The elders’ threefold work (2): Its scriptural basis
This article by Douglas Kuiper establishes the scriptural basis for the threefold work of elders in the Reformed church—ruling/oversight, pastoral care, and teaching—by examining both New Testament passages and Old Testament types. The author demonstrates how the Greek terms "presbyter" and "episkopos" relate to different church governance systems and traces the office's roots in Israel's judges and kings, providing exegetical support for Presbyterian church polity.
Previous article in this series: October 15, 2019, p. 40. In our last article we surveyed the work of the office of elder as prescribed by various articles of our Church Order, the "Form of Ordination of Elders and Deacons," and Article 30 of the Belgic Confession. Our goal was to demonstrate that imbedded in these confessions, if not explicitly stated, is the idea that the work of the office of elder has three basic aspects: rule or oversight, being a pastor or shepherd, and teaching. In...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org