Need some help with Acts 20:28

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I good friend of mine is falling away to an independent christian church. They claim to be totally independent. There leaders are the “elders” I have found their belief statement which I could forward but to keep this short and simple I need help debunking the authority of these elders which they claim to be Acts 20:28. Which is Paul’s letter to the Ephesian Elders…

**Acts 20
**28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.1] Be shepherds of the church of God,2] which he bought with his own blood.

I don’t know the selection process for the elders, but I also don’t know what the term “elder” was used for by the Ephesians.

I want to have all my points ready when he and I have a talk about this and this is the last piece…any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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janman55:
I good friend of mine is falling away to an independent christian church. They claim to be totally independent. There leaders are the “elders” I have found their belief statement which I could forward but to keep this short and simple I need help debunking the authority of these elders which they claim to be Acts 20:28. Which is Paul’s letter to the Ephesian Elders…

**Acts 20
**28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.1] Be shepherds of the church of God,2] which he bought with his own blood.

I don’t know the selection process for the elders, but I also don’t know what the term “elder” was used for by the Ephesians.

I want to have all my points ready when he and I have a talk about this and this is the last piece…any help would be greatly appreciated.
I don’t see how any denomination could use this quote as a basis for its foundation. Let’s bounce a few verses back…
Acts 20:16-17
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus in order not to lose time in the province of Asia, for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if at all possible, for the day of Pentecost. From Miletus he had the presbyters of the church at Ephesus summoned.
Okay, these two verses show that Paul is talking to the presbyters (modern-day priests descended from these biblical presbyters–click here for more information on this and scroll down to the question on presbyters) at Ephesus. In chapters 18 and 19, we see Paul setting up the church at Ephesus.

So, in this context, 20:28 is nothing more than Paul strenghtening the faith of the presbyters that he–by guidance from the Holy Spirit–has chosen to lead the Ephesian church. This is a encapsulated event, and no denomination can draw a line of descendants from it.

Peace and God bless! 🙂

Eric
 
The Greek word, *presbyteros, *translated variously as elder, presbyter or priest, seems to be a general term used to designate an appointed Church leader. The Apostle Peter applies the word to himself in 1 Pet 5:1 and Paul applies the word to those whom he asks Titus to appoint in Crete. An elder is sometimes described by the Greek word, episkope, translated variously as overseer or bishop, as in Acts 20:28,

Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.

The qualifications of an elder are described in 1 Tim 3:1-7, 5:17-22 and Titus 1:5-11.

It should be noted that elders are not self-appointed but rather are appointed through the laying on of hands by those who were elders before them.

Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. (1 Tim 4:13-14)

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed. (Acts 14:23)

This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. (Titus 1:5)

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor participate in another man’s sins; keep yourself pure. (1 Tim 5:22)
 
Thank you for the help…this is what I needed.

Bless you all !
 
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