The importance of the office of Elder is everywhere evident in Scripture:

1. The continuity of the office from the O.T. into the N.T: While men were called and appointed to the specific offices of prophet, priest, and king in the O.T., it is the office of elder that is continued into the N.T. as a particular office that is still held by particular men. We recognize that the three offices of prophet, priest, and king converge and continue in Christ, and also in all Christians in some sense. But it is only the particular office of Elder that continues as a specific office that is held by some men and not others.