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Show WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH By BOB REYNOLDS ELDERS This week, in our study of the organization of the church, we will make a study of elders. In the first century cen-tury each local congregation, that was fully organized, was under the guidance of men known as elders. Sometimes Some-times they were called bishops, overseers or pastors, but all of these terms refer to the same office. In Acts 20:17, we read that Paul "called to him the elders of the church." In speaking of this group Paul declared de-clared that they were "bishops" (American Standard Version) Ver-sion) or "overseers" (King James Version) (Acts 20:28). Men who did this work are also spoken of as pastors (Eph. 4:11). They were elders because they were older, especially in experience; bishops or overseers because they "oversaw" "over-saw" the work of the church; pastors because they shepherded shep-herded the flock. These men, in reference to their office in the church, are always to be in the plurality because the .Scriptures nowhere give us the authority to have only one to a congregation. The qualifications of these men are as follows: (1) "without reproach;" (2) "the husband of one wife;" (3) "temperate;" (4) "sober-minded;" (5) "orderly;" (6) "given "giv-en to hospitality;" (7) "apt to teach;" (8) "no brawler;" (9) "no striker;" (10) "gentle;" (11) "not contentious;" (12 "no lover of money;" (13) "one that ruleth well his nwn house, havintr his children in subjection with all grav ity;" 14) "not a novice;' (15) "have good testimony from them that are without" (1 Tim. 3:2-7); (16) "Having children chil-dren that believe;" (17) "not self-willed;" (18) "not soon angry;" (19) "a lover of good;" (20) "just;" (21) "holy;" (22) "self-controlled;" and (23) "holding to the faithful word" (Titus 1:6-9). Elders "must" have these qualification qualifica-tion v, there are no exceptions. i v., lord's church hsve no illativ authority. auth-ority. Christ alone has legisfative authority in the church. Elders are "congregational" and not "universal" officers for there is no universal organization of the church. Peter limits the sphere of activity of elders when he says to them, "Feed the flock of God which is among you" (1 Pet. 5-2). Paul, likewise, put a limit on their realm of work - when he said to the Ephesian elders, "Take heed ... to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers" (Acts 20:28). The responsibilities of elders are tremendous as they are to watch for the souls of members of the church, "as they that must give account" (Heb. 13:17). SCHEDULE OF SERVICES 10 a. m. Bible Study Sunday 11 a. m. Worship Sermon Subject: "The Prodigal Son" 6:30 p. m. Training Classes 7:30 p. m. Worship Sermon Subject: "The Three Functions of Christ" Wednesday, 7:30 p. m., Bible Study CHURCH OF CHRIST TAKE A NEW E a LOOK AT i m SUNNY BROOK... (gjjgk YOU'LL LIKE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT! -'w- Q) It has the taste of today. ! SUNNY (2) Choice of 2 kinds: smooth, ' brook I BROOK mild Kentucky straight bourbon ! j SSn -smooth, extra mild Kentucky ; S3 i j,. blend. (3) Enjoy it tonight. iHr "7 cj am ma ici.a, logcmii. n. khtku jiuoi irosoi vamf,mm iuwi irdw kotui twx (No wonder they J call Jolly Time j V thetLjEaTinM (yvrpComy flYy If! ALWAYS POPS' i. JrHU CRISP AND t 4 . Corn Carnation, 14 quart Regular $1.29 X NIBLETS 5 cans 89c POWDERED MILK 99c njmiftiiT iiiv il crt. $ nHUiHiii in a. iui uaw Keg. sac eacn ; karosyrup 49. CIRCUS PEANUTS 3forS1.00 ! marshmallows 2 for c TOILET TISSUE 10 rolls $1.00 1 :j i t 1 ""'"'"'"U- Shank lb. 49c I I piUlows Whole ! Z mZM$k) or,,a,f lb-53e "I I $ U. S. No. 1 Morrell'i S fPOATOES 10 lb. bag ZJ5c BACON Va lbs.89c 1 $ 1 $ Seedless Morrell'i All Meat. GRAPES 2 lbs. 27C FRANKS lb-49c; AVOCADOS eachlOe GROUND DEEF 2 lbs. 89e Sweet and JuIcy X I CASADAS lb. 6C I free dishes I 1 $ FREE STAMPS low $ Double Luck FREE PARKING prices I CUT DEANS 6 cans $2.00 t j Mrs. Chessheri xTrVTN A CHICKEN PARTS lb. J9C jlgg)Mt(feffeK I COCONUT pkg. 35c Your Local Home-owned Independent Grocer |