Qualifications Of Elders

Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. — read the full passage →

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; — read the full passage →

Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.

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; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.

The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;

The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: — read the full passage →

if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.

But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; — read the full passage →

And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. — read the full passage →

The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: — read the full passage →

For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.

And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; — read the full passage →

Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. — read the full passage →

not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, — read the full passage →

Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; — read the full passage →

But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;

neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.

And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled;

Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. — read the full passage →

if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. — read the full passage →

in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, — read the full passage →

And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.

Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith.

Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

(but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

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

Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; — read the full passage →

Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. — read the full passage →

Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John; — read the full passage →

Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience:

And as they went on their way through the cities, they delivered them the decrees to keep which had been ordained of the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem.

And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.

Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.

The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: — read the full passage →

The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. — read the full passage →

I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreæ:

But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.

Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. — read the full passage →

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; — read the full passage →

And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:

but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses.

The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; — read the full passage →

holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers. — read the full passage →

having a wall great and high; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: — read the full passage →

And the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God that sitteth on the throne, saying, Amen; Hallelujah.

the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying, — read the full passage →

And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones: and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and on their heads crowns of gold.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.

Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. — read the full passage →

But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word.

Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: — read the full passage →

holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service;

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.

Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, hath appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:

For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. — read the full passage →

Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. — read the full passage →

Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men:

But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry.

I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:

well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.

Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.

These things command and teach.

Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation.

As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine,

Be not manyof youteachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.

And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, — read the full passage →

For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; — read the full passage →

But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. — read the full passage →

Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. — read the full passage →

I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreæ: — read the full passage →