Bible Studies
The Work of Elders In Teaching and Protecting the Flock (Acts 20:28-32)
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. The warning is clear. The flock is in danger as the result of “savage wolves.” 2. They will speak perverse things to draw away disciples after them. 3. Overseers must shepherd the flock--being on guard, being alert lest these wolves destroy. 4. Throughout the N.T. there are warnings like this, but it is a special duty of overseers to guard against such wolves. 5. How do they do this? How can they offset the influence of doctrinal infiltration into the flock?Discussion:
I. This is one of the major tasks of overseers.A. It is evident in the qualifications given in Titus 1:9.
1. Those who would be overseers must “hold fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”
2. If the people of God are disciples of Christ (learners and adherents to His teaching) then that teaching is not only important it is critical to who we are. If we abandon that teaching we become disciples of some other than Christ. If we are those whose minds have been renewed by such teaching other teaching will take us back into the world of darkness from which we came.
B. Titus 1:10ff defines the problem and its solution.
1. The problem: rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers (10).
2. The solution: They must be silenced (11).
3. Their motive: sordid gain (11-12).
4. The work of elders is to reprove them severely (13), not paying attention to teachings that turn men from the truth.
5. How do you detect them: their deeds, not merely their profession (16).
C. The rest of the book of Titus addresses things that need to be taught. Indeed it outlines a curriculum for instruction (2:1ff) and demands rejection of the factious and support of those advancing the cause (3:12ff).
II. This same rationale is evident elsewhere.A. It is well illustrated in 1 Tim. 1:3-7, 19-20; 4:1-16.
B. And again in 1 Tim. of the elders (5:17-18).
C. Some things are to be avoided (1 Tim. 6:1-11, 20-21).
D. Therefore it is necessary to remind people, to help keep them on track (2 Tim. 2:14ff).
E. Difficult times will come (2 Tim. 3:1ff).
III. What is one to do?A. Follow the teaching (2 Tim. 3:10-17).
B. Preach the word (2 Tim. 4:1-5).
C. It is evident in the book of Acts that the elders played a significant role in keeping Christians on task in the mission of spreading the kingdom (ex. Acts 15). In Acts 15 they judged a question of teaching determining that what some had taught was invalid. They came to this judgment on the basis of clear statements of Scripture, approved example and what was necessarily implied by God.
D. Elders inhibit false teaching. When it arises they silence it. They protect the congregation’s theological health.
E. Elders work to declare the whole purpose (counsel) of God (Acts 20:27).
Conclusion:
1. Is it any wonder then that one of the major responsibilities of elders is teaching? 2. Is it any wonder why they must be those who “hold fast the faithful word”? 3. They effectively guard the flock among them by holding firmly to the Scriptures.a. Not the flock of God generally, but particularly that among them.
b. Their teaching may have far reaching effect. What the elders at Jerusalem taught was the truth taught throughout the church.
4. They determine what the will of God is on the basis of what is said in Scripture, approved by God and necessarily implied by what God has said or done. 5. Elders must first be students of Scripture and then teachers of the same, basing their judgments on the things revealed by God.
