Theory of the Eldership [pp. 702-759]

Theory of the Eldership.
stood ruling elders, which, however, we must omit. Separate
fromnt such quotations, the proofs founded upon plurality of presbyters, and upon the existence of other persons called seniores
plebis, seniors of the people-(not ruling elders nor presbyters,
but seniores)*-and there is not a particle of proof that the
PRESBYTERS of the Fathers were, in any case, any other than
ministers authorized to preach and administer ordinances.
"Nothing," says Vitringa, "is more certain, nothing inr all ancient history is more determined," than that presbyters "were
part of the clergy, like the bishops, or, if you please, like the
ministers of the word of our time, having power to administer
sacraments, baptize, anoint, preside at the Lord's Supper, distribute the elements, bless the people," &c., "and that in the
oriental churches presbyters were preachers equally with bishops,
is a fact beyond dispute."t By an examination of evidence analogous to that of the statue of HIlippolytus, Rothe has concluded
that the senioresplebis were civil magistrates. At any rate they
were laymen, (plebis) representatives of the people, not even
called presbyters, but enumerated after, and in addition to
them, and were confined to the North African churches.t
1 Timothy v. 17, examined.
We have now examined every ground upon which this theory
attempts to establish the claim of ruling elders to be the presbyters of Scripture except one. We have seen that in the
New Testament the term presbyter refers to ministers of the
word "able to teach others also," and to commit their office,
by ordination, to faithful men in perpetuated succession.
We are now, therefore, prepared to take up the consideration of the only passage in which apparent authority has ever
been found for the theory which makes presbyters one order of
rulers with two classes, that is, 1 Tim. v. 17. As translated
by Alford, the words are, "Let the presbyters, (7pEOwr(Vvo0t)
who have well-presided, (over their portion of the church's
* That these seniores were not church officers at all is the opinion of Vitringa. SeeVitringa at length at p. 511, &c. He is of opinion that a reference
to them does the cause of ruling elders more harm than good.
t See page 489, 511. ~ Ibid.
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