\u201cSince the Second World War every part of life generally has been questioned, and churches too have been put under the scrutiny of Scripture\u2026For example, in the earlier part of this century the most common structure in local churches was a pastor with a group of deacons. In the absence of a pastor the church secretary often became the leader; but now this arrangement is being seriously questioned and the most significant change has been towards a plurality of elders. These changes have caused an upheaval in many churches, and troubled members have asked ‘Were the people in the past so wrong? We respected them and the Lord blessed their ministry, how can it be that they were so wrong at this point?\u2019\u201d[1]<\/sup>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Himself an advocate of elder plurality, Mr. Pond highlights three important facts which remain at the forefront of this subject:<\/p>\n 1. The common (historic) structure in local churches has been a pastor with a group of deacons.<\/p>\n 2. The adoption of elder plurality in local churches picked up momentum after the Second World War.<\/p>\n 3. The change has caused an upheaval in many churches, and troubled members are asking, \u201cWere the people in the past so wrong? We respected them and the Lord blessed their ministry, how can it be that they were so wrong at this point?\u201d<\/p>\n Church members have the right, yea, even the duty to ask these questions. The adoption of a plural eldership significantly changes the way Baptist churches inherently function,[2]<\/sup> and therefore every baptised believer should make it a matter of priority to understand the scriptural teaching on the subject. Prior to searching the Scriptures for answers, it is helpful to frame the subject in a contemporary context. This will not only enable the reader to understand the process which led many Baptist churches to adopt a plural eldership, but it will also introduce the reader to the divergent views advanced by plural eldership advocates.[3]<\/sup><\/p>\n Despite claims to the contrary,[4]<\/sup> the subject of elders in the early churches does not appear to have been a subject of concern for Baptist churches until the mid 19th century.[5]<\/sup> However, even at this relatively late date, only a handful of writers toyed around with the idea, and a close examination of their views do not exactly resemble those of present day Reformed Baptists.[6]<\/sup> In addition, only a few churches actually adopted the new order of a plural eldership.[7]<\/sup> Up until the 1950\u2019s, Baptist churches were invariably overseen by a pastor, whose ministry was supported by a group of deacons.[8]<\/sup> The consensus among the early Baptists was that the terms \u2018elder\u2019, \u2018bishop\u2019 and \u2018pastor\u2019 were interchangeable titles identifying the same office,[9]<\/sup> and that each church would naturally appoint one pastor as overseer.[10]<\/sup> The title \u2018bishop\u2019 was seldom used, probably because of the connotations with Catholicism; the title \u2018elder\u2019 was more frequently used in the 16th and 17th centuries; the title \u2018pastor\u2019 appears to have been adopted from the 18th century onwards.[11]<\/sup><\/p>\n To follow the trail of evidence on how churches were historically governed and when they began to adopt a plural eldership, it is helpful to take a snapshot of a typical Baptist church.[12]<\/sup> The Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, would serve this purpose well. Quoting from Thomas Crosby, Charles Spurgeon points out that the Tabernacle congregation \u201chad formerly belonged to one of the first ancient congregations of the Baptists in London, but separated from them in the year 1652, for some practices which they judged disorderly, and kept, together from that time as a distinct body.\u201d[13]<\/sup> The congregation having first met in private houses, it wasn\u2019t until the second pastorate, held by Mr. Benjamin Keach, that the church erected its first meeting-house, capable of holding approximately a thousand hearers.[14]<\/sup> In 1757, Under the ministry of its fourth pastor, held by John Gill, the church erected a new-meeting house near London Bridge.[15]<\/sup> In 1830, under the ministry of its fifth pastor, held by John Rippon, the church began to erect a new building, located on New Park Street.[16]<\/sup> In 1861, under the ministry of its ninth pastor, held by Charles Spurgeon, the church moved to a newly erected chapel which houses the congregation to this day.[17]<\/sup> Although the church was overseen by 20 pastors during its notable history,[18]<\/sup> there were three men of particular note that will serve to illustrate the evolution of plural eldership in the Tabernacle.<\/p>\n John Gill was an 18th century English Baptist theologian and pastor. He died when he was 73 years old, having lived between 1697 and 1771. In his notes on 1 Timothy 5, Gill rejects the interpretation forced on the text by John Calvin,[19]<\/sup> but nevertheless accepts Calvin\u2019s assertion that the elders of verses 17 and 19 refer to the officers of a church. Note how Gill interprets the term \u2018elder\u2019 at the beginning of the chapter (verse 1), then jumps to a spurious interpretation of the same term towards the end of the chapter:<\/p>\n Ver. 1. Rebuke not an elder, etc. By whom is meant, not an elder in office, but in age; for elders by office are afterwards spoken of, and particular rules concerning them are given, (1 Tim 5:17,19). Besides, an elder is here opposed, not to a private member of a church, but to young men in age; and the apostle is here giving rules to be observed in rebuking members of churches, according to their different age and sex, and not according to their office and station\u2026but though this is the sense of the passage, yet the argument from hence is strong, that if an elder in years, a private member, who is ancient, and in a fault, is not to be roughly used, but gently entreated, then much more an elder in office.