32 Bible Verses about elders, in the church

Then when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were cordially received by the church, and the apostles and presbyters, and they related how great things God had done by them.

which also they did, sending it off to the presbyters by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

There being therefore no small contention and dispute maintained by Paul and Barnabas against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of their body, should go up to the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem, for the decision of this question.

So as they passed through the cities, they delivered to them for their observance the ordinances decreed by the apostles and presbyters that were at Jerusalem.

And on the morrow Paul went in with us unto James: and all the presbyters were present.

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you bishops, to feed as shepherds the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.

So he sent to Ephesus from Miletus, and called the presbyters of the church to attend him.

if there be a man blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not under an accusation or debauchery, or disorderly conduct. For a bishop ought to be irreproachable, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not irritable, not addicted to wine, not quarrelsome, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Then appointing them presbyters in every city, by prayer with fastings they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

For this purpose I left thee behind me at Crete, that thou mightest direct the regulations which remained to be executed, and that thou shouldest appoint presbyters in every city, as I charged thee to do:

if there be a man blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not under an accusation or debauchery, or disorderly conduct. For a bishop ought to be irreproachable, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not irritable, not addicted to wine, not quarrelsome, not greedy of filthy lucre; but the stranger's host, the good man's friend, grave, just, holy, temperate;read more.
firmly attached to the faithful word, according to the doctrine delivered, that he may be able to exhort with sound instruction and to confute the opposers.

IT is a true saying, If a man seeks the office of a bishop, he desireth a laudable employment. A bishop then must be irreprehensible, the husband of one wife, temperate, sagacious, respectable, hospitable, well qualified for teaching; not addicted to wine, not using hard words or blows, not greedy of base gain; but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money;read more.
presiding over his own family with propriety, having his children under subjection with all gravity of behaviour: for if a man knoweth not how to order his own family, how shall he take proper care of the church of God? Not a new convert, lest he be puffed up, and fall into the devil's crime. He must also have a fair character from those who are without, that he may not fall into reproach, and into the snare of the devil.

Let the elders who preside properly be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who are laborious in preaching and teaching.

for if a man knoweth not how to order his own family, how shall he take proper care of the church of God?

A bishop then must be irreprehensible, the husband of one wife, temperate, sagacious, respectable, hospitable, well qualified for teaching;

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you bishops, to feed as shepherds the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. For this I know, that after my departure there will come among you grievous wolves, not sparing the flock: Yea, from among yourselves shall men arise, speaking perverting doctrines, to draw away disciples after them.read more.
Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, by night and by day, I have never ceased with tears to admonish every individual.

firmly attached to the faithful word, according to the doctrine delivered, that he may be able to exhort with sound instruction and to confute the opposers.

THE presbyters among you I exhort, who am a co-presbyter and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among you, exercising your pastoral office not of necessity, but of choice, not for base gain, but with alacrity of mind; not as domineering over your allotted congregations, but as being examples of the flock.read more.
And when the arch Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that will never fade away.

Is any man sick among you? let him send for the presbyters of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

Let the elders who preside properly be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who are laborious in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture saith, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox while he treadeth out the corn." And again, "The labourer is worthy of his hire." Against a presbyter receive not an accusation, except it be from two or three witnesses.read more.
Those who sin rebuke before all, that the rest also may tremble.

Obey your presidents, and be subject to them: for they are vigilant for your souls, as being to render an account, that they may do it with joy, and not groaning: for that would be disadvantageous for you.

Now we entreat you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Remember your presidents, who have spoken to you the word of God: the ultimate issue of whose conduct attentively observing, be imitators of their fidelity.

And around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon these thrones I saw twenty-four presbyters seated, clothed in white robes; and they had on their heads golden crowns.

and she had a great wall and lofty, having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed on them, which are those of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. From the east three gates; from the north three gates; from the south three gates; from the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

And one of the presbyters said unto me, Weep not: behold the lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed, to open the book, and to break the seven seals upon it. And I beheld, and lo! in the midst of the throne, and of the four living beings, and in the midst of the presbyters, stood a lamb as just slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that are sent forth into all the world:

And the four and twenty presbyters, who were seated before God upon their thrones, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

and they sang as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living beings, and the presbyters: and no person could learn that song, but the hundred forty-four thousand, who were redeemed from the earth.

the four and twenty presbyters prostrate themselves before him who is Seated on the throne, and worship him who liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy art thou, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power; for thou hast created all things, and by thy will they exist, and were created.

And when he had taken the book, the four living beings and the four and twenty presbyters prostrated themselves before the lamb, having each harps, and vases of gold, full of perfumes smoaking, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereon; because thou hast been slaughtered, and hast redeemed us for God by thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us for our God kings and priests, and we shall reign upon the earth.read more.
And I looked, and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and the living beings, and the presbyters, and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, crying with a loud voice, Worthy is the slaughtered lamb to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and those who are on the sea, and all things which are therein, heard I, saying, To him who is seated on the throne, and to the lamb, be blessing, and honour, and glory, and might for ever and ever. And the four living beings said, Amen. And the four and twenty presbyters prostrated themselves, and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

And all the angels stood in a circle about the throne, and the presbyters and the four living beings, and fell on their faces before the throne, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might be to our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the presbyters addressed me, saying, Who are these persons who are clothed in white robes? and from whence came they?

And the four and twenty presbyters fell prostrate, and the four living beings, and they worshipped God who was seated on the throne, saying, Amen; Hallelujah.