p. 9 | DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, June 24, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 56, No. 1

DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS.

By A. S. Hutchins

BY ELD. A. S. HUTCHINS.

In Paul's first letter to Timothy, are mentioned sixteen qualifications which a bishop should possess. In writing to Titus, he says, “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every church.” Then, in substance, he mentions the qualifications of a bishop, the same as when he wrote to Timothy.

That the office and duties of bishops and elders at this time were the same, is manifest from this scripture, as may be seen also by comparing Acts 20:17, 28. They were overseers of the church of God. To the elders of the church of Ephesus, Paul said: “Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God.”

This man of God saw the dangers lying before the church, hence the solemn admonition to its overseers: 1. To take heed unto themselves, and 2. Unto all the flock, to feed the church of God.

Without organization there can be no order in the church, nor can there be systematic labor. “Good order is the foundation of all good things.” As with every other organized body, the church must have her officers. These are to vindicate her honor, uphold and promote her interests. The sentiment of the heart of those called to positions thus responsible and dignified, should be, with respect to the church of God, as was that of the psalmist to Jerusalem: “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.” Ps. 137:5, 6.

Peter joins in the solemn admonition to the elders: “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage; but being ensamples to the flock,” and adds a promise to such, of transcendent value: “And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

O ye heavenly-minded, cross-bearing, self-denying men, laboring to build up the church, feeding the flock, take courage, toil on, and be not weary in well-doing; the glittering crown, “a crown of glory that fadeth not away,” will be yours.

But Peter speaks to the church also: “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder, yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be ye clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” Here, as elsewhere in the word of God, humility stands as the opposite of pride. The former, God approves, and it is consonant to the Scripture: the latter he resisteth, and it is inharmonious with the religion of the Bible. “Before honor is humility.” Prov. 15:33. “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18. Pride manifests itself in inordinate and unreasonable self-esteem. Humility consists in lowliness of mind, a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to divine will.

“And be ye clothed with humility.” This exhortation comes home to all. My dear brethren, we must heed it. Insidiously the devil watches the remnant church, enticing her to apostasy, pride, and rebellion. Others have fallen before us. “Be not high-minded, but fear.” “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.”

We need a revival of the work of God in our hearts and in the church. Overseers of the church need the especial help and presence of the Lord; and he has been very definite in marking out and enjoining the qualifications of these officers.

In the golden chain of attainments uniting the faithful elder to the great Head of the church, and to the people, are the following links: “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God; not self-willed; not soon angry.” Webster defines blameless: “without fault, innocent, guiltless; not meriting censure.” Self-willed: “governed by one's own will; not yielding to the will or wishes of others; not accommodating or compliant; obstinate.” “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainsayers.” Like the clear silvery streams of the fountain, his influence extends beyond the church. A blameless man holding fast to the faithful word, bearing sound doctrine, must and will have an influence. “For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”

The earth is yet to be lighted with the glory and power of the last message. Oh! who will stand the purifying, testing process of making ready a people for the coming of the Lord? Who will have a place in the church when she “looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.”