A Layman’s Look at a Trilogy of Church Related Studies

By Reginald A Kemp Sr

A layman's look at the church and its conformance to the pattern established in Scripture.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798385001019

Reginald A Kemp Sr

Reggie is a native of Vermont, but as a child lived in Pennsylvania and New York. An avid reader, it was not unusual for him to sit up all night during summer vacations reading. The reading habit has continued and after coming to Christ, his focus has shifted to writing. Reggie was raised in a very liturgical church, but came to know Jesus Christ while serving in Japan with the U.S. Air Force. His biblical studies raised many questions concerning the doctrine, teachings and practices of the church of his youth. Much of his writing addresses this disturbing trend in many of the denominational churches. If the church of our day has any expectations of reaching their communities with the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, it must return to the clear teachings of Scripture. The mutant church is not up to the task.

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A LAYMAN’S LOOK

at

ELDERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS

AND DUTIES AS PRESENTED IN

SCRIPTURE AND HOW THEY APPLY

IN THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH

REGINALD A. KEMP, SR.

A LAYMAN’S LOOK BOOKS

DELTONA, FLORIDA

CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1:     Qualifications Of An Elder

Chapter 2:     Duties of an Elder

Chapter 3:     Biblical Eldership versus an Ecclesiastical Order

Chapter 4:     Biblical Support for Ordination

Chapter 5:     Paid Elders

Chapter 6:     New Testament Era Church Pattern versus the 21st Century Church

Chapter 7:     Congregational Form of Church Governance

Chapter 8:     Giftedness Distribution Within or Among Churches

Chapter 9:     Biblical or Will Worship?

Appendix

References

Table 2

A LAYMAN’S LOOK

at

ELDERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS

AND DUTIES AS PRESENTED IN

SCRIPTURE AND HOW THEY APPLY

IN THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH

FOREWORD

It is difficult to say when this study commenced. The first written summary of my convictions regarding elders dates back to 2001. However, as early as 1962 I was convinced that God had decreed leadership of the church to a plurality of elders. In 2004 I made a few notes on a book by Alexander Strauch regarding biblical eldership. In 2009 I was again confronted with the contrast between the biblical teaching on eldership and the dominate model in vogue of clergy leadership and congregational rule. I decided to do a detailed review of Strauch’s book to check my conclusions regarding eldership and to document my review. This was the total intent at the beginning of this study. However, through a series of circumstances and revelations, what started as a simple book review has morphed into a much broader study.

Right up front I need to warn you that a number of my conclusions will be controversial, even radical. If you are comfortable in your local church setting, this study may give you pause but it is my prayer that it will not adversely affect your faith. Here you will find a challenge to nearly every convention of the 21st Century church. Here you will find a considerable number of questions that I am unable to answer. Here you will find what some will call an attempt to destroy the church. Here you will find what some will describe as an attempt to destroy the clergy. Here you will find a challenge to the long held tradition of laity and clergy within the church. Here you will find a questioning of the mega church and the building programs of churches today. Here you will find a startling conclusion regarding the congregational form of church governance. Here you will find a discomfort with the format of our so called worship services. You will find in these pages a questioning of the ordination process and of the professional clergy. Here you will find what some will denounce as heresy unbounded, but heresy unbounded is the very charge I lay at the door of the church as it exists today. In short, there is a lot not to like in this study.

It has taken the church centuries to evolve into the sham it is today. I can only hope it doesn’t take nearly so long to bring it back to its biblical roots. We don’t have the time for such an evolution if we are to be effective in carrying out the great commission. There were 6,812,009,152 people in the world in 2009. Every minute there are 245 births worldwide and 102 people die. Every year there are 129 million births and 53 million deaths. How many of these are going to a Christ-less eternity and how many of the 129 million will never hear of Christ because we are too busy playing church in America? This study is suggesting a radical departure from business as usual, the abandoning of the proven failure of the clerical model of church leadership and a return to the biblical model of a plurality of elders. This study is suggesting a departure from political correctness and the resumption of male responsibility for the governance of the church.

As stated above, this is a study that has evolved far beyond my original intention. Accordingly, it is not a structured study to a preconceived outline. As my study progressed and additional considerations surfaced, I added chapters and tried to accomplish a disciplined study of that consideration. I greatly regret the limits of my personal library and research sources and can easily be faulted for a decidedly unscholarly product.

The ultimate purpose of this study is to declare that a church organized in violation of God’s established pattern cannot hope to succeed in turning the world upside down. Elder leadership of the church is not an optional organizational structure! It is mandatory. When Paul instructed Titus to ordain elders at Crete; it was not a suggestion. It was a command. Further, it was to be done in every city. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:Titus 1:5 One is not at liberty to substitute other organizational structures. Elder leadership is the pattern of Scripture for the church and any other structure is anathema. Modern day church constitutions with elections for leadership positions are a cardinal violation of God’s plan for governance of the church.

I am reminded of Jehovah’s instructions to Moses regarding the Tabernacle, And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.Exodus 25:8,9 There was no option of deviation from the pattern to satisfy one’s personal taste, nor any provision for rearranging the furniture or even changing the color pallet. Certainly, there was no provision for substituting other than the Levites from holding the office of priest. Neither were any other permitted to perform the pattern of the offerings or enter beyond the curtain into the Holy Place. If God was so precise in His instructions concerning the Tabernacle; why do we think He is so cavalier regarding the church, the bride of Christ?

