That They All May Be One

W. Carl Ketcherside

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     The evangelist began his series of lessons on the eldership by pointing out to the congregation that the God who created the universe is a God of order and arrangement. To maintain order where two or more parts function in relationship, there must be control. God has ordained three organic institutions as a blessing to mankind. These are the family, civil government, and the congregation of the saints. Government is an essential feature of each. In each one there is authority to be respected, and rule to be obeyed, if we merit God's approval. In the home, children must obey their parents (Eph. 6:1). In the political realm we "must be subject, not only for wrath, but for conscience' sake" (Rom. 13:5). In the congregation we are told "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves" (Heb. 13:17)

     God has revealed three great systems of religion, corresponding to the needs of mankind at the time of their revelation. These are the Patriarchal, Mosaic and Christian. In each of these, a proper evaluation has been placed upon the wisdom and experience which comes with age. In every dispensation the rule of elders, or ancients, has been sanctioned as the most appropriate to man in his earthly state.

     The patriarchal age recognized the prerogative of the father as the oldest member of the family, and later of the clan, for every nation was first a family, then a clan or tribe, and finally a nation. Abraham was a patriarch (Heb. 7:4). God said, "He will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord" (Gen. 18:19). Melchizedek was a king and priest among the Jebusites who inhabited Salem.

     But the patriarchal age involved not only the family of Abraham. So the land of Egypt had elders (Gen. 50:7). It was these senators whom Joseph taught wisdom (Psalm 105:22). The word "senator" is from zaqen which means "aged, bearded." It is the word for "elders" in such passages as Exodus 12:21; 17:5; 18:12. Our word "senator" is from the Latin

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senex, meaning "old." The lands of Moab and Midian had elders (Num. 22:7) and so did Gibeon (Josh. 9:11).

     The word patriarch is from a combination of patria, from patro, "father"; and archos, "a leader, chief," from archein, "to lead, rule." More is involved than mere age. Included is a respect for the aged one as a leader, a deference to his judgment and decisions. "In a multitude of counsellors there is safety" (Prov. 24:6). It was a natural step from the leadership of the oldest man in the clan, to that of the aged ones in a body, or presybtery, when the complexities of the social structure increased because of greater numbers. Thus, the children of Israel had elders when residing at Goshen. To these Moses was sent from Midian (Exo. 3:16); they went with him to Pharaoh (3:16); the message of liberation was given to them (4:29); and also instruction relative to the passover (12:21,28).

     In simple primitive times age was probably the only qualification. The import of the word implies as much. But there are varied degrees of experience and competence in any age group, and men of executive ability are required to conduct affairs in any society of diverse temperaments and personalities. This was recognized by Jethro, who suggested to Moses a tribunal of men possessed of four additional qualifications: (1) Ability, (2) Reverence, (3) Integrity, (4) Hatred of covetousness. This was ratified by the Lord (Exo. 18:23).

     During the wilderness journey when Israel became such a burden upon Moses, that he pleaded to die, God proposed the creation of a presbytery of seventy men, whom he would spiritually endow, and of whom he said, "They shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone" (Num. 11:17). These overseers, or superintendents, formed the basis of the Sanhedrin, the future great court of the Jewish nation.

     It has been reasoned that men by necessity would have been forced, in order to protect and perpetuate the social state, to transfer a portion of the right of each individual, to chosen agents, authorized to act in behalf of the group. No organized body can function as a body except through agents. Affairs can best be administered by those who possess the greatest experience. In the simple eras of social development, experience could only come with age, no code of precedents having yet been established. It was fortunate and providential that in such ages men were allowed to attain unto many more years than at present, when such is not essential to administration of government, seeing that we have all the chronicled experience of the past upon which to draw. But there can be no substitute for the sobering influence of age and personal experience.

     God authorized and recognized the responsibility of elders chosen by the body of people, and under the Mosaic economy, these were considered as spokesmen of the assembly (Deut. 5:22-24). When the whole congregation sinned, the congregation was required to offer a young bullock for sin. But "the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the Lord" (Read Lev. 4:13-15). This did not mean that each individual did not have to offer a sacrifice when he was personally guilty of transgression, but in any organized community, the members have both a personal and related responsibility. Each acts personally in matters affecting his person, but in a corporate action, the organization must perform through chosen agents, else there is no organization at all.

     The expression "elders of the congregation" (Lev. 4:5) is the exact equivalent in the Hebrew of the expression "elders of the congregation" (James 5:14) in the Greek. In every age, the wisdom of God has seen fit to endorse a senate or presbytery to lead, guide, feed and superintend his people. This was as true in "the church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38) as in "all the churches of the saints" (1 Cor. 14:32).

     No congregation of disciples has developed to the degree of spiritual maturity which God expects it to attain until of its own number it can select godly, capable,

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qualified men as overseers or superintendents. This does not mean that a congregatlon should place in office incompetent, stupid, inefficient men, just to comply with the form of the law. Nothing is a greater detriment to the cause of the absent King than to place the affairs of his congregations under the control of arrogant, rash, indiscreet or thoughtless men.

     The evangelist urged the brethren who loved the Lord to seek to qualify for the office of bishop. He urged the congregation of saints to encourage, edify and stimulate each other in the Spirit, so that brethren would have the desire to serve in this capacity. At this juncture several hands were raised in question and it was agreed that the next session would be given over to those questions. It will be our privilege to report those questions and the answers of the evangelist in our next issue.