Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: May 18, 2008
ELDERS AS WATCHMEN -- # 2
Ben Justice
No doubt, the best two contexts found in the Old Testament describing the role and
responsibilities of a watchman are found in Ezekiel 3:17-21 and 33:1-20. Space forbids
typing out all of these verses. Elders are highly encouraged to study these scriptures and
then do some self-examination in light of carrying out their own responsibilities as
watchmen in the church. Note the following points to be gleaned from these two contexts.
1.) God made Ezekiel a watchman (3:17; 33:7). It was not man’s doing. God,
therefore, wanted someone to function in the role of giving warning to the nation of Israel.
Elders in each local congregation (Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:5) is likewise God’s doing
(Acts 20:28). Rebellion against God’s chosen leaders in Israel brought punishment to
those who rebelled (cf. Num. 16:1ff). It amounted to rebellion against God. Many today
are rebelling against elders in spiritual Israel. The New Testament is clear that elders, as
bishops (overseers), have authority and that members are obligated to obey that authority
in matters of expediency (Heb. 13:17).
2.) Ezekiel, as a watchman, was to give Israel “warning” from God (3:17; 33:7). It is
utterly impossible to divorce warning from watching. What is the point of being a
watchman if warning is not necessary? Elders in the church today desperately need to
learn this lesson. Sadly, many elders are not warning the flock of danger. I have seen very
few elders who really understood what it meant to be an elder. Too many simply have their
name on the church stationary. In Acts 20:28, Paul straitly commanded the Ephesian
elders to “feed the church of God.” The word “feed” means more than just feeding food
(although it certainly includes that). The original word has to do with everything a
shepherd would do to care for and provide for his sheep. Inherent in the word is that of
nurturing, disciplining, protecting, watching, and feeding. The present tense is employed
denoting continuous action. How many elders will or even can stand before the
congregation and warn the congregation in exposing error. An important point to keep in
mind is that warning is always based upon perception. If one does not perceive danger,
then they obviously will not warn. But, isn’t this the problem all too often in the church?
Many elders couldn’t perceive error if they ran over it in the road. Listen to the words of
Paul concerning the duty of elders: “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and
deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert
whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake” (Titus 1:10-
11). We have too many elders who are afraid of hurting someone’s feelings or offending
someone. It never occurred to them that some folk need to be offended. Elders need to
have the courage to stand before the congregation and mark erring congregations (cf. Rom.
16:17; Eph. 5:11).
3.) Ezekiel, as a watchman, was held accountable by God (3:18-21; 33:8-9). He would
have to answer as to how he discharged his responsibilities as a watchman. Likewise,
elders will give account to God on the day of judgment. “Obey them that have the rule over
you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account,
that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:
17). Sadly, many elders have forgotten that they will stand before King Jesus and give
account.
There are many more valuable lessons to be gleaned from Ezekiel’s account. Here are
some things elders must do if they are to be true watchmen in the church:
1.) Thoroughly question those who solicit support and those who are invited to hold a
Gospel meeting or speak on a lectureship. Many elders don’t ask a single question
concerning where someone might doctrinally or morally stand. I have been invited to
speak at various places in which not one single question was ever asked of me concerning
where I stand on doctrinal issues. The elders just took it for granted that I was sound in
the faith. If elders are truly concerned with being watchmen, then they must put forth the
extra effort and question all those whom they invite.
2.) Elders must practice corrective church discipline as the Bible teaches. I am
convinced that much if not all of the apostasy could have prevented or greatly curtailed if
elders had simply gotten the sin out of the camp. Instead, they allowed it to run rampant;
they have the devilish notion that love will just overlook sin.
3.) Elders must make sure sound doctrine is taught both from the pulpit and the
classrooms. This includes what kind of man they hire as an evangelist, what kind of
teachers occupy the classroom, who they invite for gospel meetings and lectureships, what
reading material they allow into the congregation, etc.
4.) Elders must question those who desire to place membership from other
congregations. Some don’t like this, but elders are simply being watchmen over the
congregation in protecting the purity of the local church of which they oversee.
5.) Elders must make sure that only faithful brethren are allowed to serve in the
worship services of the church. Elderships are certainly not looking out for the flock when
they allow those in sin to serve in the worship services of the church.
6.) Elders must know where area congregations stand. Area congregations have a way
of affecting and many times infecting other area congregations. This is just a fact. This
especially applies to brotherhood schools.
7.) Elders ought to stand in the pulpit and defend their preacher when he preaches a
needed sermon. There is nothing that upsets the relationship between the preacher and
his elders more so than when the elders don’t support him publicly before the
congregation. The congregation needs to know that the elders support and back the
preacher in preaching the whole counsel of God and calling attention to sin either in the
congregation or other congregations.
What we need in the church are not mere figureheads but real elders who take their job
seriously realizing that they are watchmen over the house of God.