The title, or the term, "elder" goes all the way back to Numbers 11—in Moses' appointment of the seventy to assist him in administering God's law to Israel. "Elder" is the basic office in the church; and it includes everybody from "apostle" to "local elder." They are, in short, the counselors, and the teachers, and administrators of the church. This is a very weighty responsibility. The Bible looks upon the elders as the most privileged of all people—because of their responsibility. That is, their responsibility to serve God's church.
