… I appeal as a fellow elder …
Summary: How Peter addresses the people he is writing to is important. Making his appeal as a ”fellow elder” is a window into how God’s church works.
In our last meditation, we looked at the term “elder” as referring to someone who has lived a long life. Today Peter appeals to the elders of the churches he writes to as a “fellow elder.” In this sense of the word, “elder” refers to a title given to someone who presides over a Christian assembly or congregation.
It is interesting to me that Peter feels the need to “appeal” to the elders of these churches. After all, he is one of the original twelve disciples. He knew Jesus personally. Peter witnessed our Lord’s teachings and miracles first-hand. Peter saw the resurrected Christ, talked with Him, and ate with Him. Yet, Peter appeals to his fellow elders. This is the same Peter some believe the Church was to be built on. It is he who would have the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.” [See Matthew 16:18-19] I admire his humility. He is not declaring himself in authority over others. Instead, he is appealing to those in authority over others.
Since Jesus ascended into heaven, The Church has been under assault. The world did not change simply because the Creator paid a visit. The same kinds of people who killed Jesus still existed after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. The same tempter who tempted Adam and Eve still slithers in the shadows. The Church needs leadership. Elders, bishops, overseers, and deacons represent important parts of the Body of Christ on earth. Yet, people are human. We are flawed. We disagree and argue.
Two thousand years after Jesus walked the earth, the Church looks rather fractured from the human point of view. History is littered with the theological arguments of men with giant egos. The Church has been gnawed at by those who teach a false or twisted version of the Gospel. From where we stand here on earth, things look grim.
From God’s perspective, nothing has changed. Since the days His Son walked the earth, His Spirit has been at work. The wheat is still the wheat, and the chaff is still the chaff (Matthew 13: 24-30). Looking down from heaven, God sees not only our flesh but our spirits. He knows the heart that seeks him and the heart that yearns for something else.
Peter understands that his message is not merely human words. He knows better. He knows the living God. His words affirm the writings of the New Testament. He does not need to write from a position of human authority. Because God lives, Peter is free to appeal as a fellow elder.
Application: Trust that God is in charge and has not forgotten His church.
Food for Thought: How would an elder receiving this letter from Peter feel about being referred to as a ”fellow elder” by Peter himself?
Another great devotion brother.
I think that Peter’s appeal as a fellow elder would be humbling to receive. It displays unity and brotherhood instead of authority. He is one of them. He is one with them. He is modeling the unity and humility that all leaders need. This is also a great example to us. If we follow this example we become more like the church for which Jesus prayed (John 17: 20 – 26).
Thank you, Rich. I always appreciate your encouragement! 🙂
In some sense, worldly authority is the enemy of the church. Yet the church, being in the world, also needs to exercise authority. It is a conundrum which, in my humble opinion, can only be navigated by complete dependance on God and adherence to His Word.
How would an elder receiving this letter from Peter feel about being referred to as a ”fellow elder” by Peter himself?
I believe he would be humbled. Peter, walked with and was taught directly by Christ as one of His disciples. Renamed the Rock upon whom Jesus would build His church.
Todays believers should feel humbled by the gift given to each of us. We have been granted full access to God in prayer and His word through the power of the Holy Spirit. John 5:39, Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Jesus is not telling us we should ignore the powerful resource we have in speaking with brothers in the Lord, we can seek counsel through Gods word together.
We should also devote a portion of our time each day to quiet, prayerful study of God’s word under the guidance of His Holy Spirit. My wife’s best friend is a lady at our church. She has been a christian and member of our church for about 30 years. A wonderful lady, highly regarded by all and does not miss a Sunday. She always has her bible but does not devote any time to private study. For about 3 years now, my wife has been involved in two online group bible studies and has been trying to get her friend interested. My wife would even print the study lessons, questions and notes ( in Chinese ) give them to her, but she never studied. This year she got her friend to sign up for a class where she prayerfully studies with the Holy Spirit each day, meets weekly with the group on line and discuses the lesson with other ladies.
She called my wife the other night saying thank you, thank you, thank you! She went on and on about how she had read the Bible before, but had never really understood it’s meaning and how it applied to her life today. She is loving her time with God and now calls my wife more often so they can talk about what they are learning and how great our God is.
We should all be humbled by what our God has done for us, spend time with Him through His word, and begin enjoying the LIFE, the RELATIONSHIP He give all who actively seek His companionship.
Joshua 1:8, Proverbs 30:5, Acts 17:2, Romans 10:17; 15:4, 2Timothy 3:16
Link added – je
Ron,
Thank you so much for your reflections on Scripture today. I love the tie-in to Peter’s attitude towards the elders.
Your story about your wife’s friend is a GREAT reminder that we all need to be in God’s Word every day. Every year I become more and more convinced that being in God’s Word every day is essential for Christian life.
👍🏻