In the abundance of counselors there is wisdom (Proverbs 11:14). Since the days of the Apostles, leadership authority has rested in elders who come together in a council to provide Spirit-led advice. A council or "plurality" of elders prayerfully communicates divine wisdom, as in Acts 13:1-3, Acts 20:17-38, 2 John 1, and 3 John 1.
In Titus 1:5, Titus appointed elders in every town. This appointment process parallels the process used by Moses to appoint 70 elders in Numbers 11:16-25 and Deuteronomy 21:15-17.
In 1 Timothy 4:11-16, Paul reminds Timothy of a time when a "council of elders" laid hands on him. This is one of many Biblical examples of advice from multiple counselors being personalized. The personal attention and advice given Timothy parallels what happened when elders supported Moses during the covenant meal at Sinai (Exodus 24:9-11 ), demanded that Samuel appoint a king (1 Samuel 8:4-5 ), helped David secure the throne (2 Samuel 3:17; 2 Samuel 5:3; 2 Samuel 17:15; 2 Samuel 19:11-12 ) and represented the people at the consecration of the Temple of Solomon (1Kings 8:1,1 Kings 8:3). Throughout Deuteronomy, the elders made divine teachings personal as they administered justice, sat as judges at the city gate (Deuteronomy 22:15 ), decided cases affecting family life (Deuteronomy 21:18-21 , Deuteronomy 22:13-21 ), and executed decisions (Deuteronomy 19:11-13; Deuteronomy 21:1-9).
Today we have the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent in Christ's name, to teach us all things and remind us of everything said to believers (John 14:26). So that believers can be "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind" (Philippians 2:2), we can turn to mature believers who give consistent advice based on God's word and Spirit.
While we might all like personal relationships with a board of Spirit-led elders to help us make wise decisions, reasonable alternatives are now a click away. We can have our own Council of 70 elders by turning to authors who prayerfully give counsel based on the Whole Counsel of Scripture. Seventy authors with eBooks providing God-honoring counsel* are here:
*Wise counsel apart from the local church is available from authors who prayerfully apply Scripture to life issues. Of course, we also need shepherding from a pastor who may share responsibilities with trained Biblical counselors. Anyone seeking Biblical counsel should contact his/her pastor and/or consider clicking to access wise counsel through links at www.BiblicalCounsel.org.