Originally Posted by Pilgrim
This has been an unfortunate error, I believe, among Dutch and some Presbyterian churches; to make a tri-fold distinction within the 2 offices mentioned in the NT, i.e., "ruling" and "preaching" Elders. I only see one office of Elder within which some are given the gift to preach more than others. However, ALL are to be "apt to teach" and I see nowhere a distinction of the ones gifted to preach that they are not to rule. Their conclusion; last sentence, has absolutely no bearing whatsoever upon this tri-fold distinction and I'm totally confused as to how they came to this conclusion logically. scratch1

Ah, those stupid Dutch people how unfortunate, 450 years of TRADITION down the drain.