If we take isolated Scriptures without comparing all
New Testament passages, we may arrive at the
conclusion that the elder is the primary means God
uses to build our relationship with Christ.
He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as
evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the
equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building
up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the
faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man,
to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of
Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13.
While God no doubt uses men in our lives for His glory
it is crucial we keep in mind who is our Bread of Life
and Teacher. We have a direct relationship with our
Creator with no mediator except Christ Himself. One
of the great mysteries of Scripture, similar to Christ
being both God and man or God’s sovereignty in
salvation while holding man responsible, is the
edification of God’s people in light of their
completeness in Christ.
Certainly just as the body must not take their eyes off
Christ even for an Apollos, so we must not forget that
the hapless, uneducated basket case of a believer in our
assembly (for such were many of us) is a child of the
king and is complete in Christ while we attempt to
love, shepherd and even be edified by that brother.
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This juxtaposition appears in Colossians. While Paul
prayed and taught to present the believer as bearing
fruit and increasing in knowledge he also recognized
the completeness we have in Christ now.
Notice our responsibility in this verse:
We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching
every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every
man complete in Christ. Colossians 1:28.
See God’s completed work in the believer:
In Him you have been made complete, and He is the head
over all rule and authority. Colossians 2:10.
We should never underestimate the Spirit’s work when
He revealed to us the character of Christ. If we do, the
Apostle John offers proofs for us to know whether our
salvation is true by looking at evidence of this
completeness in I John. I John 5:13.
As elders if we don’t recognize a disciple’s
completeness in Christ we may gravitate toward an
improper role of Mr. holy spirit, Jr. in our shepherding
duties. Through regimen or oversight we, like the
Colossians, may coerce the believer to conform
outwardly but that is not the goal. The Pharisees
outwardly were very godly but inwardly they did not
please our Father. Although we rebuke, exhort and
hold each other accountable, this is to hold one another
accountable to what we already desire.
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Completeness, which is the indwelling of the Spirit, is a
different concept than justification, which was
accomplished upon Christ’s crucifixion and
resurrection. Neither is completeness the same as
sanctification, which is considered a progressive
process over time by some but which others interpret
as a setting apart.
Look at Scriptures which describe this completeness. I
will try to not include verses that are addressing our
positional standing before God, often referred to as
justification, but some verses may indicate both
concepts of justification and completeness.
For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon
grace. John 1:16.
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, (complete) have
this attitude... Philippians 3:15.
Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything
pertaining to life and godliness... II Peter 1:3.
And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am
convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled
with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.
Romans 15:14.
So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to
you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life
or death or things present or things to come; all things
belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs
to God. I Corinthians 3:21-23.
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As elders, how dare we put ourselves in a position of
authority over other believers who are complete with
Christ’s indwelling? As believers why would we turn
after experiencing the teaching of the Holy Spirit to any
man no matter how eloquent and mighty his preaching?
To further understand the New Testament role of
elder, in contrast to the Old Testament Levitical
priesthood, let’s remember that since Pentecost the
believer has God’s Law written in his heart.
I am not speaking of God’s law in the general sense as
it was given to all mankind as shown in Romans 2:14-
15, when gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively
the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to
themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in
their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their
thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.
I am speaking of God’s law in the specific sense of his
regenerate children who have the Holy Spirit dwelling
in them, prophecy of which we see fulfilled in Hebrews
10:16, This is the covenant that I will make with them after
those days, says the Lord; I will put my Laws upon their
heart, and on their mind I will write them.
Consider these passages:
...The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,
He will teach you all things... John 14:26.
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But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you
into all the truth... John 16:13.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the
Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things
freely given to us by God...not in words taught by human
wisdom... I Corinthians 2:12-13.
Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for
anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God
to love one another. I Thessalonians 4:9.
...if in anything you have a different attitude, God will
reveal that also to you... Philippians 3:15.
As for you, the anointing which you received from Him
abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you;
but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true
and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in
Him. I John 2:27.
...after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into
their minds, and I will write them on their hearts... And
they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone
his brother... Hebrews 8:10-11.
Consider what I say, for the lord will give you
understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ... II
Timothy 2:7-8.
Even though our Father may have given an elder the
privilege of being used in the edification of many
believers, those same believers would have been
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equally edified if they had been alone on a Pacific
Island without a leader, pastor or mentor teaching or
directing them. This is God’s promise.
Of course this is not to say we, as believers, do not
grow in conformity to Christ. Peter encouraged
holiness in the believer, I Peter 1:14-16, and yet Peter
seemed more concerned the believer might forget than
he was concerned the believer should learn something
new.
For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted,
having forgotten his purification from his former sins. II
Peter 1:9.
When the Corinthians were following men and being
divisive, Paul reminded them, Do you not know that you
are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
I Corinthians 3:16.
When the Colossians were following men and being
defrauded of their prize Paul reminded them, If you
have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things
above. Colossians 3:1.
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