Reverend, Pastor, Bishop, Father

“Pastor,” a simple word used commonly or loosely today to refer to a “member of the clergy.”  No one seems to question its origin anymore and no one questions whether it is even Biblical to use. It’s just a common thing.  Other descriptors that fall into this pot are “Reverend,” “Father,” “Bishop” etc.   Some say, “they’re just titles” and that we shouldn’t make too much of it and just go with the flow.

First, Jesus said  Mt 23:9,10  "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.”  The reason for this is because Jesus saw the same thing happening in His day and he states – DON’T DO THAT!  There should be NONE in GOD’S HOUSE that seek elevation over another.  Well, if we aren’t to do that, then why do people do it?  The simple answer is that people don’t want to follow what God says. But, so that you can understand the history behind this in our own times, let’s do a little digging.

Even in the days of the Apostles, Paul warns  “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears…” 2 Tm.4:3 .   Likewise, Peter warns, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts”  2 Pt. 3:3.  One of the first of these deviations at the turn of the 1st and 2nd centuries, were local congregations were led by bishops, elders and presbyters leadership were overlapping or indistinguishable (Cambridge History of Christianity, vol. 1, 2006). While during that time there was probably no single "monarchical" leader before the middle of the 2nd century. However, this gave rise to “Eucemenism” derived from Greek οἰκουμένη (oikoumene), which means "the whole inhabited world", and was historically used with specific reference to the Roman Empire. It refers to the idea of a Christian unity in the literal meaning: that there should be a single Christian Church upon the earth, and if one church.  This gave rise to the first Ecumenical Council in Nicea under Roman Emperor Constantine to adapt a single creed under a nationally united “church.”  This was in 325 A.D. and by 606 A.D. the concept of a “Universal Bishop” had taken root and the “Pope” is born. Since that time, the New Testament concept of God’s Body has been shredded into an unrecognizable shadow.  Men have inserted their own words and will for God’s.   With the translation of the Bible into English which came with the split of the Church of England from the Catholic Church, King James in his development of the King James Version Bible, in rule #3 of his Rules of translation states that the “Ecclesiastical Terms” would not be changed to their original words used. The word Church would not to be translated Congregation, etc.  The reason behind this was for the support for ecclesiastical hierarchies to be written into the KJV bible (through the unbiblical concepts 'ranks' and 'ordination' were "written in", without any basis for that in the Hebrew or Greek text-JH).  As “Divine Head” of the Church of England,  James wanted the control “church” and subjects to be by a hierarchical system and therefore subject to the laws of England. He could not have a translation that allowed people to believe that any authority belonged to the common people.  As such, ”Church” was used in place of Congregation or Assembly, “Pastor” was used in place of Shepherd, the transliteration “Baptize” is used in place of Immerse , Hell is used indiscriminately in places where the original languages used “Grave”, “Realm of the Dead” etc. King James I in effect directed “that the translation adopt language supportive of episcopacy” (Historical Dictionary, p. 174).

Some might say that this Ecclesiasticism is right and taught in the scriptures (1 Tm.3; Tit.1).  Yet, it behooves us again to look at the term “office.”  “Office” signifies to us a position of power, dominance with underlings to which we issue orders.  Yet, if you examine the context of the statement, it is describing FUNCTION.  What is the FUNCTION of BISHOPS, ELDERS, OVERSEERS, PRESBYTERS?  Guidance, example, character, experience, wisdom, clear thinking and able teacher (1 Tm.3).  There is not anywhere in the text or context that any of these functions are spoken of as dictators, dominators, legislators or givers of God’s law.  If anything, they are SERVANTS, in the function of guidance, example, character, experience, wisdom, clear thinking, leadership and teaching.  In fact, 1 Pet.5:8 states that they are NOT to LORD over God’s heritage. It is NOT a title, office, position, that allows any men or man to “make decisions for the church.”  Theirs is a cooperative function WITH the body to operate together as a FUNCTIONAL unit to bring God glory and bring its people to building itself up in love (Eph.4).

• Reverend? -  Scripture SAYS Psa 111:9  He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. 
• PASTOR? - only in Guidance, example, character, experience, wisdom, clear thinking and able teacher (1 Tm.3)
• FATHER? Mt 23:9,10  "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.” 

There IS NO CLERGY in God’s book!  There is no DOMINATING, DICTATING or anything like it by MEN!  Christ is the Head of the Congregation, it is HIS, bought with HIS BLOOD, and all knees bow to HIM!   I know that people mean well when they refer to someone as “Pastor.” But, this does not make it right.  If we are going to use statements like that, then use them Biblically  - or not at all.

Jim