A Discourse on the Official Relations of New Testament Elders (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from A Discourse on the Official Relations of New Testament Elders

Frequent reference is made both in the old and the new testaments to the elders of the Jews; from whose ecclesiasti cal constitution both the title and the omce appear to have been derived, and thence transferred to the new dis pausation. God had consecrated the family of Aaron and the tribe of Levi for oflicial service under the mosaic econo my. But then they were priests, and their concern was with the temple and the altar. The temple was at J crusa lem; there sacrifices were od'ored, and the whole ritual was presented in full and distinct form. But all the Jews did not live in Jerusalem, neither were sacrifices the only acts of religious worship they were required to render. They had social ordinances of a much more limited character, and suited to the circumstances of their local situation. In ad. Dition to the temple, synagogues were erected throughout Judea; they were to be found in every town and village, or wherever a regular assembly of convenient size could be collected. In these synagogues prayer and praise were of feted up, and the scriptures were read and expoundedf - rev ligious services, which, you know, characterize the worship of believers in the new testament church.

In the synagogue, as we are inform'ed by those who have made jewish antiquities their study, there were a bishop, a bench of elders, and deacons. The bishop was a presbyter, or elder, and his oficial duty appears to have called upon him to take the lead in the services of the synagogue -to (flat up public prayer, and to expound the scriptures. He also sat in council with the other presbyters or elders, and along with them exercised whatever authority was necesse ry to maintain the due order and decorum of the synagogue.

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