QUALIFICATIONS—EXPERIENCE

An elder must have had experience that gives him the needed wisdom in ruling God’s people. "Not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil." 1 Tim. 3:6.

"Not a novice" (neophutos neofutos) is defined as:

Kubo – neophyte, newly converted.

Green – newly or recently planted; met. a neophyte, one newly implanted into the christian church, a new convert.

Vine – an adjective, lit., newly-planted…, denotes a new convert, neophyte, novice, 1 Tim. 3:6, of one who by inexperience is unfitted to act as bishop or overseer in a church.

Thayer – newly planted…; trop. a new convert, neophyte, [A. V. novice], i.e., one who has recently become a Christian. 1 Tim. 3:6.

The development of Christianity is not attained in a day or even a year. It takes time to develop spiritually and demonstrate that development. The time that is necessary to develop Christianity in the life of a person varies with each individual. They must have been a Christian long enough to be able to handle the meat of the gospel. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Heb. 5:12-14. One who is not familiar with the circumstances in which he is placed can not do a good work as a bishop. He must be capable of doing the work assigned to him before he is appointed.

L. R. Wilson says, "a new convert should never be ordained an elder. He should be a man who has proved himself and his loyalty to the word of God."

Guy N. Woods states "a novice is a new convert and therefore an inexperienced person. A person lacking in experience and observation could not possibly assume and perform effectively the weighty responsibilities of the eldership.

"Regardless of his talents or past training he is still immature in spiritual matters. His knowledge is still lacking in too many of the fundamental areas. Seasoned judgment is not yet his in the Lord’s work. Neither by training nor by past experience is he able to cope with internal problems among members nor put to silence those who would assail the church from without or restructure it from within." Robert R. Taylor, Jr.

Paul gives as a reason an elder must not be a novice is that if a novice is appointed an elder that he might be lifted up with pride. "When pride come, then comes shame…" Prov. 11:2. "By pride comes only contention…" Prov. 13:10. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Prov. 16:18. "These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look,…" Prov. 6:16-17.

The second qualification in this group is found in the word "elder" itself. The word denotes the "maturity of spiritual experience," and who is able by age, maturity and experience is able to give leadership.

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