The Church Of God

by Stewart, W. H. | Category: The Church Of God | Dec 1955

Rule in a Church of God in New Testament times was exercised by elders or bishops (overseers). The terms elder and overseer refer to one and the same person; the first refers to his maturity, and the second to his work (Acts 20.17, 28). They were responsible to feed and care for God's people. In their God-given capacity they had to rule over the saints and obedience to them was commanded by God. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account." (Hebrews 13.17). Those who ruled well had to be counted worthy of double honour (1 Timothy 5.17).

These men were known by the church. They did not make themselves overseers by turning up at an elders' meeting. The Holy Spirit made them overseers, and this divine gift was manifested, and by fellow-overseers they were recognized as being of the presbytery or elderhood This was not a nebulous company, saints knew who were to be obeyed In the church in Philippi there were the saints, with the overseers and deacons (Philippians 1.1). Each man had his place and work.

There were elders in every church (Acts 14.28). In the Scriptures we do not read of one man over a church, such as the Minister or the Pastor or the President or the Priest. The elders were responsible to see that God's word was carried out. They did not make laws or frame creeds. They were not to lord it over their charge, but were to be examples to the flock (1 Peter 5.8).

Since the church was called to obey them that had the rule over them, it was necessary that the overseers must first be of one mind. If this oneness of mind could not be reached, then they must seek the aid of their fellow-overseers in other churches; for this principle see Acts 15.1-8.

No matter how many companies of the saints met in different places in a city or a town yet Scripture shows that there was only one church of God in that city or town. Take the Church of God in Jerusalem for instance and note from the numbers that composed it how many meeting places there must have been! Yet it was called the Church which was in Jerusalem (Acts 8.2) and the church of God (Galatians 1. 13).

The elderhood in a province was united, as is evident from Acts 11.29, 30: "And the disciples every man according to his ability, determined to

send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea (a province): which also

they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul."

The church of God in Jerusalem met with great persecution from Saul, and they were scattered abroad throughout the region of Judea and Samaria. But they that were scattered went about preaching the Word, and so the work of the Lord spread throughout Judea and churches were planted. In the province of Judea there was a united elderhood, to which the help from the church in Antioch was sent for the brethren in Judea.

Similarly, the elderhood throughout five provinces was united. In his first epistle, Peter writes to the elect, who were sojourners of the Dispersion throughout the five provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia and he addresses the elders in such as one elderhood. "Tend," he says, "the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according unto God .... Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another" (1 Peter 5. 2, 5).

So throughout the whole Fellowship we can see a united elderhood, and a together people; a holy nation; a people for God's own possession.

"For that the leaders took the lead in Israel, for that the people offered themselves willingly, bless ye the LORD."

In the parable of the kingdom of heaven, concerning the man going into another country, who called together his own servants and delivered unto them his goods; and unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability (Matthew 25.14-30), we can see a divine principle. For in God's dealings with men, the talents are divided differently

"Severally even as He will." He chooses to make some leaders, and He gives them grace to lead. So it was at the beginning of this dispensation among God's together people; there were men reputed to be pillars, and others who are spoken of as being chief men among the brethren (Galatians 2.9; Acts 15.22).

It is the mind of God that those who are leaders amongst God's people should consult together, so that they may be of one mind in the Lord. This truth can be seen in Galatians 2.2, but notice that these leaders acted in a consultative capacity and agreed together as to the doctrine concerning circumcision, yet this matter was discussed at length in open conference (see Acts 15) and oneness of mind was come to by all. We cannot fail to notice how wisely these men were able to help and lead in the discussion; guided by the Holy Spirit the matter was brought to a godly conclusion.

"Every purpose is established by counsel" (Proverbs 20.18).

"Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth" (Proverbs 11. 14).

Stewart, W. H. | Dec 1955
The Church Of God