Eldership

[Peter Debelak]

Originally Posted by YP0534

Peter:

Can you please provide a good citation or citations you may have as to the latter view?

Well, I...uh...well, this is just my speculation and I have not seen it seriously posited elsewhere.

It comes from my study of the Greek word "presbuteros" and its use in the NT.

Presbuteros is used nearly 70 times in the New Testament. Of that number, almost half are clearly referring to leaders within the Jewish community. In the Jewish society of Christ’s time presbuteros was used to refer to the respected leaders of the community, the synagogues and the Jewish Sanhedrin. Such common phrases as "traditions of the elders," "elders of the people," "priests, scribes, and elders," "elders of Israel," are such examples.

It seems to me to be pretty self-evident from the Word that "eldership" was part of the Jewish tradition, even if not official offices in the synagogue.

I don't think that my hypothesis has to be right, it only has to be possible - for, as such, then it would be impossible to say that "eldership" is prescribed.

I'll post more soon, I just wanted to follow up with this quick note...

Peter

P.S. aron, I do like the flock analogy and have some further thoughts on it, but not much time now to post. Grace to you!