I.Elders: From Synagogues to Christian Denominations.
Synagogue elders,
Christian elders, elder teachers/administrators,
Paul Timothy Titus authority over elders/churches,
they are appointing elders at all the churches,
Church expansion needs leadership,
elder/overseers term used interchangeably,
Develops to Overseeing Bishops (Episkopos) like “Paul”,
to Official Separate Offices of Bishop and Elder,
geographic churches, expansion, denominations.
Elders/Overseers: preach/teach/guard doctrine, pray, admonish, serve, rule, discipline, appoint, give.
Summary: Word, Sacrament, Order.
II. Elder Timeline: Jesus to Paul to Peter.
33AD Matt. 16:21 (acts 6:12)
40-50AD James (acts 11:29-30)
46-49AD 1st Mission (acts 13:2-3, 14:23)
49AD Jerusalem Council (acts 15:2, 22-23)
49-52AD 2nd Mission (acts 15:36; 16:4)
Spring 50AD 1 Thess.
Summer 50AD 2 Thess.
53-60AD 3rd Mission (acts 18:22, 20:17, 28, 21:8)
62-66AD 1 Tim. 4:11-16 (elders over elders)
60-66AD Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-7 (elders/overseers interchanged)
65AD 1 Peter 5:1 (elders)
70AD Temple Destruction
107AD Apostolic Father Ignatius dies (Disciple of John)
III. Elder Timeline: Christian Elders to Bishops development.
a) 33AD Originally, Jewish Christians a Sect of Judaism.
b) Thru Jesus Messianic/Deity teachings Jewish persecutions push separation with Christians.
c) 40-70’sAD Increasing Gentile conversions outside of Judaism.
d) 49AD Official decision the Jerusalem Council of Apostles/Elders, Gentiles don’t have to become Jewish 1st.
e) 40-90’s Progression of worshipping on 1st Day the Lord’s day/Jesus’ Resurr. vs. the 7th Day Jewish Sabbath.
f) 66-73AD Roman/Jewish war.
g) 70AD the destruction of the Temple.
h) Along the way there naturally appears Christian Leadership with Jewish Synagogue Elder Model.
i) 50s?-90s?AD Develops into official positions, first only 2 Offices of Elders/Overseers and Deacons.
j) 100’sAD Ignatius and Apostolic Fathers referring to 3 Established Offices –Bishops (episkopos overseers) & Elders (presbyteros) & Deacons (diakonos).
33-100AD Organizing Church, overseers…elders…deacons
100’s-300’sAD? Catholic/Orthodox Claims, Bishops…Elders…Deacons
1054 AD The Great Schism Between East/West, Completion of Catholic / Orthodox division.