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The word pastors(plural) is mentioned a few times in the Old Testament and once in the New.
Thanks be to God for His Holy Word. All -(both old and new)scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...
But THANKS be to GOD for the NEW! We don't have to slay any lamb anymore! We don't have to sprinkle any blood on the door! For someone has come! Taken the place of the lamb, that is JESUS, the GREAT, I AM.
Moreover, HE ALONE is our High priest. We have no more priesthood ruling over a "laity" class. But we are now ONE body with ONE head.
Below you will find verses of scripture where you can see for yourself what the WORD of the LORD has to say about leadership:
The term bishop is synonymous with elder as evidenced in Titus 1:5,7 The very nature of this function of the body is to oversee; which carries with it grave responsibility.
Titus 1:5-7 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God;
The Lord provided us with very specific requirements that we are to follow in qualifying bishops/overseers/elders. Men who desire the office of a bishop desire a good work, but may only serve as such if they meet the Lord's requirements found in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1:5-16
Again, below is the Word of God on the subject of biblical, church leadership:
Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
Acts 15:6 And the apostles andelders came together for to consider of this matter.
Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
Acts 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Hebrews 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Revelation 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Revelation 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Revelation 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Revelation 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
Revelation 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Revelation 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
Revelation 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Revelation 19:4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (In most modern church circles, the letter would read "To the Pastor and pastor's wife." And it would be known that of course another minister wouldn't be wasting time writing to a lowly saint! It's clergy "with" clergy and no saints allowed. Whereas we see in the word of God, the letter was primarily addressed from Paul the apostle and Timothy TO "the saints!" who were "with" meaning "together" , with the bishops and deacons.
I Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
I Timothy 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
I Timothy 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
I Timothy 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Does your local assembly have elders also known as bishops or overseers? Or do you have a lone, pastor/priest? Does your local assembly have servant/deacons? Or is this vital ministry looked down upon, sneered at or simply ignored? Do apostolic and prophetic leaders write love letters to you, the saints -the local church as a whole? Or is the majority of communication between "clergy" behind closed doors with the solo pastor/priest alone and kept secret from you the "laity?"
And oh, I don't know about you, but I WANT elders in my life! We have plenty of young whipper snappers running all around the country and trying to build up their own kingdom. But O for elder men and women with love and wisdom and guidance and a willingness to impart it. Give me the old over the new in that way, anyday. The Flavor of Real Christianity Read what Luke tell us about Jesus and His mission in Luke Chapter 24 taking note of verse 47, " And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:47 The message is still the same: Repent and have your sins remitted! It's a glorious message and one the world is dying for. Indeed there is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. Jesus is building One Church. It is a glorious church, without spot or blemish. And it is the Lord's will that there be one, local manifestation of his body (the church) in your town or village or city. God's plan for Church government has nothing to do with an organized/institutionalized, man-made hierarchy, nor an elite, clergy class, lording over the so called "laity." But God has ordained that elders and deacons, together with the saints should serve the Lord.
Oh for men who are willing to preach and teach repentance the way John did, the way Jesus did. Oh for a clear note and a certain sound to call the saints of God in the earth to do mighty exploits in the name of Jesus today. Oh for wisdom and knowledge and understanding and for the Lord to graciously lead and guide and teach his servants to do His will. Send forth laborers into your harvest LORD. Send them any way you choose. And may we thankfully receive any laborers you send, be it even through our very wombs.
