What are the Expectations of a Biblical Officer?
(See 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9; Acts 6:1-6)
At minimum:
1. Maintain a regular, daily practice of time alone with God in Bible reading and prayer
2. Have lives marked by moral and spiritual integrity.
3. Have a wholesome reputation among believers and unbelievers alike.
4. Have a firm grasp and conviction of the truths of the Christian faith as revealed in the Scriptures, and must be able to teach those truths.
5. Must have the spiritual capacity to discern, expose and withstand the assaults of heresy and unbelief (elders).
6. Must have homes that reflect an atmosphere of harmony, godliness, and genuine hospitality.
He reflects the required character of an elder (substantially, though not perfectly):
1. He is above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6)
a. Not to be laid hold of; nothing in his life is open to rebuke.
b. Here is the reference to the general character or sum total of those godly virtues. It means he is not open to censure, having an impeachable integrity; in accord with Biblical requirement for leadership.
2. Restrained Control (1 Tim. 3:2; 1 Thess. 5:6,8)
* He is temperate.
* There is sobriety of life, free from excesses; not inebriated with the issues of life.
* He is self-controlled through the work of the Spirit of God (Gal. 5; Phil. 2:13) and by godly wisdom. (This does not carry with it the idea of a strictly disciplined person, but rather one who is disciplined and properly flexible in the use and application of all things for the glory of God.)
a. Restrained control in that you are gentle (2 Sam. 22:36; Psalm 18:35; 1 Timothy 3:2,3)
* The idea of gentleness, a very important quality in a godly leader, is that of being patient, mild, reasonable, and full of grace and graciousness.
* Does not insist on having his own way.
* Gentleness sees people as sensitive beings and deals with people where they are and encourage them to grow.
* Shows carefulness in choosing words and expressions so as not to needlessly offend (Gal. 6:1). At the same time he is not afraid of offending; in other words hurting people’s feelings is not a motivation for what he thinks or does.
* Reflects care, affection and good will toward others (Eph. 4:2).
* He is not abrupt, rude, terse, tactless or critical in my communications. This is a quality the godly leader is to pursue (1 Tim. 6:11).
* He exercises the fruit of God’s Spirit (Gal. 5:23; Phil. 4:5).
Here are some characteristic ways to be biblically gentle:
(1) A true gentle man
* approachable (my personality has no sharp edges)
* firm, but diplomatic even when correcting opponents (Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:23-25)
* kind and gracious like Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:29; Acts 24:4; 2 Cor. 10:1; 1 Thess. 2:7).
* God has granted him with wisdom that is a biblical and exercised in gentleness (James 3:17)
(2) Gentle in that he is not pugnacious (1 Tim. 3:3; Ti. 1:7 )
* Not a striker at home with my wife and children, nor with anyone else. Not physically abusive.
* Not prone to violence; not given to blows; not a fighter.
* Not one who is harsh with words or verbally abusive.
*Doesn’t lash out when hurt or incite arguments, nor alienates people by an attacking manner.
* Is not eager to always make his point or get his way.
* Does not follow through with a hot temper. (Prov. 3:30; 15:18; 17:14; 20:3; 25:8; 26:17; Phil. 2:3)
(3) Gentle in that he is not quarrelsome (1 Tim. 3:2, 3; 2 Tim. 2:14)
* Demonstrates an aversion to verbal fighting, quarreling, and arguing.
* However, he knows what, when, and how to debate rightly.
* Does not rejoice and take delight in outdoing others and defeating their ideas and beliefs; thus, no harsh dogmatism or strongly offensive approach toward people. Not a contentious disputer (1 Tim. 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:22-26; Ti. 3:9).
* He has and displays a sense of peace, tranquility, and calmness. He is a peacemaker; one who is able to bring calm to a stormy situation. (Eccl. 10:4; Matt. 5:9; Rom. 12:18; 14:19; Heb. 12:14; Jas. 3:17)
- Restrained control in that he is not greedy (1 Tim. 3:3; Ti. 1:7)
* The acquisition of money or things (that which sustains or makes up life) is not a high priority in my life.
* His life is characterized by simplicity and humility in attitude and economic style.
* Heavenly priorities dominate (Matt. 6:33).
* His possessions do not reflect comfort-seeking in things or in undue accumulation of needless things.
* He has a firm conviction in resisting dishonest and shady methods for acquiring money or things.
* He is free from the love of money, especially since this is often one of the deadly temptations for a godly leader (1 Tim. 6:5-10; Acts 20:33; 2 Tim. 3:6-7).
c. Restrained control in that is not given to selfish anger (Ti. 1:7)
* He is not prone to anger; not overly passionate.
* No trigger temper or character that is generally irritable.
*Not too easily offended, thus unapproachable and unpredictable in temper (Pro. 16:32).
d. Restrained control in that I am not given to much wine (1 Tim. 3:3; Ti. 1:7)
* He does not linger over wine; not over-indulgent or a drunk; controlling the wine, it does not control the man.
*The principle is one of control over bodily appetites (Gen. 19; Prov. 20:1; 23; Eccles. 10:17; Isa. 5:11; Isa. 28:1; Luke 21:34; Rom. 13:13; Eph. 5:18).
e. His overall character is that he is self-controlled (Ti. 1:8)
* There is a mastery over self.
