Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

PRESBYTER, PRESBYTERY

A group of elders (Gk. presbytérion, from presbýteros, “elder”). Some early Christian communities adopted and adapted this institution of governance from Jewish precedents and from the bodies of elders known in Greek and Egyptian society. Elders were appointed in new Christian congregations (Acts 14:23) and appear in Jerusalem both alone (11:30; 21:18) and alongside (15:2-6, 22-23; 16:4) the apostles. The presbytery as a body of elders was active in ordination (1 Tim. 4:14), and in the Pastoral and Catholic Epistles elders had both leadership (5:17, 19) and liturgical (Jas. 5:14) functions. The terms “elder” and “bishop” may be interchangeable (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5, 7). A council of elders surrounds God on his heavenly throne (Rev. 4:4, 9-11; 5:6-14).

Bibliography. J. M. Lieu, The Second and Third Epistles of John (Edinburgh, 1986).

David Rensberger






Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)

Info Language Arrow Return to Top
Prayer Tents is a Christian mission organization that serves Christians around the world and their local bodies to make disciples ("evangelize") more effectively in their communities. Prayer Tents provides resources to enable Christians to form discipleship-focused small groups and make their gatherings known so that other "interested" people may participate and experience Christ in their midst. Our Vision is to make disciples in all nations through the local churches so that anyone seeking God can come to know Him through relationships with other Christians near them.

© Prayer Tents 2024.
Prayer Tents Facebook icon Prayer Tents Twitter icon Prayer Tents Youtube icon Prayer Tents Linkedin icon