THE ELDERS WHICH THE SICK PERSON IS COMMANDED TO CALL

THE ELDERS WHICH THE SICK PERSON IS COMMANDED TO CALL

 

 

le. In number, more than one is to be called as indicated by the plural of the word "elders". When more than one elder offi­ciates in the service, it will be difficult to attribute special healing powers to anyone if the service brings heal­ing to the sick one.

2e. In sex, the elders are to be men, in view of the masculine gender of the word elders. This is in accord with the duties and functions of women in the church as set forth in the N.T. Many divine healers have been women, and this will guard against them.

3e. In locality, the elders should be members of the local as­sembly. The word church is always used in that sense when referring to groups of people associated together for wor­ship. This will make it possible for the elders to know the case of the sick man; and it will also make it possible for the sick one to know the kind and ability of the elders. The elders can then deal more accurately with the sick one. and the sick one will know that the elders are ordinary men, and thus attribute any healing to God.

4e. In position, these elders hold some office in the local church, and are therefore men who have marked qualifications of spirituality. They are regarded with esteem by the con­gregation and are more apt to have power with God (vs. 16).