Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
Where in the Bible are elders according to cities? I see them as being shepherds of the flock. As overseers of the church.
Acts 14:23 reports the appointment of elders in each church, not in each city.
Acts 16:4 makes mention of elders in Jerusalem. But this does not make their position according to the city. It is only their location.
James 5:14 makes reference to calling the elders of the church.
1 Peter 5:1 says "to the elders among you." "You" is the church, not the city. For the most part, the city is heathen.
Only Titus 1:5 makes reference to appointing elders in every town. But given the wording of the other references, this is easily understood as referring to the churches that were in those towns, and not to the towns themselves. The towns probably had elders (according to the local political system(s)). To presume that this one is the key and the others must be re-read to match it would be nothing short of spiritual myopia. You do not read the majority in line with the exception — you read the exception in line with the majority.
So besides Nee's or Lee's extra-biblical edicts, where is this "according to the Bible?"
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OBW,
Thanks for your question.
Let's look at some verses in Philippians.
Phi 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (ASV)
Phi 4:15 And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; (ASV)
To all the saints in Christ Jesus - The common appellation given to the church, denoting that it was holy; (Barnes)
In phi 1:1, the epistle of Paul's recipient is ALL THE SAINT in Philippi. And in Phi 4:15, Paul's words actually equate "you Philippians, which are the saints there" with (the) "church" there. Therefore, the church in Philippi include all the saints in Philippi. It is very obvious that there is only one church in Philippi according to Paul's understanding. Barnes' interpretation is in line with my explanation.
Then, let's look at a verse in Romans.
Rom 1:7 To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (ASV)
To all that be in Rome - That is, to all who bear the Christian name. Perhaps he here included not only the church at Rome, but all who might have been there from abroad. Rome was a place of vast concourse for foreigners; and Paul probably addressed all who happened to be there. (Barnes)
Barnes' interpretation is that ALL THE SAINTS in Rome, whether they be Romans or other ethnic group, are the Church at (or in) Rome.
Now I believe the verses you mentioned can be interpreted as saying
"elders according to cities."
Gubei