<\/p>\n Ver. 17. Let the elders that rule well, etc. By whom are meant not elders in age\u2026the elders here are particularly described as good rulers and labourers in the word and doctrine; besides, elders in age are taken notice of before\u2026nor are lay elders meant, who rule, but teach not; since there are no such officers appointed in the churches of Christ; whose only officers are bishops or elders and deacons: wherefore the qualifications such are only given in a preceding chapter\u2026these are called \u201celders\u201d, because they are commonly chosen out of the senior members of the churches, though not always, Timothy is an exception to this.\u201d[20]<\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Gill correctly interpreted the term \u2018elder\u2019 in verse 1 as referring to persons of age, rather than office; yet, he violates his own exegesis when imposing on the same term in verses 17 and 19, the premise of the Presbyterians\u2014that the term elder refers to church officers. Nevertheless, he flat out rejects the distinction between two types of elders (ruling and teaching). Gill viewed the term elder as synonymous with the office of bishop, which meant that only those divinely gifted for the work of preaching were responsible for the work of overseeing. Attention should also be given that he makes no mention of a plurality of elders in a single church.[21]<\/sup> As already noted, it was the custom of Baptist churches during the 18th century to install one pastor as overseer, assisted by a group of deacons.<\/p>\n Charles Spurgeon, nicknamed the \u201cPrince of Preachers\u201d, requires little introduction. He served as pastor for 38 years, between 1854 and 1892. \u201cWhen I came to New Park Street, the church had deacons, but no elders; and I thought, from my study of the New Testament, that there should be both orders of officers. They are very useful when we can get them,\u2014the deacons to attend to all secular matters, and the elders to devote themselves to the spiritual part of the work; this division of labour supplies an outlet for two different sorts of talent, and allows two kinds of men to be serviceable to the church; and I am sure it is good to have two sets of brethren as officers, instead of one set who have to do everything, and who often become masters of the church, instead of the servants, as both deacons and elders should be.<\/p>\n As there were no elders at New Park Street, when I read and expounded the passages in the New Testament referring to elders, I used to say, \u201cThis is an order of Christian workers which appears to have dropped out of existence. In apostolic times, they had both deacons and elders; but, somehow, the church has departed from this early custom. We have a preaching elder,\u2014that is, the Pastor,\u2014and he is expected to perform all the duties of the eldership.\u201d One and another of the members began to enquire of me, \u201cOught not we, as a church, to have elders? Cannot we elect some of our brethren who are qualified to fill the office?\u201d I answered that we had better not disturb the existing state of affairs; but some enthusiastic young men said that they would propose as the church-meeting that elders should be appointed, and ultimately we did appoint them with the unanimous consent of the members. I did not force the question upon them; I only showed them that it was Scriptural, and then of course they wanted to carry it into effect.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The church-book, in its records of the annual church-meeting held January 12, 1859, contains the following entry:\u2014[23]<\/sup><\/p>\n \u201cOur Pastor, in accordance with a previous notice, then stated the necessity that had long been felt by the church for the appointment of certain brethren to the office of elders, to watch over the spiritual affairs of the church. Our pastor pointed out the Scripture warrant for such an office, and quoted the several passages relating to the ordaining of elders: Titus 1:5, and Acts 14:23;\u2014the qualifications of elders: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:5-9;\u2014the duties of elders: Acts 20:28-35, 1 Timothy 5:17, and James 5:14; and other mention made of elders: Acts 11:30; 15:4,6,23; 16:4, and 1 Timothy 4:14.<\/p>\n Whereupon, it was resolved, that the church, having heard the statement made by its Pastor respecting the office of the eldership, desires to elect a certain number of brethren to serve the church in that office for one year, it being understood that they are to attend to the spiritual affairs of the church, and not to the temporal matters, which appertain to the deacons only.