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PRESBYTERIANISM PRACTISED
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Acts 14:21-25

1 Timothy 5:17-18

 

“Let the elders that rule well
be counted worthy

of double honour…”

 

PRESBYTERIANISM PRACTISED
 
Paul here laid out for us a system of church government. He made appointments for the plurality of elders in every church. This is the biblical administration of the New Testament church. Many churches today depart from the apostolic pattern and adopt the worldly democratic form of congregational church governance, where even immature and undiscerning Christians decide the important church matters. Then, there are dictatorship forms where Popes, bishops and also pastors exercise one-man rule over the church even in handling church finances. Worse still, sometimes the pastor’s wife controls the whole church.
 
Ordained elders: Elders were appointed and installed in every church. “Elders” is in plural form in every church and hence includes both the pastor-teachers and ruling elders. To ordain signifies to decree by lifting up the hands, as they used to do in the assemblies of the people. “Paul and Barnabas do mark that this order was set down by Christ, when they assigned pastors to every church, lest, after their departure, doctrine should cease…” (Calvin).
 
Commending elders: These elders were committed or set before the Lord. Man’s laying on of hands upon the elders has no power to protect them from the power of the enemy. The Lord has to protect and embolden them to do the work that was appointed for them to do. The Apostles knew how they were furiously bombarded by Satan’s forces. Were it not for God who was their refuge and strength they could not have continued their work. Plurality of elders is prescribed in the Bible not only for the proper administration of the church but above all for the proper indoctrination of God’s people. Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.
 
How is your church ruled? Are you governed by the plurality of God’s appointed leaders for good teaching and leading? Let us be mindful of God’s ordained church management so that His body can be properly taken care of.
 
THOUGHT: Am I prayerful and submissive to my church elders?
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for the church elders whom Thou hast placed over us.

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