Robert Rayburn argues convincingly in his famous essay Ministers, Elders, and Deacons that the Old Covenant structure assumes a three-office view in that “the eldership was a ruling office only and was clearly differentiated in membership, status, calling, and responsibility from the office of Word and Sacrament.” Thus, the functions of eldership and priest are carried into the apostolic church.
Catholicity, Orthodoxy, and Lordship