Meditation on the First Letter of Peter, Chapter 5
The elders or the overseers of the Christian congregations must shepherd the flock of God: « Therefore, as a fellow elder, a witness of the sufferings of the Christ and a sharer of the glory that is to be revealed, I make this appeal to the elders among you: 2 Shepherd the flock of God under your care, serving as overseers, not under compulsion, but willingly before God; not for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd has been made manifest, you will receive the unfading crown of glory » (verses 1-4).
The elders of the Christian congregation are spiritual shepherds in ministering of the sheep which belong to God and to Christ. The Apostle Peter designates himself as elder. Before going up to heaven, Jesus Christ resurrected asked him to feed and shepherd the flock of God, the Christian congregation (John 21:15-17). Their spiritual pastoral work is to teach, as made by the apostle Peter, the disciple James and Jude, and the apostles John, and Paul. Their letters are examples of the kind of high quality of biblical teaching that each overseer must provide to the congregation. The spiritual pastoral work of the elder is also to create a brotherly relationship with the brothers and sisters of the congregation, making visits to encourage the sheep of God, under their care.
The apostle Paul, under inspiration, wrote the qualifications for the elders or the overseers of the Christian congregations: « This statement is trustworthy: If a man is reaching out to be an overseer, he is desirous of a fine work. The overseer should therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife, moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach, not a drunkard, not violent, but reasonable, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, a man presiding over his own household in a fine manner, having his children in subjection with all seriousness (for if any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he care for the congregation of God?), not a newly converted man, for fear that he might get puffed up with pride and fall into the judgment passed on the Devil. Moreover, he should also have a fine testimony from outsiders so that he does not fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil” (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
« I left you in Crete so that you would correct the things that were defective and make appointments of elders in city after city, as I instructed you: if there is any man free from accusation, a husband of one wife, having believing children who are not accused of debauchery or rebelliousness. For as God’s steward, an overseer must be free from accusation, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy of dishonest gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, sound in mind, righteous, loyal, self-controlled, holding firmly to the faithful word as respects his art of teaching, so that he may be able both to encourage by the teaching that is wholesome and to reprove those who contradict » (Titus 1:5-9).
Here are also the qualifications for the ministerial servants, written by the apostle Paul, under inspiration: « Ministerial servants should likewise be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in a lot of wine, not greedy of dishonest gain, holding the sacred secret of the faith with a clean conscience. Also, let these be tested as to fitness first; then let them serve as ministers, as they are free from accusation » (1 Timothy 3:8-10). The ministerial servants help the elders in their ministry in the Christian congregation.
There is a concrete example of how the ministerial servants can help the elders, in the narrative of the book of Acts: « Now in those days when the disciples were increasing, the Greek-speaking Jews began complaining against the Hebrew-speaking Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said: “It is not right for us to leave the word of God to distribute food to tables. So, brothers, select for yourselves seven reputable men from among you, full of spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them over this necessary matter; but we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” What they said was pleasing to the whole multitude, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and holy spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They brought them to the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them” (Acts 6:1-6). In this situation, the ministerial servants helped the apostles who were also elders or overseers, so that they could be more available for prayer and for the ministry of the word.
Among these seven men who had the function of ministerial servants, there are two well-known men, according to the narrative of Acts: Stephen and Philip (Acts chapters 6 and 7 (Stephen); Acts chapter 8 (Philippe known as an evangelist, like the apostle Paul)). Given their wisdom, it is likely that they were also elders or overseers at the time of their appointment to distribute food. That means an elder can occasionally have the function of a ministerial servant.
We must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God: « Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, 7 while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. 9 But take your stand against him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers in the world. 10 But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you. 11 To him be the might forever. Amen.
12 Through Sil·vaʹnus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written you in few words in order to encourage you and to give an earnest witness that this is the true undeserved kindness of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, a chosen one like you, sends you her greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. May all of you who are in union with Christ have peace » (verses 5-14).
***
Peter is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, he also has the name of Simon Peter (Matthew 4:18) and Jesus Christ gave him another name, Cephas (John 1:42). Among the twelve, he was one of the three closest apostles of Jesus Christ: Peter, James and John his brother. These three men saw the transfiguration of Christ (Mark 9:1-10).
Achieving Spiritual Maturity (Hebrews 6:1)
***
Table of contents of the http://yomelyah.fr/ website
Reading the Bible daily, this table of contents contains informative Bible articles (Please click on the link above to view it)…
Table of languages of more than seventy languages, with six important biblical articles, written in each of these languages…
***