimes being publicly exposed to insults and persecution, we must endure suffering and always sympathise with those in prison and joyfully accept the confiscation of our property, because we have better and lasting possessions in God. We are exhorted not to throw away our confidence in God, as it will be richly rewarded. The righteous live by faith, and are not of those who shrink back, turn away from the truth and are destroyed, but believe and are saved. When we persevere doing the work of God, we will receive what he has promised (Hebrews 10).
Jesus reminds us that he is the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep, because when a wolf approaches, he abandons the sheep and runs away, since he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. A good shepherd knows his sheep and equally his sheep know him (John 10:11-15).
The greatest amongst us should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. Amongst our friends, we must be the ones to serve. If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task, as he is entrusted with God?s work. He must be blameless ? not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. He must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. In addition, he must love what is good, upright, holy and disciplined.
Holding firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, enables one to encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. An overseer must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect; otherwise, how can he take care of God?s church, if he does not manage his own family? He must have a good reputation with outsiders and not be a recent convert, otherwise he may fall into disgrace and into the devil?s trap (Luke 22:26-27; Titus1:7-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7).
Stressing trustworthy sayings, enables those who have trusted in God to carefully devote themselves to doing what is good. An overseer must remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceful and considerate, and to show humility towards all men. Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, as they are unprofitable and useless. (Titus 3:1-10).
Acting according to our ability enables us to provide help for brothers who are suffering, regardless of our own shortcomings. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. By carrying each other?s burdens, we are fulfilling the law of Christ. Do not deceive yourself by thinking you are something when you are nothing. Each one must test his own actions, not comparing oneself to somebody else, for each one must carry his own load. Anyone who receives instructions in the word must share all good things with his instructor. We reap what we sow, therefore, let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Acts 11:29, 30; Galatians 1:6-9; 6:1-9).
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two witnesses. If he still refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if he still refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector (Matthew 18: 15-17). Elders in an ecclesia are humble servants of Jesus and God, and therefore must lead by example. They must not aspire to be elders, but the ecclesia must recommend them.
Bro. Lapulani Malata (Kabwe, Zambia)
