32 Bible Verses about elders, in the church
Most Relevant Verses
and being arrived at Jerusalem, they were receiv'd by the church, by the apostles, and presbyters, to whom they related all that God had done by them.
and sent it by the hands of Saul and Barnabas to the presbyters at Jerusalem.
upon which Paul and Barnabas having warmly contested the point with them, it was resolved, that Paul and Barnabas and some others should go to Jerusalem to consult the apostles upon this question.
as they pass'd through the cities, they recommended it to the faithful to observe the decisions, made by the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem.
be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.
At Miletus he sent a message to the pastors of the church at Ephesus, to come to him:
to chuse such as are without reproach, married to but one wife, whose children are obedient, not accused of debauchery, nor unruly. for a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not morose, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not desirous of unlawful gain.
and after they had by prayers and fastings establish'd Pastors for them in every church, they recommended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
I left you in Crete, to regulate what was amiss, and to ordain pastors in every city, as I had appointed you,
to chuse such as are without reproach, married to but one wife, whose children are obedient, not accused of debauchery, nor unruly. for a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not morose, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not desirous of unlawful gain. but a lover of hospitality, humane, prudent, just, holy, temperate;read more.
attach'd to the truth, that has been taught him, that he may be able to teach others sound doctrine, and to convince those who oppose it.
He that aspires to be a bishop, desires an office that is honourable. a bishop therefore ought to be of an unspotted character, to have but one wife, to be sober, prudent, grave, hospitable, and qualified for teaching: not given to wine or violence, but of a gentle temper, averse to contention and avarice: a master of economy,read more.
obliging his children to behave with decorum. for if a man is incapable of governing his own family, how can he take care of the church of God? nor must he be a new convert; for fear he should be elated with pride, and so involve himself in the same ruin as the devil. besides, he ought to stand fair in the opinion of unbelievers, lest he fall into disgrace, and the ambushes of the accuser.
Let the presbyters that govern well receive a double salary, especially those who are employ'd in preaching and instructing.
for if a man is incapable of governing his own family, how can he take care of the church of God?
a bishop therefore ought to be of an unspotted character, to have but one wife, to be sober, prudent, grave, hospitable, and qualified for teaching:
be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. for I know when I am gone, you will be oppress'd by wolves, that will not spare the flock. nay, among your own body some will start up to vent their intricate conceits, and draw a number of followers.read more.
be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears.
attach'd to the truth, that has been taught him, that he may be able to teach others sound doctrine, and to convince those who oppose it.
I address myself to you pastors, as being a pastor myself, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to partake of the glory, that shall hereafter be made manifest; to exhort you to feed the flock of God, which is among you: to take care of it, voluntarily, without reluctance, not from any view to sordid gain, but out of real affection; not to domineer over the laity, but to be examples for their imitation;read more.
that when the sovereign pastor shall appear, you may carry off a glorious crown, that will never fade.
Is any of you sick? let him send for the pastors of the church, to pray for him, and after giving him the unction, in the name of the Lord,
Let the presbyters that govern well receive a double salary, especially those who are employ'd in preaching and instructing. for the scripture says, "thou shalt not muzzle the ox, when he treads the corn." and, "the labourer is worthy of his reward." don't receive any accusation against a pastor, but upon the deposition of two or three witnesses.read more.
Those that transgress reprove in publick, to strike a terror in the rest.
Confide in your guides, and be respectful: that they who are vigilant, as being accountable for your souls, may discharge themselves with cheerfulness, and not with anxiety, which would be to your prejudice.
We entreat you, brethren, to respect those, who labour in the ministry, who by divine appointment preside over you, and instruct you.
Remember those who have the rule over you, who have preach'd to you the word of God: imitate their faith; consider their conduct, and the exit they made.
round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty Elders sitting, cloathed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
her walls were large and high; the gates were twelve; and at the gates twelve angels, with the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel inscrib'd thereon. on the east were three gates; on the north, three gates; on the south, three gates; and three gates on the west. the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb.
and one of the elders said to me, weep not: behold, the lion of the tribe of Juda, the offspring of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and saw before the throne, in the midst of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders, a lamb which seem'd to have been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
then the four and twenty elders, who sat before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
and a new song was sung before the throne, and before the four animals, and the elders: and no one could learn that song, but the hundred forty four thousand, who were ransom'd from the earth.
four and twenty elders fell down before him that sat on the throne, and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: for thou hast created all things, by thy WILL they subsist, and were created."
when he had taken the book, the four animals, and the four and twenty elders fell down before the lamb, every one of them having harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints. and they sung a new song, saying, "thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every tribe, and language, and people, and nation; and hast made us kings and priests unto our God: and we shall reign on the earth."read more.
Then in my vision I heard the voice of many angels which surrounded the throne, the animals, and the elders: to the number of ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, "worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." and every creature which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I, saying, "blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the lamb for ever and ever." and the four animals said, amen. and the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
and all the angels who stood round about the throne, and about the elders, and the four animals fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, amen: praise, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might be to our God for ever and ever. amen. Then one of the elders spake, and said to me, who are those that are arrayed in white robes? and whence do they come?
Then the four and twenty elders, and the four animals fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, "amen; alleluia."
