SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

There are some qualifications that are only required of elders. Other Christians might have these qualifications but it is not mandatory in order to be a Christian, even though it is mandatory in being an elder.

1. MUST NOT BE A NOVICE: Not a new convert, lest he become proud and self-important and fall into the traps that the devil lays for men. No doubt a new convert will not be sufficiently taught in the scriptures; and neither will he have the experience in handling matters pertaining to the church. He is not yet ready for leadership, as an elder.

2. HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE: A married man not living in an adulterous union. Not "if" he has a wife, but he MUST be the husband of one wife. No where do the scriptures teach that there is more holiness in the unmarried state than in the married. Having one wife, as opposed to polygamy.. Many questions might arise about this qualification, such as: "If this man's wife has died and he has married again, can he be an elder?" If this man's wife has died and he has married again, he has committed no wrong, he is still the husband of one wife. "Well, what if a man has put away his wife for fornication and has married the second time?" Such man is within scriptural bounds and has the right to marry again, and is still the husband of one wife. If he didn't have just one wife, he would be a polygamist or living in adultery. But the Lord says he would not be an adulterer and that he would be free from his first wife. [The last point needs to be considered with regard to any questions that might arise about his first marriage and the cause of the adultery, etc. Even though such is allowed by the Lord and such can be scripturally right ]

3. RULING WELL HIS OWN HOUSE: Having his children under subjection. The qualities it takes to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and to make them into fine, upright Christians; are the same qualities needed in taking care of the children of God. A man's family sees and knows him better than anyone else. Therefore, they are either a bad or a good recommendation of his character. Cornelius feared God with all his house, Acts 10:2. His family respected him and followed his example in wanting to do right. Men, therefore, must first prove themselves in their own homes so as to qualify as overseers in God's family, the church. God said of Abraham: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." Gen. 18:19.

4. HAVING CHILDREN THAT BELIEVE: That are Christians, 1 Cor. 9:5. 1 Cor. 7:15, shows contrast between a believer being a Christian and an unbeliever not being a Christian. With regard to a plurality of children, some say that one believing child is sufficient. They argue that if children here means more than one, then where children are told to obey their parents, if there was only one child, that child would not have to obey because the command said children. Also, if someone is asked; "Do you have children?" the one asked would say yes even though he had only one child. But have we ever stopped to think that this same thing could be said with regard to elders. Take the question; "Are there any elders in the house?" If one elder was in the house, he would answer. But does this mean that one elder would be enough to have in a congregation? Notice: "Ordain elders in every church", "Must have believing children". Also, two or more children as members of the church, show that the man knows the word of God and is able to lead people, not just one person, to obey it. You that have more than one child in your home recognize the difficulty in dealing with two or more different personalities and causing them to work together for their own good. The church is not just one person but is made up of two or more differing personalities that must be dealt with in keeping harmony, etc. A man's own household many times is the hardest to reach with the gospel. In all these matters, there is a course to follow that no one can question. If a man has two or more believing children, there are no questions asked by anyone on this subject as far as that elder goes.

5. MUST DESIRE THE OFFICE: Seek after the work. Stretch forward to obtain it. The eldership is a prepared work for a prepared man. No man is going to put forth effort to qualify himself for the eldership if he does not desire the work that goes with such office. We realize that there are certain people that have no right to desire the office; such as women, etc.

[This concludes the qualifications of elders. Next, we will look as some different aspects of the eldership such as; how appointed, and their work ]

Review The Positive and Negative Qualifications

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