32 Bible Verses about elders, in the church

Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they were received by the church and the apostles and elders, and they told them all things that God had done with them.

This they did, forwarding their contributions to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Now when dispute and controversy sprang up between them and Paul and Barnabas, the brethren appointed Paul and Barnabas, and certain others, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

And as they went on their way through the cities they handed them the resolutions which the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem had ordained for them to keep.

On the following day we went with Paul to call on James, and all the elders were present.

Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood.

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church to come to him;

men who are blameless, the husband of one wife, with believing children who are not accused of riot or insubordination. For indeed a presiding officer, as God's steward, ought to be blameless, not self-willed or quick-tempered, not a drunkard or violent, or greedy of filthy lucre;

They chose elders for them in every church, after prayer and fasting, and commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

I left you in Crete for this reason, that you might set right the things left unfinished, and appoint presbyters in every city as I had instructed you;

men who are blameless, the husband of one wife, with believing children who are not accused of riot or insubordination. For indeed a presiding officer, as God's steward, ought to be blameless, not self-willed or quick-tempered, not a drunkard or violent, or greedy of filthy lucre; but he must be hospitable, a lover of the good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.read more.
He must hold to the faithful word according to the teaching, so that he may be able both to encourage by sound teaching, and to confute our opponents.

This is a faithful saying, "If any man is seeking the office of a minister he is aspiring to a noble task." The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching; no drinker or brawler; but forbearing, peaceable, and no money-lover;read more.
he should be a man who rules his own household well, and keeps his children ever under control and thoroughly well behaved. For if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how shall he take charge of a church of God? He must not be a recent convert, lest he be blinded with pride, and incur the doom of the devil. He should also have a good reputation among outsiders, lest he fall into reproach, and into a snare of the devil.

Let the elders who fill their offices well, be held worthy of twofold honor; especially those who have the task of preaching and teaching.

For if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how shall he take charge of a church of God?

The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;

Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock; and that from among your own number, men will arise, perverting the truth, to draw away the disciples after them.read more.
So be on guard; and remember that for three years I ceased not to admonish you all, night and day, even with tears.

He must hold to the faithful word according to the teaching, so that he may be able both to encourage by sound teaching, and to confute our opponents.

Now to you who are presbyters I make this appeal; for I am myself a presbyter, and was a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory about to be revealed. Be shepherds to your flock of God; take charge of them willingly, and not through compulsion; not for filthy lucre, but with a willing mind; not by way of lording it over your heritage, but by becoming examples to the flock.read more.
Then, when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you too will receive the fadeless wreath of glory.

Is any in good spirits? Let him sing unto his harp. Is any one of you ill? Let him send for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, after anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;

Let the elders who fill their offices well, be held worthy of twofold honor; especially those who have the task of preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, You must not muzzle an ox when he is treading out the grain, and The worker is worth his wages. Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.read more.
Rebuke offenders publicly, so that others also may take warning.

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who must give account; that they may do thus with joy and not with lamentation, for this would be unprofitable to you.

I entreat you, brothers, to acknowledge those who are toiling among you and are your leaders in the Lord, and give you counsel.

Remember your leaders, the men who spoke the message of God to you; consider the issue of their lives, and imitate their faith.

And round about the throne were four and twenty Elders seated, who were clothed in white raiment, with golden crowns upon their heads.

with a wall great and high, and twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. On the east were three gates; and on the north, three gates; and on the south, three gates; and on the west, three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

But one of the Elders said to me. "Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, and so can open the book with its seven seals." Then I beheld a Lamb standing as if slain in the midst of the throne and of the four Living Creatures, and in the midst of the Elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes (which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth).

Then the four and twenty Elders who are seated before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshiped God,

They were singing a new song before the throne, and before the four Living Creatures and the Elders; and none can learn that song, except the one hundred and forty and four thousand, who had been redeemed from the earth.

the four and twenty Elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying. "Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, To receive the glory and the honor and the power; For thou didst create all things, And because of thy will they came into being And were created."

When he took the book, the four Living Creatures and the four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb. And each had a harp and a golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art thou to take the book And to open its seals; For thou wast slain and didst ransom for God Men out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation; Thou hast made them kings and priests unto our God, And they shall reign on earth."read more.
Then I looked and heard a voice of many angels encircling the throne and a voice of the Living Creatures and of the Elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, singing aloud, "Worthy is the Lamb who has been slain, To receive power and riches and wisdom And might and honor and glory and blessing." And I heard every created thing that is in heaven, or on earth, or beneath the earth, or on the sea, and all things that are in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, Be the blessing and the honor, And the glory and the power, Forever and ever!" And the four Living Creatures kept saying, "Amen!" And the Elders fell down and worshiped.

And all the angels stood encircling the throne, and the Elders and the Living Creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne, worshiping God, and crying, "Even so! The blessing and the glory and the wisdom And the thanksgiving and the honor and the power and the might Be to our God forever and ever. Amen." And one of the Elders spoke to me, saying. "Who are these, clad in white robes? Whence come they?"

Then the four and twenty Elders and the four beasts fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, "Amen, Hallelujah!"