Elderhood 101

Understanding the Leadership institution of the Church and the Assembly

The Leadership Institution

The first Christian leaders popularly recognized by titles were the direct disciples of Jesus in his earthly ministry. They were called Apostles, which literally means “the ambassadors of Christ,” or “the sent ones.”

Some of these Apostles later became founders of Assemblies in different cities in their time. This made them even more distinguished, respected, and recognized as the pillars and front-line leaders of the Assembly. Many other disciples who were not direct disciples of Jesus when he was alive were also recognized and called Apostles in the early Assembly (Gal 2:9, 1Cor 9:1, 15:5:10).

Despite the known fact that these individuals were called by titles, there was a general umbrella name in which anyone recognized into the institution of leadership in the early Assembly was called. This is similar to the leadership institution of the Old Testament religion of the Jews, Judaism.

The leadership institution of Judaism is the Priesthood. Their operational base is called The Temple (not synagogue), and the leaders or rulers in the Temple are called the High Priests. This pattern is almost the same with Christianity. The leadership institution of Christianity is the Elderhood, The operational base is called The Assembly (not church), and the leaders or rulers in the Assembly are called the Apostles (1Cor 12:28, Eph 2:20).

You will find the Elderhood institution for the early Assembly throughout the book of Acts and the Epistles (Acts 11:30, Acts 14:23, Acts 15:2 , Acts 20:17, 1Tim 5:17, Tit 1:5, Heb 11:2, Jas 5:14 , 1Pet 5:1).

The Elderhood is the highest leadership in the early Assembly. Those who are ordained into it are called Elders. This is regardless of their title or function, whether leaders in the five-fold ministry or other capacities (Jas 5:14). Just like the Scribes, Sanhedrin, Pharisees, Sadducees, etc in Judaism are called Priests in general, so also the Pastors, Apostles, Teachers, Prophets in the five-fold ministry are called Elders in general (1Pet 5:1).

Since Elderhood is the leadership pattern of the Early Assembly practiced for hundreds of years right from the inception of the Assembly, why is it different from the leadership pattern of the church today? Why does the church today practice clergy-laity instead of the Elderhood? When did the structure change, why, and how?

The quick answer to these questions is that The Assembly of the early time and the Church today are different in origin, practices, worship, doctrines, and many more and are parallel. That is why the leadership is different, too as a matter of course.

Worthy of note is the fact that the leadership structure of the church was in existence during the time of Jesus and the time of the Apostles. As a matter of fact, Jesus said something about it while he was physically on earth (Mat 20:26, Mar 10:43, Luke 22:26) and when he went up to glory (Rev 2:6,15).

Take The Challenge

Hint: You will need to read the Bible passages to be able to answer some of the questionsDo not answer based on what you know but on the article.

Explain the term “Direct Disciples.”
Mention some Assembly leaders who were not direct disciples of Jesus but recognized as Apostles in the early Assemblies.
What is the connection between the temple and the priesthood?
What institution did the Scribes, Sanhedrin, Pharisees, Sadducees belong to?
Why is the leadership of the church today different from the leadership of the early Assembly?
In what way is Judaism and Christianity similar?
To whom did Jesus talk about the clergy-laity leadership style to while he was on earth and what did he say about it?
To whom did Jesus talk about the clergy-laity leadership style to after he has gone to glory and what did he say about it?