In this sense age is the only consideration. In this sense the aged person must possess certain special qualifications. The office of elder cannot be bestowed upon a youth, nor even upon an old man who is young in the faith. Since experience is essential as well as years, an elder may not be a novice. The word of God does not specify the calendar age at which one may qualify, for wisdom and ability are not always to be determined by birthday anniversaries.
Likewise society recognizes when one has become settled and sedate.
Every synagogue had its elders and deacons, and the qualifications were much the same as those specified for officers in the Christian church. If the Holy Spirit had not legislated a form of government for the congregations of the Messiah, it is almost certain that those composed of Jews would have selected a presbytery for each local unit. Indeed the primitive Jewish converts to the Nazarene had no idea of organizing a separate body outside the pale of Judaism, but expected to constitute a synagogue composed of Jews and proselytes who recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies. Consequently, if an entire synagogue became convinced that the Nazarene was the Messiah, there was required no particular change in government, officers, procedure or corporate worship. The introduction of the Lord's Supper as a memorial of the Messiah's death would be the only essential addition.