Are the overcomers in Revelation 2-3 all the believers in fellowship? If that is so, does it suggest that unbelievers were also "in fellowship"?
To the first part of the question one must answer yes! It is taught by some that not every believer is an overcomer and that therefore they must be a special and spiritual class distinct from other believers in fellowship. Some have used this interpretation to teach the wrong doctrine of the partial Rapture, i.e. unless you are holy and spiritual you will not participate in the Rapture of the Church. One cannot accept this view; for one thing all the promises mentioned to the overcomers are all blessings not peculiar to a special class, but rather common to every believer. Note, for example, "shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev 2.11), and "I will not blot out his name from the book of life" (Rev 3.5). These are assurances to believers of their eternal security.
We regard the overcomers in the seven churches to be genuine believers in Christ, not in contrast to other believers, but to those who, although in assembly fellowship, are nevertheless not real. It is therefore a matter of what is genuine. It is wrong to assume that it is not possible to have an unbeliever in assembly fellowship either in the early churches in the time of Revelation 2 and 3, or even in assemblies of our day. The Apostle John's statement in 1 John 5.4, "Whosoever is born of God overcometh the world", should be enough to make clear that all who are truly born again are overcomers. If further proof is needed the Lord shows in Revelation 21.7 & 8 that there are only two classes: the true believer who overcomes, and the fearful and unbelieving, etc. A genuine believer will prove his or her profession of faith by being consistent and continuing in the Christian life (Col 1.23).
John J Stubbs
How does the assembly recognise an elder, and what action should be taken when one who is recognised as an elder clearly does not fulfil his responsibilities?
During the infant state of the church, while the Word of God was incomplete, the presence of an apostle or apostolic delegate (e.g. Titus 1.5) was needed in relation to newly-planted assemblies for the recognition of elders.
When ultimately the apostles were removed, God's gracious provision for the guidance of His people was (and is) the full canon of Scripture. There is no outside body of persons with the right to appoint elders; much less right has a local church to select its own elders - the assembly is not a democratic institution.
It is the Holy Spirit who appoints elders or overseers through the Word of God; when Paul addresses the elders from the church, he says "the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers" (Acts 20.28). In 1 Timothy the qualities to be seen in elders are presented for the benefit of one who is aspiring to take up the work of an overseer: "If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work" (1 Tim 3.1). However, in Titus 1 the features set forth are to be a guide to those in the assembly for the recognition of elders. If the Holy Spirit has made a man an overseer, then no man or body of men can prevent him from being one. On the other hand, if the Holy Spirit has not made a man an overseer then nothing and no one will ever succeed in making him one.
The following approach might well be considered for the recognition of an elder today. As in all matters relating to the local assembly, the present overseers should take the lead. When they see a brother manifesting the features required in an overseer and witness that he is, within his own capacity, endeavouring to shepherd the flock, they should take him aside and express their confidence in him. They would not "invite him to join the oversight" (an expression commonly used) but would suggest that if he himself felt exercised to associate himself with them, then they would express their confidence in him in a more public way and, on behalf of the brother, call for the support and encouragement of the assembly.
It needs to be acknowledged that "overseership" is not an office, but rather it is a work. If a brother, hitherto recognised as an elder, ceases to manifest the qualifications of an overseer and fails to carry out his responsibilities, he will soon lose the confidence of the assembly and the believers will cease to recognise him as an elder though he be one in name.
David E West
