Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

Relationship of Members and Leaders

What instruction did he give to the members of the church as to their relationship to those thus appointed? BR-ASI9 434.11

“Obey them that have the rule [margin, “guide”] over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief.” Hebrews 13:17. (See 1 Peter 5:5; Mark 10:42-45.) BR-ASI9 434.12

What instruction and caution are given to elders? BR-ASI9 435.1

“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, . . . Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:1-3. BR-ASI9 435.2

Note.—For the qualifications and duties of elders, see 1 Timothy 3:1-3; Titus 1:6-9; Acts 20:28-31; and the scripture just quoted. How God regards rebellion against divinely appointed authority and leadership, is illustrated in the expulsion of Satan and his angels from heaven, and in the fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. (See Revelation 12:7-9; Numbers 16.) The unity and harmony which should exist among believers is described in John 13:34, 35; 17:20-23; and Ephesians 4:1-6. The evil of place seeking in the church is shown in Mark 10:35-45 and Luke 14:7-11; and of ecclesiastical tyranny in Daniel 7:25; 8:24, 25; 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4; and John 16:2. The course to be pursued toward offending members, and in cases where differences arise, is pointed out in Matthew 18:15-18; 5:23, 24; Galatians 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:19, 20; Titus 3:10, 11; 1 Corinthians 5; and Acts 15. And the guide book in all matters of both doctrine and discipline should be the Bible. (Isaiah 8:20; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 4:1, 2.) BR-ASI9 435.3