“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).
- 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
