The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Nelly Kaye of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada, from the tape, GC 1301-H, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 10."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. ©1978. All Rights Reserved.

Question

In the standards for a deacon or an elder, in Timothy and Titus, are those things that are given as standards there, things that have to be true of a man’s whole life, or just the present?

Answer

Very simply, just the present, just the present. But, and watch this one, if a man is to be an elder in the church of Jesus Christ, his present has to be long enough a period of righteousness to be believable. Okay? We wouldn’t say, oh boy, he’s great this week, make him an elder. It should be a period of time in which he is proven himself.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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