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Spurgeon continued with his account on the election and function of elders:[24]<\/sup><\/p>\n \u201cI have always made it a rule to consult the existing officers of the church before recommending the election of new deacons or elders, and I have also been on the look-out for those who have proved their fitness for office by the work they have accomplished in their private capacity. In our case, the election of deacons is a permanent one, but the elders are chosen year by year. This plan has worked admirably with us, but other churches have adopted different methods of appointing their officers. In my opinion, the very worst mode of selection is to print the names of all the male members, and then vote for a certain number by ballot. I know of one case in which a very old man was within two or three votes of being elected simply because his name began with A, and therefore was put at the top of the list of candidates.<\/p>\n My elders have been a great blessing to me; they are invaluable in looking after the spiritual interests of the church. The deacons have charge of the finance; but if the elders meet with cases of poverty needing relief, we tell them to give some small sum, and then bring the case before the deacons. I was once the unseen witness of a little incident that greatly pleased me. I heard one of our elders say to a deacon, \u201cI gave old Mrs. So-and-so ten shillings the other night.\u201d \u201cThat was very generous on your part,\u201d said the deacon. \u201cOh, but!\u201d exclaimed the elder, \u201cI want the money from the deacons.\u201d So the deacon asked, \u201cWhat office do you hold, brother?\u201d \u201cOh!\u201d he replied, \u201cI see; I have gone beyond my duty as an elder, so I\u2019ll pay the ten shillings myself; I should not like \u2018the Governor\u2019 to hear that I had overstepped the mark.\u201d \u201cNo, no, my brother,\u201d said the deacon; \u201cI\u2019ll give you the money, but don\u2019t make such a mistake another time.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Spurgeon freely admitted, prior to his installation of a plural eldership, that the Tabernacle had only ever been overseen by a pastor with deacons. \u201cBehind the upper platform, there are three spacious rooms; in the centre, is the minister\u2019s vestry; to the right and left, are the rooms of the deacons and elders,\u2014the officers of the army on either side of the captain, so that they may be ready to go forward at the word of command. Then above them, on the third story, there are three other excellent rooms, to be used for tract and Bible depositories, and for other schemes which we hope the church will undertake.\u201d[25]<\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe Historical Context<\/h1>\n
A Typical Baptist Church<\/h1>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/3-Met-Tab.png\" "\\"Screen")
<\/a> First, because this is the most famous Baptist church in recent history and many contemporary congregations look to it as a model for their own faith and order. Second, because this church is one of the oldest Baptist congregations in London, offering a helpful overview on how the church has been governed over the course of more than 360 years. Third, because the church has been overseen by three of the leading Baptist pastors of their generation, representing three centuries\u2014John Gill (18th century), Charles Spurgeon (19th century) and Peter Masters (20th century). Fourth, because this is arguably one of the first churches to adopt a plural eldership.<\/p>\n1. John Gill\u2014The Strict Baptist Theologian (18th Century)<\/h4>\n
<\/a> At the age of 22, he became pastor of the Strict Baptist church at Goat Yard Chapel (Metropolitan Tabernacle), and remained in this one ministry for 51 years. Gill is arguably one of the greatest Baptist theologians, whose influence continues to this day, largely because of his prolific written ministry. He has bequeathed to the world a comprehensive commentary on the Old and New Testaments which comments on every verse of the Bible.<\/p>\n2. Charles Spurgeon\u2014The Reformed Baptist Forerunner (19th Century)<\/h4>\n
<\/a> His remarkable gifts of oratory attracted crowds in excess of 10,000 people on occasions. He founded a pastors\u2019 college, an orphanage, a Christian literature society and The Sword and the Trowel magazine. He was the author of many books and pamphlets, the most popular being those of his printed sermons filling 62 volumes. In his Autobiography, compiled by his wife after his death, Spurgeon offers the following account on the installation and function of \u2018elders\u2019 at the Tabernacle:[22]<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/a>It is noteworthy that Spurgeon leaned heavily upon the ideas espoused by John Calvin in his interpretation of 1 Timothy 5\u2014that there should be two orders of elders (teaching and ruling). <\/a>However, it must also be noted that Spurgeon\u2019s view on how elders were to function in a church were very different from the way many Reformed Baptists go about it today\u2014(1) he enforced the policy that he and the deacons held a permanent office, whereas the elders had to be reelected each year; (2) he also created a system where he made himself the head, the deacons the right hand and the elders the left hand\u2014and he tells the story about how he, the head (pastor, or \u2018governor\u2019 as he liked to be called), watched how his right hand (deacons) knew not what his left hand (elders) did, and when his right hand found out about it, it slapped the left hand for doing what only the right hand was permitted to do. In fact, Spurgeon designed the offices in the Tabernacle to reflect the function of this bureaucratic hierarchy, for he writes,<\/p>\n