The Gifts Necessary for the Office of Elder (1)

Prof. Decker is professor of Practical Theology in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Before we examine the gifts which a man must possess if he is to be qualified to serve Christ and His church in the offices of minister or elder, we must pay attention to the biblical terms used to refer to these offices. These terms give a great deal of insight into the kind of man Christ calls to serve in church office. In the Old Testament there is the word translated "elder." While in some instances this...