Do Elders Rule?
If elders presume to RULE in a command sense then they pretend to be superior to Christ or to the apostles. The church is not an organization but an organism. Therefore, it has only one head and that is Jesus. Elders become undershepherds only when they walk in the steps of Jesus to feed the lambs with exactly "that which has been written."Elders or preachers (who have no local authority) who claim to have command authority to even change the Word of God in order to ordain deaconesses under the sham label of "special servants" has gone beyond the Christian principle.
Church is synagogue and there simply is no opportunity to rule in a command sense to mean "you must obey the elders even if they lead you into error."
Rather, church is synagogue of Christ and its only teaching resource is the Christian document. Elders "rule" by teaching the word and setting a pattern just as a father rules by stepping on the solid clumps in quicksand. A son "obeys" the father by stepping in his steps and you know that you will quake and shake but you can puddle jump to safety.
Because church has no official buildings or grounds or Babylonian type pyramidal ministery system the elders have no authority to sub-contract to either male or female.
Because the church allows no office called "preacher" he can huff and puff about not obeying "God's anointed" but he will just make himself a laughingstock and an approved pattern of arrogant pride.
Elders Rule like the The Ruler of the Synagogue
The church is much like the synagogue: the ruler of the synagogue was not the ruler of every aspect of an attender's personal life. He did not establish programs to occupy the waking hours of the people and legally he did not take up collections.
But be not ye called Rabbi (Master Teacher): for one is your Master (Kathegetis), even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Matthew 23:8
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Matthew 23:9
Neither be ye called masters (Kathegetis) for one is your Master, even Christ (The anointed one). Matthew 23:10
Kathegetis ((g2519) kath-ayg-ay-tace'; from a comp. of 2596 and 2233; a guide, i.e. (fig.) a teacher: - master.
Connecting the word "master" to ruler (g2233) it is clear that even the apostles ruled by showing the wide, being a guide or teaching.
Trying to fool the fools and appoint Special Servants in place of deacons
Elders Rule in accordance with the teaching of Jesus even for apostles:
And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. Luke 22:24
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. Luke 22:25
But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. Luke 22:26
An elder has not authority for COMMAND AUTHORITY. He exercises "rulership" only be serving and teaching so that others want to walk in his steps:
Egeomai (g2233) hayg-eh'-om-ahee; mid. of a (presumed) strengthened form of 71; to lead, i.e. command (with official authority); fig. to deem, i.e. consider: - account, (be) chief, count, esteem, governor, judge, have the rule over, suppose, think.
The word SPECIAL is the feminine form of:
Egemoneuo (h2230) hayg-em-on-yoo'-o; from 2232; to act as ruler: - be governor.
Egeomai (g2233) hayg-eh'-om-ahee; mid. of a (presumed) strengthened form of 71; to lead, i.e. command (with official authority); fig. to deem, i.e. consider: - account, (be) chief, count, esteem, governor, judge, have the rule over, suppose, think.
The ruler of the synagogue is modeled by Jesus and by the leaders of the synagogue: whey you are not "synagoguing" there is no rulers and no ruled
And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Acts 13:15
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.Ac.18:8
Archisunagogos (g752) ar-khee-soon-ag'-o-gos; from 746 and 4864; director of the synagogue services: - (chief) ruler of the synagogue.
Arch means the beginning time or place or chief. It is from:
Archomai (g756) ar'-khom-ahee; mid. of 757 (through the impl. of precedence); to commence (in order of time): - (rehearse from the) begin (-ning).
Sunagoge (g4864) soon-ag-o-gay'; from (the redupl. form of) 4863; an assemblage of persons; spec. a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by anal. a Christian church: - assembly, congregation, synagogue.
In the case of Jesus:
And when the sabbath day was come, he began (g756) to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Mark 6:2
Jesus didn't preach "just Jesus" but endoctrinated or "didasko" from the Word. However, Jesus began to teach and therefore was the "ruler" of the synagogue.