*His passions and appetites are controlled.
* He is not lazy, gluttonous or given to filthy talk (Eph. 5:4).
*He has an ordered life, one reflecting heavenly pursuits and priorities (Acts 24:25; Rom. 6:12; Jas. 3:2; 2 Pet. 1:5-7; Matt. 26:41; 1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Pet. 5:8).
3. Humble (not self-willed) (Luke 14:10; Phil 2:3; Ti. 1:7; Jas. 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:5)
* He is not willful, obstinate, domineering, and arrogant.
* He does not stand hard on “everything” he believes, and do not insist on his own way, ideas, or beliefs. In other words his principles have not become unbreakable laws for others (Rom. 14).
* He has a genuine interest in others and in what they say and do.
* Being self-willed is also characteristic of one who delights much in his own appearance, performance, or status to the obvious neglect of others.
* Humility is the prerequisite to being teachable, thinking rightly about myself (Rom. 12:3, 10, 16), rightly seeing myself before the face of God. This is a quality I am praying for and ever growing in.
4. Holy (Ti. 1:8)
* Religiously, biblically devout, pious.
* Manifestly more like Jesus Christ than like my culture and the world.
*Consistent in carrying out the basic Gospel duties in private and public affairs of life. Living out the Spirit-filled life of Christ. (Lev. 11:45; Luke 1:74,75; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:16; 2 Pet. 3:11)
5. Hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2; 5:10; Ti. 1:9; 1 Pet. 4:9)
* The love of Christ in me exhibits itself by loving my neighbor as oneself.
* Genuinely and demonstrably kind to others, even strangers.
* He is generous. This love of heart is expressed in the open door, demonstrating a kind, compassionate, welcoming Savior.
* As a biblical leader I am a model and pacesetter in this. (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2).
6. Just (Ti. 1:8)
* Means upright, righteous; impartial in dealing with people.
*He is able to forget personal interests and seek the truth in situations, in inter-personal conflicts, or as an umpire over differences.
* He lovingly but boldly speak what is right; with an ability to hear both sides and weigh the evidence honestly (Deut. 16:20; Psa. 82:3; Prov. 21:3; Isa. 56:1; Rom. 13:7; Col. 4:1).
7. Lover of good (Ti. 1:8)
* He has a love of virtue, of godly men and good things. My affections are attached toward the Lord, to
good things and godly people rather than being drawn toward worldly pleasures and gratifications.
* His concern is toward holiness, Spirit-empowered obedience to God’s Word, an anticipation of the
world to come.
* He has a love of God’s truth rather than such things as position, fame, abilities, possessions, etc., which are soon to pass away (1 Thess. 5:21; Heb. 3:6; 4:14; 10:23; Rev. 3:3).
8. Prudent (1 Tim. 3:2; Ti. 1:8)
* In other words he has a sound and self-controlled mind.
* A developed skill in the art of life, having learned the ropes of applying the Word to life’s issues.
* Temperate, not controlled by impulse but by Biblical principle.
* Responsible, as opposed to a feeling-oriented life.
* His life reflects Biblical priorities, demonstrates sound thinking, and right decision making because I am thinking God’s thoughts about the issues of life.
9. Respectable (1 Tim. 3:2)
* Well-ordered, well-arranged, decorous in behavior and speech. The term may refer to 1. Manners, etiquette, and personal habits; 2. Simplicity of life-style rather than eccentricity or extravagance; or 3. A general reference to a rightly ordered life.
* He has inoffensive and unblameable socially acceptable manners.
* He is gentlemanly in the treatment of women, in dress, hygiene, eating habits, and sociability with various people.
* He is respectable because he respects others (men, women, young, old). Also unpretentious, modest, with an easy going life-style.
Additional Questions for Personal evaluation:
A. Personal Life
* Fears and loves God?
*Meets the moral and spiritual qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 (Substantially, not perfectly)
* Practice regular Bible reading and prayer.
* Serious about obeying God and obeying God’s Word.
* Is killing sin and growing in grace, and it is evident by the fact that he is not the same today as he was a year ago, or five years ago, or ten years ago.
* Teachable, eager for learning more spiritual truth.
* Teachable and eager to learn and strengthen his gifts and talents.
* Hunger for grace, truth and righteousness.
B. Family Life (if applicable)
* His home reflects an atmosphere of harmony, godliness, and hospitality
* Has a good relationship with his wife that evidences conformity to the standards of Ephesians 5:25-28? I am practicing self-denying love that serves, nourishes and cherishes my wife.
* Rules his children with a graceful, loving, but firm hand.
* Consistently practicing biblical discipline and love toward his children (i.e.: verbal instruction and corporal correction).
* His marriage and family life is a model that can be commended to others.
* His wife and children respect, honor and submit to his godly leadership.
* He provides spiritual leadership to his wife/family.
* His wife and children are following his spiritual leadership.
* The home evidences a commitment to spiritual priorities.
* His wife has godly priorities.
* She is committed to ministry in the local church also.
* She supports him in serving as a deacon or an elder.
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