Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

(3) Deut. 22.15

(4) Deut. 25.7-10

B. Church as the New Israel: elder as continuance of leader concept

For [the bishops] are your high priests, as the presbyters are your priests. You have the deacons in place of the Levites. . . . But He who is above all these is the High Priest [Christ]. ~ Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390, E), 7.410., Ibid.

1. The early Church was regarded as the “new Israel.”

a. Matt. 21.43

b. Gal. 6.16

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c. 1 Pet. 2.9

d. Gal. 3.29

2. Connected to the council of elders that function locally in the synagogue and nationally in the Jewish Sanhedrin (cf. Acts 11.30; 15.2-6, 22-23; 16.4; 21.18)

a. Based in Jerusalem

b. Made decisions for the Messianic community everywhere (cf. The Jerusalem Council, Acts 15)

3. NT view of elders resonates and is founded upon the historic Jewish view of leadership of the tribes