Therefore, if an elder wants to "rule" then he assumes more authority than even Jesus assumed. He qualified as SON because He spoke what He heard from the FATHER. A "ruler" of the church of synagogue who does any less is not a son of the Father.
Elders cannot rule through a surrogate preacher
Here is how you preach in the synagogue
For Moses of old time hath in every city them
that preach him,
being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. Ac.15:21
Till I come, give attendance to (public) reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1 Tim 4:13
Here is how the Elders Rule
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1 Tim 5:17
First, an elder is not a "younger." The only way to become an elder at one level is to live and experience and grow. Only then are you competent to "stand over" a flock like a shepherd to watch for wolves.
Proistemi (g4291) pro-is'-tay-mee; from 4253 and 2476; to stand before, i.e. (in rank) to preside, or (by impl.) to practise: - maintain, be over, rule.
The Elder Rules like a man rules his household: he maintains, supports and makes sure that the wolves do not move in to eat his children and sleep with his wife:
This is a faithful saying. and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Tit.3:8
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. Tit.3:14
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are
- Rule: over you in the Lord,
- How: and admonish you; 1Th.5:12
How could such an elder rejoice when his noisey children decide to leave?
The Elder Rules when the Elder SERVEs. Like most of Christianity, the rules of the carnal world are turned on their ears.
Kopiao (g2872) kop-ee-ah'-o; from a der. of 2873; to feel fatigue; by impl. to work hard: - (bestow) labour, toil, be wearied.
Kopos (g2873) kop'-os; from 2875; a cut, i.e. (by anal.) toil (as reducing the strength), lit. or fig.; by impl. pains: - labour, / trouble, weariness.
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 1Th.2:9
Neither did we eat any mans bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 2Th.3:8
Again, look at what Timothy was to do:
Till I come, give attendance to (public) reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1 Tim 4:13
Histemi (g2476) his'-tay-mee; a prol. form of a prim. stao +tx stah'- o (of the same mean., and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (trans. or intrans.), used in various applications (lit. or fig.): - abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Comp. 5087
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ep.6:11
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2Ti.2:19
Remember your leaders (g2233), who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Heb.13:7NIV
Remember them
- which have the rule over you,
- who have spoken unto you the word of God:
- whose faith follow,
- considering the end of their conversation. Heb 13:7
The elder (aged) is not likely to be carried away by the fads of the time of by practices which appeal to the flesh.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Heb 13:8
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines: For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Heb 13:9
The warning particularly applies today where the younger want to return to legalistic rituals and the "burning music" of the sacrificial system. However, the Christian has moved beyond so that:
We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. Heb 13: 10
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Heb 13: 11
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Heb 13: 12
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. Heb 13: 13
If the self-selected or peer-selected elder wants to lead you into being a respectable pillar of society then he is not a spiritual leader because true Christinity calls forth reproach from the watching masses.
If the leader or ruler tries to get you to give maga bucks to build a mega temple or city with all of the Seeker Sucking system then you should not follow them to do evil.
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Heb 13:14
Since there is not temple (mega church) with an altar then we CANNOT offer material things including money:
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. Heb 13:15
And remember not to let your "rulers" get into that old "money from your hand after which you have no say over how WE decide to spend it." Jesus said let the alms go from your hand to the hand of the poor. Paul agreed and took up a one time offering and made sure that it went from the hands of the Corinthians to the hands of the elders for the poor.
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Heb 13:16
You will notice that the monetary fellowship is not directed from the "ruled" to the "rulers." Rather, Jesus absolutely commanded that we give our alms in private.
Koinoia (g2841) koy-nohn-ee'-ah; from 2844; partnership, i.e. (lit.) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: - (to) communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-) distribution, fellowship.
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Ph.1:5
However, we owe double respect to those who labor and weep day and night for us.
Obey them that have the rule (g2233) over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Heb 13:17
The weaker is to retire from battle and let himself be convinced by the older and wiser:
Obey is the Greek:
Peitho (g3982) pi'-tho; a prim. verb; to convince (by argument, true or false); by anal. to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflex. or pass. to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty): - agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be (wax) confient, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield.
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. Mt.27:20
Submit means that we should yield to the teaching or persuasion of the elders. Outside of "that which has been taught" the elders have nothing with which to persuade or rule.
The elders are the watchmen on the walls and awake:
Agrupneo (g69) ag-roop-neh'-o; ultimately from 1 (as neg. particle) and 5258; to be sleepless, i.e. keep awake: - watch.
Why should be relax in the face of these men? Because "they stay awake." The loose sleep over you. They work day and night to support you but not to rule or dominate you.
We noted above that we have the authority of Jesus not to usurp but earn authority:
But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief (ruler), as he that doth serve. Luke 22:26
When the elder is not serving then he cannot be ruling because Jesus has defined g2233 to exclude command rulership.
But what if the watchman on the walls wants to come down and engage the Sister Singers in an "organic" band or a trumpet quartet? Then do not submit to them because they are asleeep at the throttle and, by definition, are not watchmen when they quit watching whatever hands have been laid on their heads.
The guide into grizzly bear country or a mine field rules by stepping in the right places. You obey him by stepping in his steps and watching "for the outcome of his life." If he gets his head bitten off or his foot blown off, DON'T obey him!
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are
- Rule: over you in the Lord,
- How: and admonish you; 1Th.5:12
And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thes 5:13
When a man "goes professional" he loses the moral high ground of the evangelist. Another "obey" passage does not apply to the flock at all but to the evangelists who wander in but will not work for their bread. Whatever legal right, the Christian system causes Paul to outlaw the professionals:
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 2 Thess 3: 14
Now, lets just read the first part of the story:
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves
from every brother that walketh disorderly,
and not after the tradition which he received of us. 2 Thess 3:6
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us:
for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 2 Thess 3: 7
Neither did we eat any mans bread for nought;
but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable ($$ wise) to any of you: 2 Thess 3: 8
Kopos (g2873) kop'-os; from 2875; a cut, i.e. (by anal.) toil (as reducing the strength), lit. or fig.; by impl. pains: - labour, / trouble, weariness.
Mochthos (g3449) mokh'-thos; from the base of 3425; toil, i.e. (by impl.) sadness: - painfulness, travail.
Now, behold the pattern: thou shalt not be a mercinary evangelist but thou must be a vocational minister or thou wilt assuredly discredit anything you say by what you do:
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample (tupos or pattern) unto you to follow us. 2 Thess 3: 9
For even when we were with you,
this we commanded you, that
if any would not work,
neither should he eat. 2 Thess 3: 10
That does not mean "the civilians" who would never talk anyone into supporting them. Rather, it means the preachers:
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 2 Thess 3: 11
That means to bustle about from seminar to seminar from workshop to workshop eating but not working trying to "steal prophecies from one another." Or, how to best sow discord.
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 2 Thess 3: 12
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 2 Thess 3: 13
If these men are still walking among you then MARK them and disfellowship them:
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 2 Thess 3: 14
Why was this important? Because Christianity is not a command leadership corporation but a one another ministry:
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Eph 5:21
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 1 Co 16:15
If the elders presumes to RULE then he cannot just "mark through" Pauls' discussion of the deacon and appoint deaconesses:
That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. 1Co.16:16
Hupotasso (g5293) hoop-ot-as'-so; from 5259 and 5021; to subordinate; reflex. to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 1Co.14:34
In no sense can a "younger" get himself "elected" and thereby become an "elder." He might as well try to get himself elected beauty queen:
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.
Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility:
for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1Pe.5:5
Normally located evangelists and elders demand the right to rule when they lust to do something contrary to the Word of God, common sense and which sows discord like hireling shepherds are wont to do as they EAT THE LAMBS.