Why are we so prone to substituting deacons for elders? Why are we so determined to choose the clergy over God’s pattern of elders holding the office of bishop and performing the oversight of the church? What in Scripture provides us these options?

It is my strong desire that this study will stir up the hearts and minds of others in the church to join with me to flesh out this study, cleanse it of its dross, provide it with a broader range of research materials and bring clearer, less emotionally involved minds to bear on these subjects.

This is a study to be undertaken by a plurality of God prepared elders to purge it of its errors, but also promote its truths with the goal of returning the church to its biblical foundations. If you are such a man I invite you to contact me and offer your assistance in refining this study.

INTRODUCTION

The word must, Strong’s Number 1163 is applied consistently to the biblical qualifications and duties of elders. The Greek word is dei and denotes that which is necessary, that which is required, a duty, a command. These qualifications and duties are not optional. They are not altered by the passage of time, the cultural structure, or the circumstances of a given congregation.

To help us understand fully the instructions of Scripture regarding the qualifications and obligations of elders, I have included the BDB/Thayers’ definitions using the Strong’s Numbers for each of the relevant Greek words. In addition to the references in the tables below, there are other Scriptures that contribute to the revelation God has provided regarding the duties, responsibilities and qualifications of elders. These will be covered in a summary of the details presented in Table 1 and Table 2.

In his book on Biblical Eldership¹, Alexander Strauch provided a table listing a Comparison of Elder Qualifications. In this table he summarized the texts of the three primary New Testament instructions regarding elders. In my review I found Strauch’s table², Table 1 to be too concise and have developed my own expanded table, Table 2.

TABLE 1

Table 2 is located following the Appendix section of this study.

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CHAPTER 1

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QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ELDER

Table 2 - This table Is provided following the Appendix and presents the primary Scriptures that define the duties and qualification of those who God has chosen to lead His church. Included are the BDB/Thayers’ definitions for each of the principle words. Following is a summary of the content of these Scriptures and other biblical texts that expand on the qualifications and responsibilities of elders:

An elder shall be BLAMELESS – The apostle, Paul uses two Greek words to tell us what this qualification for eldership involves. In 1 Timothy 3:2 he uses the Greek word anepileptos that means literally, that cannot be laid hold of. No charge can be brought against such a man. The word in Titus 1:6 anegkletos means that which cannot be called to account. This equates to a man against whom no charge can be lodged justifiably.

An elder shall be THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE – This qualification of 1 Tim 3:2 and Titus 1:6 limits eldership to the male of the species. When for any reason a church permits female oversight; they violate a principle qualification of the eldership position. 1 Tim 2:11-13 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

An elder shall be VIGILANT – This qualification of 1 Tim 3:2 carries the thought we typically equate with the word sober. The Greek nephaleos denotes sober and temperate. It signifies abstaining from wine entirely or at least from use that would lead to inebriation.

An elder shall be SOBER – 1 Tim 3:2 and Titus 1:8 – This Greek word, sophron signifies being sane, of a sound mind, or in one’s senses. It implies one curbing their desires and impulses, one who is temperate and self-controlled.

An elder shall be a man OF GOOD BEHAVIOR – 1 Tim 3:2 This denotes one who is modest. This word is translated as modest in 1 Tim 2:9 in relationship to a woman’s apparel. The idea may be that an elder should adorn himself in a seemly, modest way, a way that is appropriate to the occasion. This is in contrast to the elaborate or attention-calling costumes adopted by the clergy of some ecclesiastical orders.

An elder shall be GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY – This qualification/duty/responsibility is given in 1 Tim 3:2 and Titus 1:8 (lover of hospitality). Both texts use the Greek word philoxenos denoting generous to guests, being hospitable.

An elder shall be APT TO TEACH – Found in 1 Tim 3:2, we are advised that an elder is to be skilful at teaching the truths of God. Acts 20:28-31 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 - For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 - Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 - Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.. It is the teaching of all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27) that feeds the believers. It is this teaching that prepares the believers to avoid the snares of Satan.

An elder shall NOT BE GIVEN TO WINE – This qualification is presented in multiple ways in 1 Tim 3:2,3. The qualification of VIGILANCE above also signifies a restriction, though not a prohibition, on the use of alcohol. This text in 1 Tim and the same qualification in Titus 1:7 prohibit drunkenness, or a dependence on, or addiction to alcohol. This is a very practical qualification for one who takes the responsibility for the spiritual welfare of other believers.

An elder shall be NO STRIKER – This text in 1 Tim 3:3 and Titus 1:7 prohibits one who is contentious, quarrelsome or pugnacious from serving as an elder. It has wisely been said that where any two Baptist discuss any single doctrine they will come to three conclusions. This is not a denominational aberration, but a human condition, even among born again believers. A contentious man would too easily be drawn into the resultant conflicts and would not serve well as a peacemaker, instructor, or encourager.

An elder shall NOT BE GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE – This qualification is found in all three of the primary texts on the qualifications of elders. The 1 Tim and Titus passages use the same Greek word while 1 Peter uses a derivative of the same word. This denotes an eagerness for monetary gain. One who is motivated by what he can gain monetarily for his efforts is unlikely to provide the selfless service demanded of the elder position.

An elder shall be PATIENT – As a qualification for elders, this qualification is found only in 1 Tim. This Greek word, epieikes speaks of being gentle, fair, mild,