A. Amos Love

Frank

Thanks for taking the time for such a complete rendition of leader/elders.

“Well, Amos, on the basis of all this,
what would you say our proper response to the elders should be?”

Here’s “my” responce “now” to those calling themselves elders today.

Qualifications. Qualifications. Qualifications. Qualifications.
Let me check you out and see if you can live up to the “Qualifications?”
First, are you “Blameless?’ Without fault? Innocent? Unrebukable?
( Frank, please reread comment #29 for blameless.)

Frank, you mention qualifications. I mentioned qualifications.
How important are the qualifications for elder/bishop/leader?

I think you would agree, we are to “know those who labor among us,”
and we are to “test the spirits,” and be “Bereans” and check things out.
The Bible warns us about; false apostles, many false prophets,
false teachers, false Christs, (false anoninted one’s) etc. etc.

I personally have never met anyone who “meets the qualifications”
for an elder/pastor/leader. Have you? I would like to meet them.

If they don’t meet the “qualifications”
then they are a “false” something. Yes?

They “all” are deceiving the people when they assume a place. a “Title”
of “elder/leader” and do not meet the qualifications. Yes?

“Deceiving the people” I think would equate with “practicing heresy.” Yes?

Please reread comments #17 and #20

If “Blameless” doesn’t satisfy some who say we”must” have elders,
then here are a few more qualifications for elder.

The Bible says a bishop, elder, “Must be”…
That’s the same “must be” as; must be born again…

1-blameless — unrebukeable, without fault.
2-husband of one wife — married, male.
3-rules well his own house — have a family, children.
4-not greedy of filthy lucre — Not greedy for money.
5-vigilant — no excessive wine, calm in spirit.
6-sober — of a sound mind, self controlled.
7-of good behavior — modest, unassuming, reserved.
8-no striker — not quarrelsome, contentious.
9-not a brawler — abstaining from fighting.
10-not self willed — not self pleasing, not arrogant.
11-not soon angry — not prone to anger.
12-temperate — having power over, restraining.
13-holy — undefiled by sin, free from wickedness.
14-just — righteous, virtuous, innocent, faultless.

“having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly”

15-faithful — believing, one who trusts in God’s promises.
16-not accused of riot — Strongs – asotia — unsavedness.
17-an abandoned dissolute life, lost to principle.
18-unruly — disobedient.

That’s a very long and a very tough list. Yes?

If someone thinks they qualify?
Is that pride? and thus not without fault?

The Bible talks about elders and qualifications for elders.
Can you have one with out the other?

Frank, do you know anyone who qualifies for “elder/leader?”

Be blessed in your search for truth… Jesus.