1 Timothy 3:6

“and not. new convert”:

It takes time to become “apt to teach” (Hebrews 5:12).

To feed the flock, one must know more than just the milk of the word or just the first principles of Christianity. To do battle with false teachers, one must have. working knowledge of the word, and have experience (Titus 1:9; Acts 20:29 ff). The reason for this qualification is that in the first century various Jewish men became Christians who already might have possessed most of the qualifications already. Secondly, there is the temptation among Christians at times to appoint to the eldership. new convert who has. high profile in the community.

1 Timothy 3:6 “So that he will not become conceited”: Such. position of leadership and authority would be setting up this new convert for temptation. “To blind by pride and conceit” (Vincent p. 208). “The great danger to the novice is that his sudden elevation is likely to cause him to inflate with pride” (Kent p. 134). Please note that this new convert might be. very moral man and an extremely good husband and father, yet there is. big difference between being moral, and spiritual maturity that is able to handle. position of leadership.

1 Timothy 3:6 “And fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil”: The type of condemnation into which the devil fell.

Or this may be the condemnation that the devil tries to lay for man, by luring people into sin through pride: 1 John 2:15. Again we see God's wisdom. Often men try to appoint someone to. task in order to make them feel good, to make them feel welcome. The work of an elder is not merely honorary in nature. Those that become elders must be men of experience, humble men who realize their own true unimportance and importance, being an elder cannot go to their head, but must go to their feet, that is, get them busy in the work.