“Elders in the priesthood” — Section 15
Can young single Latter-day Saint men truly be ‘elders’?
Representative of a Christian church:
Sir, I maintain that the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not elders as defined in scriptures. Titus 1:5-6 states that an elder must be married, the husband of one wife, and have faithful children. Timothy, writing to Titus, said, “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: if any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot or unruly.” Since the two young men represented here are not married, they do not qualify as elders.
Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Sir, let’s talk about your interpretation of the scripture in Titus. It is crucial that we also read verse 7 in that chapter. This proves plainly that this passage of scripture was referring to presiding elders, or bishops. I refer you to the first four words in verse 6 and the first six words in verse 7. Notice that the elder (verse 6) had to be blameless (verse 6) to be a bishop (verse 7) who was blameless. 1 Timothy 3:1-4 reaffirms this scriptural claim. Those verses also state that a bishop (a presiding elder) must be blameless and the husband of one wife. Now I would ask a question of you, sir. Was the apostle Paul married?
Representative of a Christian church:
No, he was not married. 1 Corinthians 7:7-9 directly indicates that Paul was single.
Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
You state, then, that Paul was single. We read in 1 Timothy 4:14 of Paul’s advice to his former companion in the ministry, Timothy. He tells him not to neglect the gift that is within him, which was given him by prophecy, by the laying on of hands of the presbytery. Bible dictionaries explain that the presbytery was comprised of elders. We read in 2 Timothy 1:6 what Paul said to Timothy: “Wherefore, I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” This makes the point clearly — the presbytery gave Timothy this gift of God and Paul was one of the presbytery or elders, and since Paul was not married, elders can be single. In most Bible aids or references, 2 Timothy 1:6 refers one to 1 Timothy 4:14. These scriptures prove the point we are making, and also that Titus 1:5-6 was referring to presiding Elders or Bishops. It also establishes that elders can be married or single. I would point out other evidence that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does indeed have elders. In James 5:14 it asks, “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” We do indeed have elders who anoint with oil, and exercise prayers of faith in behalf of the sick, and the Lord, according to His will, raises up the sick. We have spiritual gifts in the Church, including the gift of healing. I would ask all of you representatives of Christian religions if you also follow this New Testament pattern of anointing and healing. Might I make another point? Mark 6:12-13 establishes that the apostles were also elders. We read, “And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.” We go on to read in John 20:23, “Whose so ever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them’ and whose so ever sins ye retain, they are retained.” Compared with James 5:14, we find identical qualifications in the elders and the apostles, that is, anointing the sick and remitting sins through inspiration of the Lord. We would be happy to hear any comments from your representatives.
Representative of a Christian church:
Our elders do not heal the sick because when the perfect word of God came in, the miracles ceased.
Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
I do not believe that there is a Biblical scripture that supports your stand, and according to Mark 16:17-18, the spiritual gifts were to FOLLOW.
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