In the church of the Old Testament, elders were the fathers of the tribes, and had the government in a great measure committed to them. Hence when the Lord appeared unto Moses at the bush, with a view to reveal himself in the deliverance of the people; he said, "Go and gather the elders of Israel together." (Exodus 3:16) In the New Testament church, the term seems to be generally applied to fathers and governors of families. Peter called himself an elder. (1 Peter 5:1)