How does Acts 14:23 connect with other scriptures on church leadership? Setting the Scene Acts 14 details Paul and Barnabas finishing their first missionary journey, planting churches in the Galatian cities. Verse 23 records their final, crucial step: establishing local leadership. “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in every church, and with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.” (Acts 14:23) What Stands Out in Acts 14:23 • Plural leadership—“elders” (plural) in “every church” • Spirit-guided selection—“with prayer and fasting” • Divine entrusting—leaders “committed…to the Lord” rather than merely to human oversight Plurality Confirmed in Other Texts • Acts 20:17, 28—Paul summons “the elders of the church” in Ephesus, charging them to “shepherd the church of God.” • Philippians 1:1—Paul greets “all the saints…together with the overseers and deacons,” hinting at multiple overseers in one assembly. • James 5:14—“Let him call the elders of the church” to pray for the sick, again assuming more than one elder per congregation. Together these passages show a New-Testament expectation of shared pastoral oversight rather than a solo leader model. Appointment and Ordination • Titus 1:5—Paul instructs Titus, “appoint elders in every town, as I directed you,” echoing the pattern of Acts 14:23. • 1 Timothy 4:14—Timothy’s ministry gift was “given…through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.” The consistent practice: recognized leaders lay hands on qualified men, in dependence on God’s guidance. Essential Qualifications Acts 14:23 tells us who chose the leaders; 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 describe what kind of men they must be: • Above reproach, faithful in marriage, self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach • Not a lover of money, not violent, managing their households well • Holding “to the faithful word as it has been taught” (Titus 1:9) These standards safeguard both doctrine and daily conduct. Core Responsibilities • Shepherding and guarding—Acts 20:28, “Be shepherds of the church of God…be on guard for all the flock.” • Teaching and equipping—Ephesians 4:11-12 lists “pastors and teachers” given “to equip the saints.” • Willing oversight—1 Peter 5:2-3, “Shepherd God’s flock…not under compulsion…not lording it over those entrusted to you.” • Prayerful care—James 5:14 connects elders with intercessory prayer for the sick. Accountability and Congregational Response • Hebrews 13:17—“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls.” • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13—“Respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord…esteem them very highly in love.” Leadership is mutual: elders serve; the church responds with respect and cooperation. Complementary Servants: Deacons • Acts 6:1-6 introduces spiritually qualified men for practical needs. • 1 Timothy 3:8-13 lists deacon standards, pairing them with overseers. Both offices work together—elders lead and teach; deacons free them to concentrate on prayer and the Word. Takeaways for Today • Local churches thrive when a plurality of biblically qualified elders provides humble, prayerful oversight. • Selection is neither political nor casual but discerned through fasting, prayer, and adherence to scriptural qualifications. • Congregations honor Christ by recognizing, supporting, and following leaders who mirror these apostolic patterns. |
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