From 93da45b546e0929af94a2ffc4ce44734410c7e5d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Joel D. Ruark" Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2020 12:56:27 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Update 'bible/other/elder.md' (#1222) --- bible/other/elder.md | 9 ++++----- 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-) diff --git a/bible/other/elder.md b/bible/other/elder.md index cee0dfa0..4c667ce4 100644 --- a/bible/other/elder.md +++ b/bible/other/elder.md @@ -1,14 +1,13 @@ -# elder, older +# elder, older, old ## Definition: -Elders are spiritually mature men who have responsibilities of spiritual and practical leadership among God’s people. +The term "elder" or "older" refers to people (in the Bible, usually men) who have grown old enough to become mature adults and leaders within a community. For example, elders might have gray hair, have adult children, or perhaps even have grandchildren or great-grandchildren. * The term “elder” came from the fact that elders were originally older men who, because of their age and experience, had greater wisdom. * In the Old Testament, the elders helped lead the Israelites in matters of social justice and the Law of Moses. -* In the New Testament, Jewish elders continued to be leaders in their communities and also were judges for the people. -* In the early Christian churches, Christian elders gave spiritual leadership to the local assemblies of believers. -* Elders in these churches included young men who were spiritually mature. +* In the New Testament, Jewish "elders" continued to be leaders in their communities and also were judges for the people. +* In the early Christian churches, Christian "elders" gave spiritual leadership to the local assemblies of believers. Elders in these churches sometimes included young men who were spiritually mature. * This term could be translated as “older men” or “spiritually mature men leading the church.” ## Bible References: