The New Testament consistently refers to elders (plural) in each church (singular).
[Acts 14:23] And when they had ordained them elders in every church…
[Acts 20:17] And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
[James 5:14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
What Kind of Caliber of Men were Elders in the New Testament
Peter (Explicitly Called an Elder)
[1 Peter 5:1] The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
James (Associated with the Elders at Jerusalem)
[Acts 21:18] And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
The Apostle John (Likely Identified as “The Elder”)
[2 John 1:1] The elder unto the elect lady and her children…
[3 John 1:1] The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius…
Paul and Barnabas (Ordained Elders)
[Acts 14:23] And when they had ordained them elders in every church…
Barnabas participated with Paul in appointing elders. While not explicitly titled “elder” in the text, he functioned in elder-level authority.
Timothy and Titus Functioned in Elder-Level Leadership.
He was left to organize churches:
[Titus 1:5] For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city…
[1 Timothy 1:3] As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus… that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
The Elders of Ephesus Chosen by the Holy Spirit
[Acts 20:17] …he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
[Acts 20:28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers…
Interesting in this case, the Holy Spirit somehow choose the elders at Ephesus.
Elder and Bishop Used for the Same Office
[Titus 1:5] For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
(Immediately describing the same office:)
[Titus 1:7] For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Another Example of Plural Bishops (or Elders)
[Philippians 1:1] Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Duties and Responsibilities of Elders
Feed / Shepherd the Church
[Acts 20:28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
[1 Peter 5:2] Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Exercise Oversight (Oversee / Govern)
[1 Peter 5:2] …taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly…
[1 Timothy 3:5] (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
[1 Timothy 5:17] Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Watch for Souls
[Hebrews 13:17] Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…
Guard Against False Teachers / Protect the Flock
[Acts 20:29–30] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
[Titus 1:9] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Teach and Labour in the Word
[1 Timothy 3:2] …apt to teach;
[1 Timothy 5:17] …especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
[Titus 1:9] …that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Be Examples to the Flock
[1 Peter 5:3] Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
Pray for the Sick
[James 5:14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
Administer Discipline
[1 Timothy 5:19] Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
[1 Timothy 5:20] Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Take Heed to Themselves First (This is Important)
[Acts 20:28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock…
An elder must take care of himself first, he must stir a fervent and right spirit within himself, figure out sound doctrine, and then that elder will be better able to feed and protect the flock of God.
Give Account to Christ (Literally) for How Each Individual Elder Shepherds
[Hebrews 13:17] Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…
[1 Peter 5:4] And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
The Apostles Prioritized Prayer and the Word Over Daily Distribution
While it doesn’t say “elders”, apostles at this point were governing and shepherding the church. Church overseers are tasked in the New Testament with prayer, word ministry, shepherding, and guarding doctrine. Practical daily distribution and administration was delegated.
Duties and Responsibilities of Deacons
Deacon Ministry According to Acts 6
[Acts 6:1] And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring… because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
[Acts 6:2] Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
[Acts 6:3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
[Acts 6:4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Here we see the Apostles prioritize prayer and ministry of the Word. They delegated responsibility having to do with daily distribution, tangible care, and administrative oversight of physical needs. This passage establishes the structural distinction between “spiritual oversight” (elders) and “practical service administration” (deacons).
Deacons Serve Practical Needs
Acts 6:1–3 shows responsibility for daily material service and care.
Handling Tangible Ministry Logistics
[Acts 6:1] …their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
[Acts 6:3] …whom we may appoint over this business.
The “daily ministration” refers to ongoing distribution of resources to widows. The deacons organized care for the needy.
Maintaining Godly Character and Doctrinal Integrity
[1 Timothy 3:8] Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
[1 Timothy 3:9] Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
[1 Timothy 3:10] And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
[1 Timothy 3:12] Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
[1 Timothy 3:13] For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
What Kind of Caliber of Men were Deacons in the New Testament
Stephen
Acts 6 does not use the word “deacon,” but Stephen is one of the seven appointed over the daily ministration (Acts 6:3–6), commonly understood as the prototype of deacons.
[Acts 6:3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
[Acts 6:5] And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost…
Performed Miracles
[Acts 6:8] And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Defended the Faith
[Acts 6:10] And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Preached a Powerful Sermon (Acts 7)
[Acts 7:2–53] Stephen delivered a scripture-rooted sermon tracing Israel’s history from Abraham, to Joseph, to Moses, to the wilderness, and to the prophets. He shows that God’s presence was never confined to one place and that Israel repeatedly resisted and rejected the prophets God sent to them. He then declares that just as their fathers persecuted the prophets, they have now betrayed and murdered “the Just One.” He also charges them with always resisting the Holy Spirit. Stephen knew his Bible!
Stephen Became the First Christian Martyr
[Acts 7:59] And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Philip (One of the Seven)
Philip is also one of the seven appointed in Acts 6.
Evangelized Samaria
[Acts 8:5] Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Performed Miracles
[Acts 8:6–7] And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake… For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
Led the Ethiopian Eunuch to Christ
[Acts 8:35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Character of an Elder
Blameless Character
[1 Timothy 3:2] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
[Titus 1:6] If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
[Titus 1:7] For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Self-Control and Sobriety
[1 Timothy 3:2] …vigilant, sober, of good behaviour…
[Titus 1:8] But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Not Violent or Greedy
[1 Timothy 3:3] Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
[Titus 1:7] …not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Patient and Gentle
[1 Timothy 3:3] …but patient, not a brawler…
[2 Timothy 2:24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Hospitable and Loving Good
[1 Timothy 3:2] …given to hospitality…
[Titus 1:8] But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Faithful at Home
[1 Timothy 3:4] One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
[1 Timothy 3:5] (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
[Titus 1:6] …having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
Spiritually Mature
[1 Timothy 3:6] Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Respected by Outsiders
[1 Timothy 3:7] Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Doctrinally Faithful
[Titus 1:9] Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Shepherd Through Example, Not Control
[1 Peter 5:3] Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
General Summary of Elders and Deacons as Described in the Bible
In the New Testament, elders (also called bishops or overseers) are entrusted with the spiritual oversight of the church, while deacons are associated with practical service and tangible administration. Elders are commanded to “feed the church of God” [Acts 20:28], to “take the oversight” [1 Peter 5:2], to be “apt to teach” [1 Timothy 3:2], and to “watch for your souls, as they that must give account” [Hebrews 13:17].
Their work centers on prayer, doctrine, shepherding, guarding against false teaching, and spiritual accountability. In contrast, the pattern associated with deacons is seen in Acts 6, where appointed men were set “over this business” of daily distribution so that the apostles would not “leave the word of God, and serve tables” [Acts 6:2–3]. They instead gave themselves “continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” [Acts 6:4].
Deacons are required to be morally serious and to hold “the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience” [1 Timothy 3:9]. They are not required to be “apt to teach,” nor are they described as ruling or overseeing the flock. Yet we do see men associated with this role (such as Stephen and Philip) were very much able to preach and defend the faith, reasoning from the Scriptures.
When you look at the example of Apollos [Act 18:24], who was neither an elder nor a deacon, yet he preached mightily from the Scriptures, and was a very eloquent man. This follows [Acts 8:4] Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Preaching Christ is a natural outflow of belief. Every Christian should be preaching Christ in some capacity.
So, Elders primary focus is non-tangible spiritual matters, including shepherding souls, doctrine, prayer, and oversight. Deacons appear to focus on administrative, logistical, and tangible needs, supporting the church’s order so that spiritual leadership can remain devoted to shepherding and the ministry of the Word. And every Christian should be preaching Christ!
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