THE ELDERS

When you are up late at night and you have pain in your body who do you call? Yes, we know to call on the name of Jesus, because the Name of Jesus has power to deliver divine healing wherever we are. But have you called someone close to you and asked for prayer? Perhaps, you call a friend, mother or maybe an Elder or your Pastor?

In this study we are learning about what an Elder is? Who is considered an Elder? What characteristics should an Elder have? And when should you call on them.

The word “elders” (Greek – presbyteros), of the New Testament church were the “pastors” (Ephesians 4:11), “bishops or overseers” (Acts 20:28), “leaders” and “rulers” (Hebrew 13:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:12) of the flock. Everywhere in the New Testament bishop and presbyter are titles given to one and the same officer of the Christian church. He who is called presbyter or elder on account of his age or gravity is also called bishop or overseer with reference to the duty that lay upon him (Titus 1:5–7; Acts 20:17–28; Philippians 1:1).

However, the word Elder also referred to those holding positions of authority in the community or in a local congregation. As church officers, elders were responsible for pastoral supervision and spiritual leadership.

When referring to the Elders they are considered the mature spiritual leaders of the church. This means when you are seeking healing through the “Prayer of Faith”, you would want to go to a seasoned saint and not a “babe in Christ”. Someone who has a developed prayer life, exemplify Christian characteristics, spiritual maturity and a constant relationship with God. They have proven themselves to have great faith in God.

Just think about it, . . . would you want to have prayer of healing from someone who doesn’t have TOTAL confidence in God?
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t ask someone to pray for you that is not an Elder. The Bible states that in James 5:16 for us pray for one another and that the “prayer of the righteous avail much”. We should hold up our brothers and sisters in prayer daily.

The Elder’s qualifications characterize them as people of personal uprightness and spiritual maturity, having special ability, particularly in the area of discernment. As overseers, they hold positions of authority and presumably are men and women of faith and prayer.

The sick are to call the elders of the church. When a person is so ill that he or she cannot go to church, they want the people with the most faith in the church to come and pray. The elders will act just like the disciples in Mark 6:13 who must have learned it from Jesus, and anoint the sick person with oil as they pray, so their prayer is not only heard, but physically felt.

Anointing with oil does not refer to a medicinal act (see Mark 6:13) or to a magic potion, but is symbolic of the consecration of the sick person and the joyous presence of the Holy Spirit, in this case to bring healing. James stresses God’s healing power through prayer that accompanies the anointing.

The important fact is that the prayer is to the Lord and the anointing is done in the name of the Lord. It is the Lord, not the power of the prayer or the oil, who will raise him up. And that is just how James promises that the Lord will respond to the prayer offered in faith.

NEXT WEEK

We will be learning:

• Does sin cause some sickness?