Query.

By: Edited By W. J. Hocking.

NEMO. — IF TIMOTHY AND TITUS MIGHT ORDAIN ELDERS, WHY NOT OTHERS SUBSEQUENT TO THE APOSTLES’ DAY? — The cases of Timothy and Titus ordaining or appointing elders or bishops are quite unique. Ordinarily it was an apostolic function (Acts 14:28²⁸And there they abode long time with the disciples. (Acts 14:28)). In the special wisdom given alone to them for the planting of Christian assemblies, they chose suitable persons to be over the saints in the Lord, usually several in each assembly (Acts 15:2; 20:17²When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. (Acts 15:2)
¹⁷And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. (Acts 20:17)). From prison Paul wrote to these two servants, instructing them as to the necessary qualities of bishops and deacons. The letters constituted a written apostolic authority on which Timothy and Titus were to act. But as this warrant was issued to them personally, no one else can claim a similar right.