Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Leadership (03/14/05)
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TITLE: Spiritual Leadership in Acts 20:28-31 | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pastor Howard A. Alperin
03/19/05 -
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IN
ACTS 20:28-31
When Paul addressed Timothy on the subject of elders, he concluded with: "...I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God”. This passage sheds light on the question of spiritual leadership. Paul’s concern with Timothy, was to give him clear instructions on the functioning of the church.
Central to the whole matter of discharging duties in the church is the functioning of the elders. This text does not address the broad spectrum of the elder’s work, it does address their qualifications. Paul was concerned to ensure that those who served as elder, pastor, and overseer were qualified.
Paul understood the need for godly leaders. When he came to Ephesus, he stayed for three years, teaching the Word. During this period he appointed elders, and planted a church.
It is important to note the terms Luke uses in recording Paul’s exhortation. In verse 17, he calls this leadership body at Ephesus, "the elders of the church.” Then in verse 28, Paul states that the Lord "has made you overseers, to shepherd the church...."
As a distinction, "elder" points to the character of the man. "Overseer" points to his function as spiritual leader. The use of "pastor" stresses how he ministers.
As long as Paul was among the Ephesians’, he could recognize the attacks of satan. He had the courage to stand against satan’s attacks. But Paul’s presence among the Ephesian believers was coming to a close. So he charges the Ephesian elders to take on the task of guarding the flock. Paul’s concern was not only with the attacks from outside the body but also the deceit from within. "And from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things." These are people whose motives for being in the church are self-centered.
Both assaults upon the body and deceit from within remind us of a special need. The church has always faced grave dangers from deceivers, who would lure people from the fold. Elders must stand in the gap against such threats.
The duties of elders are outlined in simple fashion in the text. The elders are to guard, shepherd and be always be on watch. Elders have an unceasing role, protecting the church from satan’s attempts to destroy it. "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock." The idea of being on guard means that the elders are to "take heed" or "pay attention" to the trends, and to the actions and behavior in the body, so that the church might go forth unhindered. The guarding actually takes on two aspects according to our text.
First, elders must guard their own spiritual lives. They must personally give attention to their walks with Christ. Second, the elder must be on guard for all the flock. He is constantly watching, constantly checking the health of his flock. He must at times reprove those who are in sin. He must admonish those toying with compromise. He must instruct the church how to walk in sound doctrine.
The elder will not always be popular in what he does, but he must be obedient to the Lord. He should discern biblical Christianity and lead the flock to walk without compromise.
Shepherding is spiritual work. Shepherding is hard work. He must maintain a godly example for the rest of the church. He is to be accountable. Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of this when he tells them "to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
Elders are involved in a spiritual warfare. The Word commands the elders to ‘stay awake’ and ‘to be continually watchful’ of those things that would harm the flock. Elders must stay at their posts, constantly watching, being vigilant on behalf of the flock.
I close this study by giving you an important reminder. "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers." Though Paul and his missionary partners obviously selected the elders, the foundation of their authority was that the Holy Spirit had made them elders.
References are taken from the Holy Bible, The New International Version (NIV). International Bible Society.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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