"Ordain Elders In Every City" -- How Many?
Much has been said, and many articles have been written dealing with the eldership, however it is my firm conviction that we have been overlooking a most important point; namely, how many elders should be ordained in every city? If you will study with me carefully, the Word of God, I believe you will agree that the Bible does tell us the answer to this question First, let us recognize that the Holy Spirit qualifies men to become elders just the same as he qualifies individuals to be Christians. In conformity and obedience to the Holy Spirit, one is made a "new creature," a Christian; so it is, in conformity and obedience to the Holy Spirit, a Christian man is made an elder. And one cannot become an elder in the sight of God until he has conformed unto the Holy Spirit, in meeting all of the requirements set forth by the Holy Spirit as found in First Timothy, chapter three, and in Titus, chapter one. These are clearly stated and easily understood. The qualifications are most important and cannot be overlooked, but we will deal with the number of elders in this article.
I believe every Bible student will agree that the minimum number of elders over any one congregation, must be at least "two or more," since the term is always used in the Bible in the plural number. It is never used in the singular number, such as "the elder of the church." It is always plural (two or more), as in Acts 14:23, "When they had ordained them elders in every church"; Acts 11:30, "And sent it to the elders, — "; 1 Tim. 5:17, "Let the elders that rule well — "; Titus 1:5, "And ordain elders in every city — "; James 5:14, "Let him call for the elders of the church — "; 1 Peter 5:1, "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder — ." Therefore, it is certain that there must be at least two qualified men, who meet the conditions of the Holy Spirit, before the Lord will recognize them as bishops over His church. So, one man (no matter how well he might be qualified) cannot acceptably serve the Lord as the elder over any congregation of the Lord's church.
Now let us observe the Word of God concerning the maximum number of elders to be ordained in any congregation. When we see this point and practice it, we have gone a long way in establishing better harmony and unity in the church, and much strife, church fussing and divisions will be eliminated in the future. 1 Tim. 3:1, "This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." Now please observe that the "office" is not described as an elevated position of authority for one to sit and rule with a high hand, but that it is described as a work, a "good work." I have known of some men who "desired the office" until they recognized that it was a work, and then they ceased to desire the office. Now in light of Romans 12:1; Matt. 6:33; 1 Cor. 3:9, we know that the Lord does not want to limit the amount of "good work" that a man is capable of doing. The lesson of the five talent, the two, and the one talent man, in Matthew, chapter 25, is a solemn warning that the Lord expects each and every man to use the ability which God gave him; so, therefore, we know that God does not want to limit the amount of "good work" that a man is capable of doing.
Turning again to 1 Tim. 3:1, please observe the passage says, "if a man desire the office — ." Notice it says, if a man. What man? A man, any man. Not just three, or five, or seven men, but if any man. "If a man" desires the office and he meets the qualifications; Timothy, you are to ordain him as an elder, along with all others who are qualified. Paul charges Timothy to not show partiality. When four men are qualified, he was instructed to not just pick out two or three from those who are qualified, but to ordain every man Who meets the qualifications. The term, "a man" most certainly reaches out and gets any and every man who meets the qualifications. Paul, further said, "Lay hands suddenly on no man," in other words, be sure he is qualified, then appoint him. "Neither be partaker of other men's sins," in other words, do not commit sin by appointing a man who is not qualified. 1 Tim. 5:22, Paul says to Timothy, do not show partiality, do not prefer one man before another man. "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality." 1 Tim. 5:21. Brethren, notice the solemn charge. Let us observe the command of the Holy Spirit and appoint every man who meets the qualifications.
Now let us read Titus 1:5,6, "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly." We have previously learned that one qualification for one to be an elder is that he be, a man. A woman cannot be an elder. Now please notice verse six of Titus, chapter one. It says "If any be blameless." Any who: "If any man be blameless." What? If any man be — , get it! If any man: any man. Not just a given, predetermined number of men, any man, who is blameless and meets all the qualifications, you are to ordain; Titus, just as I had appointed you to do. Therefore, Titus, you are to ordain any man, every man who meets these qualifications.
Now suppose we have a congregation being served by three elders and another man grows up in the congregation, grows in faith and spiritual wisdom, and he "desires the office of bishop," will he not come under the term "a man"? If not, why not? Does he not come under the term, "If any man be"? Most surely he does. He is "a man" and he is one of the "any."
But, one says, suppose the congregation does not want him to serve? If the congregation is composed of God loving Christians, and he meets all of the qualifications, they will want him to serve, just as surely as the church of the Lord would welcome a "new born child into Christ," for the same God and Holy Spirit creates them both. Brethren, I pray that we will adhere to the teachings of God's Word in this respect, as well as in all other respects, and ordain every man who meets the qualifications, since the maximum number of elders is set forth, as every man who is qualified by the conditions of the Holy Spirit.