A list of Scripture on the topic of elders arranged in an outline, topical order. The Bible shows us the duties, qualifications, and responsibilities of the New Testament office of elders in the Christian churches.

1. Duties of
   1. Equip Christians
      1. Ephesians 4:11-13, “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equip ping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.”
   2. Preach and/or Teaches
      1. 1 Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”
2. Elder
   1. Authority structure based on created order
      1. 1 Timothy 2:12-13, “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.”
   2. Pastor is an elder
      1. 1 Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”
   3. Receive double honor
      1. 1 Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”
3. Office of
   1. Appointed by laying on of hands,
      1. 1 Timothy 4:14, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.”
      2. 2 Timothy 1:6, “And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
4. Qualifications of
   1. Must be a man, above reproach
      1. Titus 1:5-6, ” For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.”
      2. 1 Timothy 3:2, “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money.”
   2. Husband of one wife
      1. Titus 1:5-6, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.”
   3. Household must be in order with children who believe
      1.  Titus 1:6, “namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.
      2. 1 Tim. 3:4, “He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.”
   4. Not a new convert
      1. 1 Tim. 3:6, “and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.”
   5. Self controlled and temperate
      1. Titus 1:7, “For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain.”
   6. Honorable, hospitable, seeking good
      1. Titus 1:7, “For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain.”
   7. Have a good reputation
      1.  1 Tim. 3:7, “For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain.”
   8. Not addicted to wine
      1.  1 Tim. 3:3, “not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money.”
   9. Not greedy
      1.  1 Tim. 3:3, “not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money.”
   10. Able to exhort teach sound doctrine
       1.  Titus 1:9, “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”
       2. ; 1 Tim. 3:2, “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,”
   11. Able to refute false teaching
       1.  Titus 1:9, “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”
   12. They must be ready to earn their own living if necessary
       1.  Acts 20:17,33-35, “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church… 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. 34 “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
5. Responsibilities of
   1. Must shepherd the flock
      1.  1 Peter 5:1-2, “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.”
   2. Must voluntarily exercise oversight upon the flock
      1. 1 Peter 5:1-2, “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.”
   3. Must live as examples to the flock
      1.  1 Peter 5:3, “nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.”
   4. Anoint and pray for the sick
      1.  James 5:14, “Is anyone 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.”
   5. They have the tasks of teaching
      1. 1 Tim. 5:17, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”
      2. Titus 1:5, 9, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you…9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.